Spring Hopes Eternal

Spring Enthusiasts:

Yes, indeed, Spring does hope eternal as witnessed by the above photos taken here at Extravaganza Headquarters this mid-April Montana morning, displaying the exodus of Winter's prodigal snow pack and the slow but sure reappearance of (a) our lawn, (b) the fire pit and (c) [fret not, Fraternal Order of Group Fourers] the blessed horseshoe pit and site of the annual Group Four Horsesh** Competition (which now requires four [count 'em, FOUR] referees to keep track of correct pit pittances).

Just how massive was the snow this winter?? Well, the view in the fourth of the above photos is taken from my office desk window (yes, Group Two's Ladd Bedford, that candle IS lit for you!) where just last month the snow pack level out the window was at eye level. The upper levels of the mountains still hold a well above average snow pack, and the "packing" is not done, as it snowed here all day yesterday after our arrival and, as we venture out this weekend to attend the Montana Wildlife Federation's annual convention in Helena, high temperatures over the next several days are predicted to "top out" in the mid teens.

And, speaking of "teens," tonight Kathy and I have the great honor and privilege to meet and greet at an introductory International Wildlife Film Festival Pizza Party the six lucky recipients of our Extravaganza 2008 film scholarships—the six photographers that will pull out HD motion picture cameras and, during each of our groups (with three days of on-water filming along with Group Two), produce one or more films of this year's Extravagant events. [More on this in the next entry on Der Blog.]

Spring forth all and know that we are now quickly approaching 60 days whereafter (shudder) the (not so) kindly gentlefolk of Group One shatter the quietude of it all with their arrival here in these parts!

Best to all from the scene of it all!

Rock Creek Ron