Friday, July 5, 2013

Blondielocks on the Yellowstone River -- Part 1 Grizzly Bears at Yellowstone

Blondie on the Yellowstone River -- Blondielocks and the Three Grizzly Bears


Enchanted by Yellowstone!

As I'm writing this my family and I are heading into Yellowstone National Park for our final visit. Our adventure started a week ago and began dramatically. Within ten minutes of entering the West Yellowstone entrance we spotted a grizzly bear about 75 yards across a shallow part of the Madison River. He was a big one at 500 lbs or so. Grabbing our cameras we jumped out of the car and stood along the opposite bank in awe watching him meander down the steep slope. Our excitement grew as he approached a tree and lazily scratched his back along the rough bark.

Grizzly Bear sighted just as we entered Yellowstone.

I kept a close eye on the animal knowing that grizzly bears can run as fast as a racehorse. It would take him a few seconds to reach us if he wanted to -- luckily he ignored us. We filmed him calmly walking along the bank of the river and he disappeared up the hill into the thick forest.

As we climbed in the car I noticed the kids' comatose look from days on the road disappeared. In its place was a look of enchantment. The Yellowstone they'd heard about for months was finally a real place, not just a picture in a book. We were astonished at our luck and tried to explain that people spend weeks in Yellowstone and don't ever see a grizzly bear. For me it was an immense thrill to see a bear in the wild. There was the glory of the beast but also the danger that if he chose to attack he could at any moment.

Our next sighting was five minutes later where several cars were at a pull out looking intently up. We found a bright white mountain goat way up the cliff effortlessly clinging to the rocks. A few quick pictures and we excitedly made our way through Yellowstone and the north entrance towards Mammoth Hot Springs. Our eyes were eager for more animals with all of us searching the forests and meadows as we drove.

See the white dot? That's a mountain goat!

Enormous bison were munching grass along the roadside, nearly as big as our van. One raised his tail and stepped towards my open window snorting as I took a picture. The dude was pissed. We watched him cross the road behind our canoe and charge a male bison on the other side of the road. I lost track of him as we drove around a curve my heart beating fast.


Pardon the angle but I was scared ... 
A puff of what we thought was smoke greeted us in a bend in the road -- it was steam rising from the ground. It was Mammoth Hot Springs and the smell of sulfur rotten eggy-ness permeated the car. Around the corner an amazing sight -- a pure white hillside, with tinges of yellow and steam rising all around. The mineral deposits from millions of years were built up to create, in places, what looked like the surface of the moon. Now we were all enchanted.

Mammoth Hot Springs -- a bit like the surface of the moon.

Just into the shops and hotels around Mammoth, a female elk waited at the crosswalk looking as if it were one of the tourists, my memory adding a hat and shawl. Elk and their newly born calves lounged on the grassy knolls between buildings as if they were waiting for the picnic to arrive.

Female elk patiently waiting for our car to pass.

Elk and their young waiting for the picnic. Be right there ladies!

It was as if we'd entered a magical land with surprises around every corner. The landscape was surreal as well, changing from thick hilly forest when we first entered the park to meadows and rolling hills, and near Mammoth strange vistas of dirt covered hills with rocky crags poking out here and there. How could there be so many different landscapes in one place?

At Mammoth, we got out of the car and found a park ranger on our way to get lunch. Bubbling with excitement we told him of our grizzly sighting. He was very impressed and told us he hadn't seen a grizzly yet this season despite being in the park nearly every day. One of his duties was to hold bear talks with visitors and knew all the places you might spot one. He told us that there are 150 grizzly bears in the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone. To see one was rather like finding a needle in a haystack. 

After lunch we exited the park and headed north to a cabin along the Yellowstone River where we set up for the week -- a gorgeous spot with mountain vistas all around.

View of the Yellowstone River from our cabin in Montana.

Our luck held the whole week as we saw 2 other grizzly bears, one in the evening near Elk Creek walking below us. 
Grizzly near Elk Creek. You can see the damage to a tree in the foreground, perhaps by this bear.
The other bear lazing under some trees along the roadside between Canyon and Mammoth. The later being the most thrilling sighting. We saw a mass of cars pulled over and we parked along the road and walked a hundred yards or so to see what the hubbub was.

A grizzly was sleeping in the grass in the shade of some pines about seventy-five yards away. The bear was relaxed and seemed oblivious to the thirty or so humans gawking at it. After about ten minutes it startled awake, probably some kids running back and forth noisily across the road. Their parents could have used the talk from our ranger friend about being quiet and walking in tight groups near a bear. Running triggers their attack response much like a dog wanting to chase a rabbit.
OK, this might be a black bear, but for the blog we'll call it a grizzly. Wink!
The bear stood up and looked right into my eyes, or so it seemed. This time the safety of our car was out of reach and with very cute and delicious short blonde people wanting to run away, we decided to slowly, in a tight group, to beat feet back to the car not wanting to be part of one of the few bear attacks a year. We were relieved to return to the safety of the car!

Our week at Yellowstone was full of magical adventures and we leave now with not only with pictures and souvenirs from the gift shops but memories my kids and I will cherish forever.

If you want more on Yellowstone, visit their website here: http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm.
Part two of Blondielocks and the three bears -- Black Bear edition is here. 


    Connect With Me

    When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. You can find my book on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble and other outlets at the links below.


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    Wednesday, May 29, 2013

    Beautiful Blogger Award

    I am so honored that Blondie in the Water was chosen to receive the Beautiful Blogger Award! A very warm and happy thank you to Seumas Gallacher of blogging fame (Blogger of the Year Winner) and author of several amazing thriller novels. Did I mention that he is Scottish? Well he is and it adds immensely to his charm and endearing good cheer. He wears a kilt, too, at least on his blog. Sigh. Be sure to follow Seumas' blog here for a daily chuckle. You have to check out his novels as well. Seumas is a master at infusing humor and intelligence in his stories while taking you to exciting international destinations.

    I know I promised an introduction to my characters from Stealing Time on this blog post but sometimes unexpected surprises get in the way of keeping you on track. Heck that's pretty much the reason Stealing Time has taken me seven years to write. After all, my most precious surprise and excellent reason for delay on finishing my novel was the arrival of my daughter, shorty, five years ago.

    The Rules:
    1.  Copy and place the Beautiful Blogger Award in your post. (Check! Whew that was easy!)
    2.  Thank the person that nominated you and link back to their blog. (Check, thanks Seumas!)
    3.  Tell 7 things about yourself (Gack, I guess I can scrape a few things together.)
    4.  Nominate 7 fellow Bloggers, tell them by posting a comment on their Blog (OMG this is the hardest part.)

    Seven Things About Me

    I've done several blogs with deets on me so this is hard to come up with new fresh ideas. The award dictates so here goes. I'll try to spice it up with some fab pics.

    1. I am a very visual thinker. When I'm writing I can see the scene in my head, smell the smells and feel the fabrics of the environment. When I worked in Boston my office had no windows. I filled the space with large vivid prints of flowers, ocean views, and bright landscapes. I had so many people comment on how bright and cheery the space was. It seemed weird to me that everyone didn't do the same thing. I guess I need color and oceans more than the average person. 

    Vivid colors in my palate of 'ocean.'
    2. I volunteer a lot of my time to the PTA (Parent Teacher Organization) at my son's elementary school. I've taken the newsletter from a one page black and white sheet to a full color, 8 pages folded and stapled, award winning newsletter recognized locally and by the state PTA. I brought several fundraisers to the school, including a recycling program for used electronics and two fundraisers for bringing new books to the library ($4500 raised in the last 2 years), one through Barnes and Noble. The regional office now uses my arrangement (using student artwork and patron voting) for all of their book fairs. I raised more money in each of the book fairs I've run with them than any other books fairs held at that store. 

    Artwork on display at Barnes and Noble during our book fair this April.
    3. I created a camp years ago for my kids to keep up their skills over the summer. We call it Camp Waters where I pick a new topic each week for us to focus on. It usually involves a lot of friends, lunch and swimming afterwards in our pool. Topics include: creative writing, art, fossils, geology, dinosaurs, USA geography, photography, cooking, and tons more, all selected at the beginning of the summer by my children. I've written a guest post for a friend's blog about this stay tuned, hopefully he'll post it soon.

    4.  I have a very odd sense of humor. A few of my recent posts include:

    Keep your ghosts close because you never know...

    Yeah, I'm a weird-dough.

    I sent this get well pic to a friend who had knee surgery. I don't think he appreciate the humor so I had to explain to him the deer was dead and won't get well but you will. See could be a lot worse! I'm not sure he fully appreciated my sense of humor. Aw jeez, you too? You think I'm a bit off. Ah, well, join the club!

    5.  This is very hard for me to just spew on and on about myself. That's a fact about me right? So here are some beautiful pictures to enjoy as you ponder that...
    I actually had a cyber pool party here with some twitter friends. Yes, I know that sounds a bit emmmm, crazy. 
    Lily Pond in Maine. Site of my blog post Blondie in the Pond.
    Crow's Pasture on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

    6.  I love water. I know you already know this about me if you've read any of my blogs or follow me on twitter, facebook, or Pinterest. 

    Love this picture of sun shining through the curve of a wave!

    7.  I love a lot of different kinds of music. My favorite is the Black Eyed Peas but on my iPhone I have everything from Irish folk to Eminem to the Gypsy Kings, pop music old and new, oldies, and I especially love Gaelic Storm. One of my favorites songs, and I think is appropriate for my blog, is 'A Beautiful World' by Collin Hay from Men at Work Fame. Did you know he's Scottish? Yeah, well he is. He's also funny as crap and cusses a lot. He's Scottish, what did you expect? This is from his show and he tells a shark story just before he sings A Beautiful World.


    Collin Hay -- A Beautiful World

    Here is my favorite Black Eyed Peas song, although it was very hard to choose since I could probably say that about fifteen of their songs. The video reminds me of where I live now, dirtville, and me rawkin out with my peeps. 


    Yes, Will.i.am, I did put it on the blog. 

    Love the humor and intelligence of Will.i.am, his superb musicality and playful, peaceful lyrics, an unusual combination for rap/R&B music.

    Nominees

    Please take a minute to visit the pages of my nominees. I look forward to their posts!

    My nominees for the Beautiful Blogger Award are:

    1. Jeri Walker-Bickett at http://jeriwb.com/

    2. Annette Schutzengelchen at annajournal-id.blogspot.com

    3. Laurel Robbins at http://monkeysandmountains.com/

    4. Leora Wegner at http://www.leoraw.com/blog/

    5. Pinky Poinker http://cleverbunnys.blogspot.com.au/

    6. Savanna Redman http://www.savannaredman.com/shorts.html

    7.  Melody Ferraro http://icarryyourmelody.blogspot.com/


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    When I'm not working on Stealing Time you can find me on my social media at the links below. I look forward to talking with you!



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    Tuesday, May 14, 2013

    Blondie in the Springs -- Beware of the Wildlife



    Blondie in the Springs -- Beware of the Wildlife
    Florida was a gorgeous place to live. Six months of the year the temperatures were ideal for outdoor activities ranging from 65 F to 80 F and very little humidity. Summers were amazing as well with the afternoon treat of giant boiling clouds and torrential thunderstorms. Have I mentioned I love severe weather? Well I do.

     It was a great place to own a kayak, or so I thought. There are so many beautiful places to take it out with oodles of lakes and of course the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast. Central Florida, where I lived, also had lovely fresh water springs that were ideal for kayaking and full of Florida critters.
    Blue Springs State Park, Florida *
    One gorgeous day in April we drove to Blue Springs State Park, a stunning refuge for their substantial manatee population. Our friends from Upstate New York were visiting and being the outdoor types were as excited as we were to see some authentic Florida wildlife.The day was perfect with temps in the low 80s, the sun was shining and the air was just on the edge of being sticky.
    In tow were several kayaks, a picnic, and a few short people. Eager to check out the layout of the park, we left everything in the car (OK, not everything the kids came with us, don't get huffy) and walked down the boardwalk that led to the springs. 
    How is that for inviting? *
    Lush greenery greeted us as we walked along the boardwalk area to the swimming hole -- the Spanish moss reaching down to caress us as we walked by. My excitement grew as we approached the water. Manatees were floating lazily in the springs with their young ones. My first desire was to dip my toe, or more, in the cool clear water. However, ropes were up blocking off the area to keep swimmers from bothering the new families. We were told they would open it up to swimmers once the manatees floated downstream and out of harm's way. 
    Mom and baby manatee from above. *
    With swimming out for now, we made our way further down the boardwalk to the spring head looking for a good place to launch the kayaks. It was going to be easy work with the current moving swiftly away from the springs -- you merely have to guide the kayak through the clear cool water.

    We found a good spot and the men carried the kayaks from the car as we watched the kids play. My friend, Carrie, and I volunteered to stay with the younger kids since there was not enough room for all of us in the kayaks. Knowing the men were eager to get on the water, we thought it would be more fun to take our trip later sans kids and get a more peaceful go down the springs.

    The men and older boys took several passes downstream while we played near the manatees in the swimming area with the little ones. Finally, it was our turn. Carrie and I climbed aboard our kayaks and began our first run. A great blue heron startled in the brush and flew over us with a wingspan a good six feet wide. Turtles were sunning themselves along fallen trees. Everywhere you looked there were birds, fish, even a few lazy manatees passing under the kayak setting the scene for a serene paddle downstream. The sky was blue and the canopy of the trees created dappled sunlight.

    Can you see why they call 'em 'Blue' springs? *
    The peaceful bliss lasted a whopping five minutes. My serenity was abolished when a nine foot gator smashed into the underside of my kayak making it rock and sway, nearly dumping me in the drink!
    We got our dose of authentic Florida wildlife that day! **
    It was fortunate that I was in my slow and steady kayak and not the fast and tippy one or I might have been dinner for the horrible critter. I saw a huge dark shape swim off downstream and in my imagination lurking ahead waiting for another strike.

    My friend laughed hysterically at my whoops and hollers not knowing the cause. When I assured her I was not screaming like a crazy person over a log scraping the bottom of my kayak, but rather because a gator was trying to eat me, the smile fell off her face. It was replaced with concerned glances around looking for beasties hiding under the water. We began paddling in earnest now, working our way downstream, all thoughts of photographing tame wildlife out of our heads. Replaced by thoughts of our kids in the springs, their fathers chatting about the Buffalo Bills quarterback instead of watching out for child-eating reptiles. Rather took every ounce of fun out of that run down the springs. 

    In my mind I engineered a spear out of my paddle waiting for the gator to take another crack, knowing that I stood no chance against his powerful body and large teeth.
    Me and my homemade spear will get you!
    Thankfully there were no further attacks and our ride was smooth, albeit tense. The men were surprised that we were done with the kayaks, having had enough of the Florida wildlife for one day. I have to say the beauty of the surroundings were lost on me the rest of the day and it completely cured my desire for a swim with the manatees.

    One of the things you learn after living in Florida for awhile is that gators do eat people. The locals are smart enough to keep it off the national news since tourism is their biggest business. A few times a year, usually in April during gator mating season, you'll hear reports of alligator activity. Stories about alligators climbing six foot chain link fences and eating small dogs, or occasionally chewing off a golfer's arm. Disturbing, yes! 

    Yeah it happens...
    (Can you figure out what's wrong with this picture?) ***
    The stories about full grown men being eaten are more disturbing. One news report aired not too long after our kayak adventure about a man whose car ran out of gas. He called for a ride and went down to the lake to take in the view until they showed up. A few days later part of him was found rotting under a log while the gator waited to digest the rest of him. 

     I'm not telling you this to scare you away from Florida. It is a beautiful place and the odds of you ever encountering a gator, much less being harmed by one are quite slim. You're much more likely to be struck by lightning, after all Central Florida is the lightning strike capital of the world! 
    If you do visit the sunshine state, know this -- every body of water has the potential to have an alligator in it. So when you're taking the kids down to the edge of the lake, pull them back a few feet, just to be on the safe side. My desire for kayaking in the open waters of Florida was definitely quenched with our first experience with a gator. The thought of a relaxing paddle across a sunny green lake was all but shattered that day. I had tamed my fear of sharks eating me in the bay, but the fear of a gator was untameable. 

    I love the water but not with you in it! *
    I am currently land-locked and have no great body of water to enjoy but at least the kids can play near the brown icky lakes here in dirtville without the fear of large predators snacking on them. Still with all of this said, Florida has taken my heart and I hope to move back there someday.  But you can be sure I will not be swimming in their warm lakes.

     I would love to hear your wildlife stories. Please leave a comment and share your experiences. 

     *Photos from http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/photogallery.cfm 
    ** Photo from http://untoldbleedingdeath.blogspot.com/
    *** Photo from http://othersiderainbow.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-bet-he-will-have-higher-handicap.html


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    Connect With Me


    KJ Waters: Where to find KJ Online:

    Websites: http://www.kjwaters.com http://www.blondieandbrit.com/ http://www.blondiebooks.com/
    Twitter:     kamajowa
    Facebook:     Facebook profile
    LinkedIn:     kamajowa
    Blog:     Blondie in the Water
    Instagram: @kamajowa
    Pinterest: kamajowa
    iTunes:  Here
    Other Twitter: @BlondieandBrit @Blondiebookcov

    BIO:

    KJ Waters is the best-selling author of the time travel series Stealing Time and short-story called Blow. The second book in the series, Shattering Time, is in development and is slated to be released in the fall of 2016.    

    KJ is the CEO of Blondie's Custom Book Covers and the co-host of the popular podcast, Blondie and the Brit.

    BLOW -- A SHORT STORY
    Linker link: myBook.to/BlowbyKjWaters
    Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Blow----Short-Story-Waters-ebook/dp/B01DYDFO6Y/
    Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blow-kj-waters/1123649732?ean=2940152963311#
    iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blow-a-short-story/id1101867135?mt=11

    BLURB:
    Caught between a hurricane and a deadly secret, Rick Harris struggles against a ticking clock when the wrong people show up at his door looking for shelter. As the storm closes in wreaking havoc on Pensacola, Florida, he has to make a choice between saving their lives and exposing a secret that could cost him everything.


    STEALING TIME


    Book Linker: myBook.to/StealingTimebyKJWaters
    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Time-Book-K-Waters-ebook/dp/B00PJMWD6S/
    Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stealing-time-kj-waters/1121455699?ean=9780986250866
    iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/stealing-time/id977501005?mt=11

    Blurb:
    Stealing Time is a "Breathtakingly original" time travel adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As Hurricane Charley churns a path of destruction towards Orlando, Florida, Ronnie Andrews and her best friend, Stephanie McKay, scramble to prepare for the storm. Ronnie seeks shelter at her boyfriend’s weather lab while Steph heads back to her house.

    During the peak of the storm Ronnie is hurtled back in time to eighteenth-century London where she is caught in a web of superstition, deception, and lies in a life and death struggle to return to her own time.

    Steph is thrust into the middle of the hurricane, but it quickly turns into a living nightmare as she is faced with losing everything. Stealing Time: Book 1 in the Stealing Time Trilogy. 

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