Here's a short and sweet video illustrating how the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park completely transformed the flora, the fauna, and the rivers--all for the better, IMHO.  Thank you Mike Close for sending me this link!

March can be wild and windy or sunny and serene, sometimes all in the same day!

This past week welcomed all sorts of mountain activity: scenic flights to Telluride, hiking jacket-less to check on our red-tail hawks, and skiing in Aspen with the Covello gang--Tim, Tim and Carol (among others).  Judge Tim and Cat Herder enjoyed cruising the greens and easy blues, while Tim Jr., Collin and others bombed down the steep stuff!  A photo is (hopefully) forthcoming.  Timmy??

President Obama on Tuesday moved to preserve more than 1,600 acres of coastal land in Northern California by declaring them part of a national monument. Point Arena-Stornetta, a 12-mile stretch of coast made up of federal and state public lands, is about 140 miles north of San Francisco. It will now be part of the California Coastal National Monument, a marine boundary that includes islands, rocks and reefs owned by the United States and within 12 miles of California’s 1,100-mile coast. Point Arena-Stornetta is the first shoreline portion of the monument. “It is a place where scientists do research; where people who just want to experience the great outdoors can take advantage of it,” Mr. Obama said before signing the proclamation. The newly expanded coastal monument is home to a variety of fauna and flora, among them Steller sea lions, Behren’s silverspot butterfly, rare bird species like the black oystercatcher, and a bishop pine forest.


New York Times, Andres Siddons, March 11, 2014

Disturbing news from the New York Times regarding poaching of redwood trees in our beloved Redwood National Park.

"Illegal redwood poaching impacts one of the most sensitive resources in Redwood National & State Parks, a designated World Heritage and International Biosphere Reserve, injuring live trees that can live up to 2,000 years old, but also causing related impacts to scenic qualities and threatening endangered species."

Read the whole article here.

After what was declared by one seasoned Parkwest veteran to be her "favorite Parkwest trip yet," Cat Herder can report that everyone has made it back to their respective homes--mostly in the cold country.  Collin was the last to see his hangar, as he had Commemorative Air Force business in Midland, TX all weekend long.  The real whopper?  Leaving behind Mexico's sunny skies for freezing rain and a 50-kt headwind to end the trip!  Hard to believe that just two weeks ago today we were launched for Baja California (and a 3-hour long entry process)!

“Travel brings wisdom only to the wise. It renders the ignorant more ignorant than ever.” J. Abercrombie