Elk Lake Christmas Memories

Some things are worth repeating over and over again. Christmas is definitely one! In our family, Christmas has always been a time of celebration and feasting with family and friends. Early in our married life, we joined together with family - usually at one of the parents' homes.

Once the kids came along (and we got a bigger house), we began hosting Christmas at our house. When we moved across the state, it wasn't as easy or as practical to gather with family. That's when our gathering began to be populated with friends. In fact, before we moved to Elk Lake Resort, it wasn't uncommon for 20 to 25 of us to sit down to Christmas dinner.

Now our only winter access is by snowmobile. This makes it a little harder for friends and family to reach us. However, some die-hard friends are not above bundling up the whole family (this year our youngest had just celebrated his 1st birthday in August) and making the trek.

And, in keeping with our more remote location, we've increased the time spent together. Now, instead of a long day, we spend a week enjoying each other - feasting each night, playing games, frolicking in the snow, snowmobiling, and whatever else sounds like fun at the moment. This is when we get to enjoy Elk Lake to the fullest - the way our guests do it.

Those who do not live in the 'wild west' probably have a hard time imagining living so close to the great outdoors. Instead of delayed flights, traffic jams, and busy shopping malls, we deal with cold (sometimes bitterly) temperatures, extended drives to the 'coveniences' of life, and snow drifts which threaten to swallow our machines. But, I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else.

In fact, as I read the recent Christmas in YNP article in the Billings Gazette, I was reminded how much our lives can still parallel those of our forefathers and mothers. Candlelight services. Wildlife traffic jams. Cold trips. Deep snow. Week-long celebrations. Time to enjoy good friends and good food while we recount our blessings.

That's part of what makes life worth living - and, here at Elk Lake, we enjoy doing just that!

Lady of the Lake

From Montana to Costa Rica and Back Again!

Talk about temperature shock. Less than a week ago we were sweltering in mid 70 to upper 80 degree weather (and a humidity level way up there) on the south-western coast of Costa Rica ("Beautiful Coast"). Two days ago Elk Lake Resort welcomed us back to 17 degrees below zero! I'm not sure my 'thinned' blood has warmed since I got back home.

Nevertheless, I'm so very glad to be here. Outside my window a light snow is falling, adding its splendor to the beautiful white blanket covering the ground. As much as I enjoyed the tropical splendors of Costa Rica, nothing compares to the beauty and serenity of the Centennial Valley.

And, yet, many things about Costa Rica 'felt' like home (I'm speaking of the Centennial Valley in particular here). The natural beauty, the friendly people, the slower pace of life (at least when we're not in the middle of our busy season), and even the roads.

In fact, I finally figured out where Beaverhead County learned to build roads. They visited Costa Rica! Sadly, however, Costa Rica is moving ahead, improving their country's infastructure. On the other hand, Beaverhead County appears to have no desire to move the Centennial Valley into the 20th century (at least when it comes to roads - now if we're talking taxes, that's a whole different arena all together).

However, on a more positive note. Costa Rica is a country loaded with natural beauty. The flora and fauna are incredibly colorful. Many of the birds proudly display brilliant plumage. Even the degrees of green in the jungle foliage are diverse and varied. Top that off with pristine south-western beaches. Here one can still find unspoiled and unpopulated sandy beaches boarded by palm trees and rugged cliffs. If that isn't enough, awesome sunsets throw flaming reds and golds across the sky.

One might think, from my adulation, the Centennial Valley has dimmed in my eyes. Never fear! Costa Rica can't hold a candle to the sheer vastness of our wild open spaces. In fact, Costa Rica is almost claustrophic by comparison. Our countryside seems to welcome entry and exploration. Their countryside seems to do all it can to bar intruders. Unless you're armed with a machette and several gallons of water (to replace all you're going to loose in sweat), you won't be wandering far off the 'beaten path' in Costa Rica.

I must say, however, the Costa Rican people made us feel right at home, even when we couldn't speak their language (which was all the time unless they could speak ours). In fact, I had two occasions where I needed to communicate something, but I didn't speak Spanish and my would-be 'helper' didn't speak English. Believe it our not, we figured it out!

In the first instance I needed to call home. In our little town, Ojochal, there was a small C-Store (I can't remember what they call them, but that is a close description) which offered a 'public' phone. In other words, they would let us use their phone. We were then to pay them for the call.
My helper, a young man in his mid-teens, didn't speak English. I wrote the phone number I wished to call on a piece of cardboard. He dialed the operator, placed the call, and handed me the phone. (At this point no money had changed hands). When I finished my call, I offered to pay (held out money). He held up his hand for me to wait and called the operator back. After a brief conversation with her, he handed me the phone. Fortunately she could speak English. Long story short, she told me how much to pay him - and told him how much I owed. I passed over the money (and a tip for his time and help), and we called things good. Amazing!

My second helper came along when I desperately needed a bathroom. We were waiting for the road crew to fix the only bridge heading North out of town (the nearest 'detour' was over 8 hours out of the way). After waiting nearly an hour we learned they estimated repairs to take another hour. I went in search of a bathroom. Fortunately my helper, an older gentelman this time, had a better understanding of basic English than I did of basic Spanish. When I asked for a bathroom, he pointed at what looked like a closet. When I asked again, he pointed again. Sure enough, he'd gotten my point.

Here in the Centennial, people are friendly too. Costa Rican's don't have us beat here. I've heard many stories (and been involved in a few too) of people stranded or in need of assistance here in the valley. When you get stranded here, it feels like you're in a foreign country. It's just soooo far to the outside world. However, in each case our valley residents and visitors have stepped in to lend a hand.

The primary difference, from my point of view, is Costa Rica is all about people. While our nearest neighbor is over 15 miles away, Costa Rica packs hundreds into its villages and millions into its cities. It may be many miles between villages, but the jungle keeps people (for the most part), contained. So, there is little chance to feel the seclusion which the Centennial Valley offers.
Last, but not least is the slower pace of life. Here I found the most similarity between Costa Rica and the Centennial Valley. People had time to visit. They seemed to enjoy one another's company. You didn't see much of the American 'keep up with the Jones' syndrome. People worked hard and relaxed freely. Much work was done by hand - and sweat wasn't something to avoid. There were no three-piece suits. Although it seemed most Costa Ricans had a cell phone (just a few short years ago the town only had a single land-line phone), many didn't have a car. Most of all, they seemed content to live where they were. You didn't see the need to move which predominates Western society.

Here are several lessons we, Americans, could learn. Fortunately in the Centennial, most families still make their living close to the land. They still believe in hard work and healthy sweat. Neighbors are still important. Friendships are still honored - even when it hurts. And, most people who live in the Centennial can't imagine living anywhere else. This is home, and they love it!

All in all, I think the two biggest contrasts I found between home and Costa Rica were the temperatures (100 degrees is quite noticeable) and the unfriendly jungle as compared to our wide open spaces. I loved our trip. I highly admire the Costa Rican people. I can see why so many Europeans (there are a LOT of them down there) now call that little country home. They, too, have found what most of America and Europe has forgotten - how to slow down and live without overwhelming governmental control and unlimited handouts.

For those of you who think Costa Rica might be worth a visit (I'd recommend it), check out La Casa De Tierra. Set on 55 private acres in the middle of the jungle, this single-family home provided us a private 'get away' while we enjoyed Costa Rica. We'd also recommend a small motel owned by a Canadian family which serves as an excellent base for visiting Costa Rica's beautiful volcanos. Hotel La Rosa de America is a B&B hotel located in the Central Valley. Or, if you prefer a little more pampering, check out Buena Vista. "Beautiful View" is a lovely B&B owned by wonderful Canadian couple. They not only offer many 'support' services, recreational suggestions, lovely private rooms, and an inviting pool, their property does indeed offer a beautiful view in nearly every direction.

In spite of all these words of praise, I can honestly say, "There is NO PLACE LIKE HOME". I'm glad to be back, Elk Lake.

Lady of the Lake

Controversy - Blessed Controversy!

Controversy: Debate; Dispute (courtesy Thorndike Barhart Comprehensive Desk Dictionary).

Without controversy we would probably never have reached our current 'heights' in technology, pharmacology, psychology, theology and so on (although we may someday view some of our progress as regress)! No doubt, without 'debates' we would have been content to maintain the status quo. However, someone always manages to come along and poke at our comfortable repose - and, in the positive sense, get our brain cells clanging around which, if all goes as it should, leads to positive improvements in the things which make our lives 'comfortable'.

On the other hand, wars would cease if it were not for our disputes. In good 'fence riding' fashion, I will tiptoe around that hot spot and dive into what I consider to be safer ground - even though I highly doubt it is less of a 'topic' for many.

Since most of the time I am surrounded more by nature and its issues, I am not surprised my view of 'controversy' is more colored by animals than wars. Not to raise them to a pedastal for which they were not made, but these issues are important too - especially the clash between human interests and animal interests.

After all, this is the springboard for animal rights groups. Lest I be misunderstood, that isn't where this is headed. Although I would be in the front lines to stop animal brutality, I don't put animals and humans on the same level. If I were forced to take the life of an animal to save the life of a child, it would pain me severly, but I'd do so.

To the point. Take the environmental movement. Many in this growing 'class' work with serious dedication and hard work to return our planet to what they envision it was in the past. Their efforts have saved many beautiful and valuable places from over-development and explotation. For that I applaud them.

However, I believe there are those who take things to the extreme. I'm referencing, for example, those who feel the wolf has a right to be wherever - whenever. In other words, wild creatures by their very definition deserve the right to do as they please with no consequences whatsoever (except what another natural aspect should wish to impose on them).

No human interference. While this may sound practical - in the sense of protecting the wolf - it certainly flies in the face of those who make try to make a living without 'feeding' the wolf.

I speak of ranchers. Oddly enough, most folks I visit with do not see the rancher as an environmentalist. Nevertheless, much of the land we now enjoy - those wide open spaces which bring us a taste of what it used to be like - exists because of this hardy breed. By the way, the Centennial Valley is a PERFECT example.

It is the rancher who has kept the west from being developed as rapidly as the east. It is the rancher who has protected and preserved and provided for the land - purely and simply (sometimes) because he would loose his livelihood without it. It is the rancher who has held off the developer - often the great exploiter of the land.

Yet for all his hard work, not only does he not receive the credit he is due, but he is often slapped with the label of 'wolf-killer'. Case in point: "The Loop" by Nicholas Evans. Although I enjoyed portions of this book immensely, Evans paints the rancher with the broad (and politically correct) brush. He's shortsighted, money-grubbing, and environmentally destructive - if he perceives it as being in his best interest.

Books like this, I believe, despite the good they may do in providing a 'postive' outlook on a feared (and thus endangered) animal, have put the rancher in the position of defending himself (as well as his livestock) against the wolf - or more specifically - against those who see the wolf's side of the equation but fail to see the rancher's side.

I'm not advocating a free-for-all wolf killing spree. I agree, this beautiful creature has a right to exist on the planet. But what I believe sets me apart from many who would agree with that statement is: I believe there is greater value in a human life than in a wolf's life. Lest I be painted with that broad (and currently politically correct) brush let me clarify my point.

Wolves have a right to exist wherever and whenever they choose, as long as it is not endangering the life of a human. I also agree we must exercise great restraint in the expansion of development to prevent pushing them into a 'too small to survive' location. However, as in the case of the rancher, we - as humans - must be allowed the right to defend ourselves (and our livestock or our families) against a wolf.

Wolves are top of the food chain predators. They have NO enemies except man. While I'm certainly not advocating broad scale wolf killing, there are cases where a rancher must do what a rancher must do. Sadly enough, there are some out there which just don't see it that way. For them the wolf is sacred.

Another case in point (and closer to home): the man who sat in my dining room and condemned me when he found out - through the course of our conversation - that if I saw a wolf stalking my (then 3 year old) son, I would kill it. In the end I think it all boiled down to point of view.

Like I told him - yes, my son probably has no more intrinsic value to you than that wolf (although he should). However, were that your son out there, I would hope you would find enough love and parental fidelity in your heart to protect your son, even if it meant taking the life of such a beautiful and wild animal.

It's all in your perspective - and so the controversy will continue.

Lady of the Lake

PS - The beautify photo of the Hayden Pack is courtesy of our good friend, Gary!

The Close of a Season

The time has come - and we are ready. Time to shut the doors for a few weeks and enjoy a respite from the day to day. What most people call 'vacation'. What those of us in the service industry call 'rest'.

Living in such an incredible place, the sad part is only that we must leave (at least briefly) to get a complete break. Otherwise people still stop by - the curious, the friendly, or the lost ones - to visit. This, of course, does not facilitate the complete break our bodies need to rejuvenate nor the mental relaxation our minds need to regroup.

I think season closure is much like sunset. You work hard during the day, but (at least for most of us) the sun's set signals a time for repose, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Our bodies demand it. Our minds require it.

If it were not for the blessed time we call 'sleep', our bodies would soon burn out and our minds would whirl out of control. However, after a good night's sleep our bodies awake, eager for the new day, and our minds leap forward into the new challenges the day provides.

Thus we look forward, with eagerness, to our re-opening --- full of vim, vigor, and vitality --- eager for the new days and the new challenges.

Lady of the Lake