Sarah Leroy-Toren

Day 2
Monday, August 20, 2001

Arrived Bozeman last p.m. at 10:00. Comfort Inn was – comfortable. Students did well and we were picked up at 10:15 by Annalies Corbin and her aunt Lisa. Did some provisioning and headed for Madison Jct. Campground.

Yellowstone is lovely, full of people and really dry. Have never stayed in a large campground before – close to all.

Went to site with Bill Hunt, Dave and Annalies. Bill has said it was close to [the] road, and it is. River is beautiful. Remnants of native and U.S. use. Large obsidian flakes – remnant of native use. Lots of glass of manufactured origin from U.S. use. Also saw new glass (shiny, sharp edges, thin – old is dull-matte) showing iridescence with weathered edges. Quite beautiful.

Tents are set up in semi-circle and all have been organized. Dinner soon- -- kids are throwing a football. Willa has been painting.

Will work later this week due to time of year – too cold in a.m. Start btwn 9-10. See how kids (and teachers) do by 3:00.

Two teams with glass bottomed buckets and scuba masks worked from either bank toward each other. Found some interesting glass, including a soda bottle lower portion and the neck of a liquor bottle.

Students did very well and recorded their data very systematically.

Dropped an apple in the the river and timed it between the 5m set by the lines.

6.47 secs / 5 meters
or 1.29 secs / meter
or 5 meters / 6.47 sec.

Visited Fountain Paint Pots – kids tired and interested. Beautiful.

Day 3
Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Ran 7 transects today. Many more artifacts than yesterday. Of note: rose glass pedestal, brass pocket watch rim, complete green glass bottle -–Bill ID'd as ketchup container.

Students distinguished themselves again today. The team has become a solid unit with 2 groups, each working from the opposing bank to the center. Students walk

four abreast with fifth recording the artifacts and their location on the 5m x 5m grid. The speed of the group is inversely proportional with the number of artifacts located.

Pam and Lisa brought chili hot dogs and corn chips with fruit for lunch. It was most welcome.

I stood in the Firehole River this morning, with the warm, soft water coursing about my ankles on its way downstream. Looking to the south, I could see the eruptions of geysers in the distance, their heat steaming in the cool morning air. It is not difficult to understand the native perception of Yellowstone as the land of spirits. It is amazing.

We went to Old Faithful this afternoon. Showered. Wonderful. The geyser is impressive and [ends here]

Day 4
Wednesday, August 22, 2001

This was an eventful day. Went to Norris Geyser Basin in late morning via Gibbons Falls. The falls were lovely and marked by an absence of biomat. The rock was a mixture of igneous products – rhyolite, ash, others. Learned from M.J.’s book that the river is acidic from sulphur emissions from thermal features. H₂SO₄.

Geyser Basin was quick, hot and dusty. My feet are falling apart and I brought sandals for the hike I thought was along the trail. The basin had lovely old buildings with museum displays, but not time for us to linger.

Ate at Beaver Lake, and Dave noticed a nail in the rear right tire. Decided to go with Bill to get tire fixed because feet were worse, and sent kids up the mtn. With Beth and Ann Johnson, Yellowstone Chief Archaeologist. Not my best move. We went to Gardiner, MT as they could not fix the tire im Mammoth Springs. Had a long talk with Bill, pleasant afternoon.

Returned to the trailhead to find students pretty scratched up. Ranger Ann took them bushwhacking in shorts. One reported feeling alone for 30 minutes and thinking no one would know if she was injured. Argh. I should have gone with them. Could have stopped the hike with my feet.

After showers and late (9:00) supper kindly held by Lisa and Pam, kids reported seeing glittering pieces of obsidian and having an experience that few others would have. The area was burned, and the new growth will prohibit foot travel in a year or so – Don’t imagine the Park Service will encourage visits to the area – the success of our program and the possibility of future field science trips may be in jeopardy if we return anyone with too much trauma. I’ll go next time regardless of my feet.

Day 5
Thursday, August 23, 2001

Long day. Students very tired. Ran 5 transects. Sore, but it is so lovely. The river is full of life and the rocks are slimy with it. The sinkholes hold treasure – bottle glass, white ware, stone ware. Wyatt found iron tools concreted into the bottom. The minerals are enveloping history.

M.J. has an injured clavicle and Janelle is experiencing pain in wisdom tooth socket. The rest of the group heads to the Grand Canyon [of Yellowstone] and Annalies, Sara, M.J., Janelle and Willa head to Old Faithful Clinic.

Well, got a shower, but clinic is closed. On to Lake City Hospital.

Endless hours later, M.J. and Janelle are patched up. M.J.’s $341 and Janelle $114.50. Argh. The lake is spectacular and Annalies and I talk for hours.

A much needed hamburger is obtained along with film and sterling bison earrings. Need to commemorate "No, no, no! No, no no! Very big! Very dangerous!"

The trip home is begun with fog on the lake, and continues with endless lines of old growth trees in the brights. Straining to see wildlife lest we collide and striving to avoid turns. Lest the same.

Home, Kyle is goofing, I am shaking with fatigue and cold. Tell them all to go to bed – have diarrhea. Finally sleep. Good rest.

Last morning: packing up.

Day 6
Friday, August 24, 2001

Film crew here. Kids are really weary and just hope they can maintain and not swear in front [of] anyone. Thought Friday would be good to film – we’d be experienced. Now just hoping we don’t have injuries – me included.

We have finished. Did a riverbank survey – 5 meters to bank, for remainder of Bill’s flags. Put the shoes in the picnic ground garbage – no snails for Lancaster County.

Dinner of steak and wonderful things. Held incoherent interview for film crew. Annalies says Dennis can make anyone look good. Well, that will be a miracle.

Time for farewells. Lisa and Pam have been wonderful. Becky has been helping Annalies pack artifacts. Pray her mom is still alive when we get home. Bill gave us all Junior Ranger badges. Kids all quiet and touched. Think that the reality we are finished is realized, and what an experience we have had. Looks like this will be remembered a long time. Grateful for this opportunity.