[Geysers] May 4 Conewalkers boardwalk closures

[Seeyellowstone at aol.com]

In reply to the conewalkers, from what I understand, there were calls from  
several locations in the country to the comm. center, and all of the 
conewalkers  were arrested.  They had thrown several rocks into Old Faitfhul, and 
taken  several rocks with them.  They are Xanterra Employees and they were  
arrested.  The web cam was down a couple of days ago mid day so that the  
LE's could download the video as evidence. Hopefully they are banished from 
the  park, so that they loose there job.  Another Xanterra employee had told 
me  that the individuals had just attended a meeting about what you can and 
can not  do in the park. Not the brightest group of individuals.  Otherwise, 
I have  no geyser news.
 
The Mammoth Hot Springs boardwalk has re-opened after being closed for the  
latest bear-scare. Most of the Mud Volcano boardwalk remains closed as does 
the  Fountain Paint Pots, Artist Paint Pots (snow), and Midway.  I was 
beginning  to wonder if we were going to see any thermal activity at this rate.  
The  Upper Geyser Basin Boardwalk/ Grand and geyser hill was also closed 
for a  bit for a wolf sighting.
 
This is Yellowstone Park, how many decades have we gone without closing  
attractions because of wildlife?  I understand if there is actually a  
carcass, but this is getting ridiculous. Once the park gets busier, people on  the 
boardwalks will discourage wildlife (except, bison of course) from  
frequenting the basins, its been the same for years.  By closing these  areas we are 
encouraging the wildlife to hang around developed areas which is  not good 
for the wildlife.
 
I would love to see the LE's in the Old Faithful and North Districts  
monitor wildlife sightings, keep the public safe, and be friendly to the public  
and educate them about the wildlife rather than shut things down.  At the  
same time I want to say what an incredible job the Tower District does  
monitoring bears, wolves, ect.  These folks will often spend there  entire shift, 
several days in a row monitoring bear jams, and have always been  
incredibly friendly, educational to all of the visitors.  They help people  find a 
place to park on the dangerously narrow roads, keep traffic moving all  with a 
smile, and several friendly conversations with the visitors, answering  any 
questions.  I think it would be great if Collette, John Kerr and Kevin  
Dooley could train the rest of the LE's about wildlife encounters.  This is  
the way Park Rangers used to be, and what the public expects of them.   These 
3 individuals are hands down the hardest working, Rangers  in Yellowstone. 
The hours these folks spend standing on the highway,  directing traffic, 
answering questions, watching potentially dangerous predators  who are often 
close to the roads, deserves to be commended.
 
Jim 
**************Recession-proof vacation ideas.  Find free things to do in 
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