Yellowstone in June

A slideshow with music

This is our eighth June living in Gardiner at Yellowstone’s north gate. And, of course, this June with the havoc wreaked by flooding rivers and creeks has been different and scary. I fear for the welfare and future of our friends and neighbors. I worry about the impact this flooding and its aftermath will have on Gardiner businesses and our town’s economy. 

But I also have been impressed with our community’s response to the emergency. My heartfelt thanks go out to so many individuals and organizations that have worked together to help Gardiner. 

I particularly want to thank Cam Sholly, Yellowstone’s superintendent, and Bill Berg, one of our county commissioners, for their immediate leadership and action to not only find solutions but to also create a way that residents could be informed and help one another. 

So many businesses and organizations also stepped up: Gateway Hose and EMS, Gardiner Water and Sewer, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce, Park County Sheriff’s office, Park County Health Department, Park County Public Works, Montana Department of Transportation, the US Forest Service, and the National Park Service. I also want to thank Rebecca and Scott, owners of the Gardiner Market, for their support and generosity. I know that I’m missing some important organizations and folks that helped and for that I apologize.

Only time and our working together will tell how this all resolves. But I’m hopeful and glad to live in this community.

Like so many other residents, one of the reasons Mary and I moved to Gardiner was to be near the wildlife and wild lands of Yellowstone. Living near the park, I’ve enjoyed producing a series of slideshows celebrating Yellowstone in different months of the year. I produced this Yellowstone in June slideshow before the floods hit. I had scheduled its release for last week, but that seemed inappropriate given the unfolding emergency. 

I watched the show yesterday and felt glad to be reminded of the beauty of Yellowstone that keeps so many residents here and draws so many visitors. I hope you feel the same way.

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I write and photograph to protect wildlife and preserve wild lands.

My bestselling In the Temple of Wolves; its sequel, Deep into Yellowstone; and its prequel, The Wilds of Aging are available signed. My books are also available on Amazon unsigned or as eBook or audiobook.

Slideshow Image Credits: 

All photos taken by Rick Lamplugh and Mary Strickroth in June of multiple years.