Travels In The Greater Yellowstone

Written by Jack Turner, guide, mountaineer, fly fisherman, artist, naturalist, this book was both entertaining and informative.

Because I worked at Lake Yellowstone last summer, and visited the surrounding area, this wonderful book was even more meaningful. I recognized the places he mentioned, and feel a special connection.

Jack has lived in the area for over 30 years, so his love is very profound. He writes about the changes he's seen, and the implications if they continue.

His wife Dana, and dog Rio accompany him on some of his adventures chronicled in this book. Other adventures, along the Wyoming Range, into the Wind River Range, and fishing trips are taken with buddies. The conversations and astute observation make for very enjoyable reading.
One campfire reminisce " We turn our headlamps off and discuss the trajectories of our lives and those of old climbing friends.Some became alpine Horatio Algers, found religion, married, had children...Others remained deviant, not in the criminal sense, but at variance from the norm..Many died young in the mountains. Some went mad. Most migrated into ordinary middle-class lives, mired in Thoreau's quiet desperation."

Jack is not afraid or timid in his writing. On his Christmas at Old Faithful, he writes concerning the debate over winter travel in Yellowstone,
"My own view? Close the park every year for six months. Every critter and chunk of land deserves a rest from homo sapiens commercialis."

Jack advocates for perserving our lands, parks, and the necessary corridors between undeveloped areas for wildlife migration.

An extensive bibliography gives resources and further suggested reading for those interested in the many aspects of the Yellowstone experience.

I highly recommend this book.