Sunday morning we rise unhurriedly and prepare for the day. THIS is Loonion day! We have some time before the 10:30 meeting for pictures, so we decide to see more of Mammoth this morning. As we wind through the campground we spot a newborn wobbly little elk with it's mother right in midst of several empty campsites. We decide she is a very smart mother. The middle of the campground must be the safest place around! The cute little spotted calf, just two days old we are told by another camper, is walking unsteadily but begins to hop and run around his mother. I would love to give him a hug, but mother would disapprove.

We drive up to swan flats and make a quick sweep for activity across the wide-open, treeless area. Finding none, we return down the hill and take the Upper Terrace Loop drive that winds among the trees at the top of Mammoth Hot Springs. There are many interesting features here including the Elephant's Back. It really does look like the back of an elephant when you look down it from the pull out!

It is then time for the most important item of the day... Showers! We have had none since Friday morning and it is now, shall we say, noticeable. The hotel in Mammoth is beautiful from the outside and when you enter the lobby and adjacent rooms it is magnificent. We purchase our showers; $3.50 for the shower and $.50 for towel or shampoo and soap, then wander back the corridor. This area looks a little more worn. We discover that only one shower exists on each floor and this one is taken. Tim and I go to the second floor, Jay to the third. Ahhhhhhh. Refreshing.

Then we met everybody at the Loonion. It was very nice. Now, on to Monday! On Monday we saw.... JUST KIDDING!

Clean, decked out in Loon regalia, and with some spare time, we proceed over to the Albright Visitor Center and examine the museum and books. I absolutely love the original Moran paintings and William Henry Jackson photographs. The wolf upstairs is huge and jet-black and the pups with it are cute. There is a mountain lion and other mounted animals. I cannot help wondering where these specimens came from and how old they are.

Back on the first floor, the display of equipment from early expeditions is fascinating. Cameras, journals, packs, boxes and other paraphernalia are displayed in glass cases. Dan is there and I see Tim A and a few others also. I take a moment to join the Yellowstone Association at their counter behind the Visitor Center's desk and peruse some books. Jay, Tim and I wander outside of the large stone Visitor Center and see folks beginning to gather on the lawn near the closest fenced in area. The Loonion has begun!

Geri and Bruce are there; you can spot that big smile of Geri's a mile away! Tim A and Dan M wander out of the building. Soon we are all milling about on the lawn as identification and greetings take place. Hugs abound. There is a high level of excitement and tension. As they walk up, each Loon would eye the others and try to identify each one from the Loon photographs. The sound of conversation and laughter carry across the lawn as passers-by cast curious looks our way. I know they are wondering who we are. Again, the strange feeling that accompanies old friends meeting for the first time passes quickly as we begin to learn everyone's names.

Soon it is time for some pictures. Is this what being famous is like? We mill about as multiple tripods are set up. Jay and Carl, Mark's Dad, also handle a few cameras. The video camera is running, but I didn't tell anyone. Hehe, can you say potential blackmail? Pictures, pictures and more pictures. Switch cameras! More pictures. This first round of pictures include Lew and Deb Demler in their now infamous wide brimmed hats, Dan M, Tim A, Cathy W and her husband Mike, Ballpark Frank and Cathy Montana, Geri and Bruce (Oldtymer), JT and Malinda, Jakeman, Webcam Tom, TimII, Dad of TimII(me), Mark R, John's son Joe, Carlene and the Heap Big Grand Poobaw himself, John. We had several people present that did not yet know that they were Loons; Tom, who was in the picture, Jay, my friend who took pictures and Carl, Mark's Dad (Now known as QuickCarl on the Loon page)

Those with Loon shirts came to the front and posed for pictures showing the Loon Logo on the back of our shirts. More talking and laughing but soon it is time for our special shot arranged by Web Cam Tom. The entire group wanders over to the left side of the Albright Visitor Center and arrange ourselves while Tom places the camera in a second floor window. A few passers by are wondering at this strange group of people standing together and staring at a second floor window. Hah! Tom takes a number of web cam shots and a few cameras come out again! I am not sure if he was present at the first photo-op but Duncan the Geo Bear is here for the second pictures on his world tour from a classroom in Illinois.

As we wait a few moments, John demonstrates the official Loon greeting and tells the story behind it; Apparently Bruce was intently looking through his spotting scope when John approached from the front. Bruce, eye still glued to the scope, begin to raise his hands up and down as his view through the scope became obscured almost like flapping his wings until he looks up and sees John in front of his scope and jumps up to say hi! John bent over and demonstrated Bruce's "flapping" and we all laugh. A crazy group, with a crazy name; I guess we might as well have a crazy greeting! When all is done we quickly file upstairs to get a glimpse of the web shots and the domain of Web cam Tom. Excellent!

The office is crowded with computer programs and paraphernalia. Tom's desk and computer are located in a corner behind some file cabinets and a bookcase. They don't give him a luxury office all to himself, but WOW, what a view out his window. The web cam sits right near his computer looking out the window. We each take turns looking at the web shots and Tom checks the chat page to find several people already talking about our gathering and the web cam shots. Tom promises to post the pictures on a page we can access later.

The Flock wanders back downstairs and outside and decides it's time for lunch! Inside the Mammoth Terrace grill we go to the end of the room and take up 8 or 10 tables. People stare as this large and raucous group livens the place up. Everyone at the first picture session was there except Cathy W and her husband Mike. They had to leave before lunch. Wendy showed up before we started the Luncheon festivities and gift giving. Apparently a cooperative bear had made her lose track of time so she had missed the photo shoot. Hmmmmm. Didn't miss lunch though! |:O)

We settled in and I set up the video Camera while John stood up to speak. The group got quiet and there was electricity in the air because, whatever else happened, this was the very first gathering of Loons. John opened by explaining the Dakota Sioux motto that graces the top of his Total Yellowstone Page, mi takuye oyasin. He told us that this translates, "we are all one" and really means "the circle of my family." The Dakota Sioux meant this literally when speaking to the tribe which was their family and when speaking of the world about them, the mountains, the trees, the animals. To the Dakota all things were related. The lives of all living things were interrelated. When the Dakota Sioux had a successful hunt, which was not every hunt, they were appreciative and would give thanks to the Great Spirit for that hunt and that animal. Then they would put every part of it to good use for their survival.

Then John said, "That philosophy fits my belief. I believe we are all brothers and sisters. I believe that going back through our relations we are kindred spirits and that we are all related through the Great Creator or Great Spirit or God or however you would like to communicate that. To me, mi takuye oyasin is a code way of saying I love you. To your family, to the earth and to everything in between."

John then spoke of his strong desire to "meet some of the great friends who have helped on the Loon page." John said how fantastic it was of those who supported him and gave information about Yellowstone and supported each other. He gave a short history of how the Loonion came to be over the past 9 months.

John pointed out that 128 years ago a group that felt like we do went back from Yellowstone and convinced the Congress that this place was unique, special and worthless and needed to be saved. It was necessary at the time to convince Congress that it was unsuitable for farming, settling, railroads or any other practical uses. Because it was both unique and "worthless" it was set apart as the first national park. "To us it is not worthless; to me, to you, it is a treasure beyond measure, a great jewel. It is a special place that touches our hearts and spirits... Yellowstone is a part of us and we are a part of Yellowstone. So to all of you (at this point John mentioned the names of the Loons both present and absent) "to all of you, I really appreciate you, I really appreciate your love and support. It is a labor of love for a fantastic place and I want to extend that love to you personally; I really appreciate you, I really appreciate all that you've done over the years..." John also thanked his wife and family for putting up with him and his work on the page and expressed his love and appreciation for them.

John then concluded by saying, "When the Dakota extend their greeting, mi takuye oyasin, the tribe answers back, they are saying I love you. So to all of you I say mi takuye oyasin." John paused and then sat down as the entire group answered back with one voice, "mi takuye oyasin."

Lew than took the floor, still wearing his trademark hat, to tell how his wife had all this great information as they toured during their first trip to Yellowstone and he learned it was from John's page. He noted, having done web pages himself, how much work it is obvious that John had put in on the Total Yellowstone Page. Then Lew said, "So John, for all the Loons, we thank you for the time and effort you have put into this page, it really is great!" Geri took the floor next to read a poem about the circle of friends and said, "Long live the friendships formed by the Yellowstone Loons, we love all you guys, thank you very much."

Ballpark then rose to take care of some logistical business. He left a notebook where we could all leave notes that he would post on the chat page that night. (How nice!) He then introduced Duncan, the Geo Bear from an elementary class in Illinois. Duncan had traveled the world and was spending a few days at the Loonion and in Yellowstone before returning to his class.

Then Ballpark gave Tom a card (A bear standing next to a do not feed the bear sign and he is wearing antlers and has an I am not a bear sign) and expressed all the Loons thanks for his work on the Web Cams which mean so much to us and noted how the cams, John's page, JT's page, Matthew's page and all the other Yellowstone oriented pages are the "Technological glue that helps hold us together." Tom was gratified and said thanks and when Ballpark told him an Amfac gift certificate was coming he just said. "Wow!" He also mentioned that more good things would be coming to the web cams.

At this point Geri, our MC, turned things over to Mark R who had "something to say. This is where things got really fun! Mark explained how much we all appreciated John and his page and how we wanted to do something so he had sent out emails about a gift and had gotten great response. Mark then reached down and picked up a non-descript 2' tall by 1' by 1 1/2' cardboard box. He opened the box and pulled out a small gift box beautifully wrapped in gold paper and ribbon.

John came forward and opened it and held up a Loon shirt with the addition of a crown on the loons head with the name John on the crown! John seemed very pleased and ready to sit back down when Mark handed him the Loon card that contained the copied handwritten notes from a number of Loons. He really liked this. Next Mark gave Carlene a similar gift box that contained her own Loon shirt. John had sat down at this point assuming the gift giving was over.

Not so fast! Mark called him back up and gave a flat thin gift. Lew said John was required to get up and come forward so much because of all the resets we have to endure. (Much laughter! |:O) John opened the card and gift and read on the outside of the folder, "A little birdy, a Yellowstone Loon of course, overheard you mentioning that you would love to stay in the Old Faithful Inn someday." (John had to pause for a moment before he could continue...) "Be our guest. May you and your companions enjoy the experience? We love you, John." He then very carefully cut open the small folder to reveal the Amfac certificate and "A map of Yellowstone!" he said excitedly as everyone laughed!

Throughout he was shaking his head, then he said thank you very much. Before he could leave Mark handed him another gift-wrapped box and with a puzzled look John accepted it and asked. "When is Christmas up here?!" Inside were Loon iron-ons for another shirt. This time John looked at Mark and Mark gave him a larger gift-wrapped box. John opened the box to find a Loon hat (very nice hats, too!). THEN a slightly LARGER gift box!

When John opened this one he found a battery and then a state of the art computerized radio including short wave and FRS. It also had been specially modified by JT to get all Yellowstone frequencies AND had a special antenna and the frequencies to actually track the wolves!! John got a big smile on his face and said, "NO WAY!" John was speechless for a moment and then said thanks. I cannot adequately express the look of shock, joy, appreciation and emotion that was on his face; suffice it to say that it was all worth it! There was much cheering, clapping and laughter as John, in a slight case of shock, said thank you, said how much he loved us all and sat down.

At this point everyone was getting hungry, but I wanted a turn also so I got up. I said my thanks also to John and noted how wonderful it was to have so many different people; different income levels, different backgrounds, different beliefs, yet we all had connected so well because of our common love of Yellowstone. I asked permission to say a blessing for this lunch and this first Loon gathering, according to my beliefs, with respect to those in the room with differing beliefs. I was met with nothing but nods and smiles of understanding from those who felt the same way and nods and smiles from those who don't expressing respect and acceptance of me. I wish to note how grateful and pleased I was for that acceptance. Loons are special folks! Briefly I thanked God for Yellowstone, John and family, the Loons present and not present and I asked His protection for those who care for Yellowstone and the park itself and then thanked God for the food we would enjoy and the freedom and wealth to travel and be here.

Lunchtime! We all purchased our lunches and then placed twelve small tables together to make one large one to sit around. It only seemed appropriate that we should all sit at one table. The conversations around the table were consumed with the same relish and in the same sizable quantities as the food! At one point I turned to notice a man standing a little way behind us patiently waiting. He was average height and thin but with a tanned and weathered face that spoke of years spent out of doors. He wore heavy boots, dark green heavy work pants, a plain dark tan work shirt and a weathered hat; all showing signs of hard use. He also sported about a 5 days beard, a grand smile and sparkling eyes. The first thought that went through my mind as I looked at him, please forgive me, was that if he stood on the street corner for in Harrisburg for very long someone might give him $10!! Tom and Ballpark spoke to him and then Ballpark rose to introduce...

Bob Landis the National Geographic Film Maker! He had come straight from the field, where you will find him 300 days a year! He joined us for Lunch and Ballpark spoke about the film we would be watching. I was thrilled. I was trying hard to be cool. Wendy and I spoke later about how, to each of us, this was BIG STUFF! We congratulated each other on being so refined and controlled and NOT running up to him and begging for his autograph!! |:O) I have long loved filmmaking, nature films and National Geographic. If you give me the opportunity to meet a great sports hero, a great politician, a great film star or a National Geographic filmmaker, I would always choose the filmmaker, no contest! Ballpark presented Bob Landis with a Loon shirt for his work and willingness to share his time and film with us. We learned that it was Bob's idea to come and show us the film! How wonderful!

We all finished eating and talked among ourselves. People would come and go from the restaurant and watch us curiously. I now understand that a Loon lurker was there watching us. I am sorry he did not get a chance to join in, but hopefully he will sometime in the future. It was now 12:45 so everyone began to make their way over to the Albright Visitor Center where we gathered in the small theatre to view the film, Return of the Wolf. The theatre was packed with Loons and a few other people as Ballpark and Bob Landis prepared for the film. Bob was now proudly wearing our Loon shirt!! Awesomely cool! I had asked Ballpark permission to say a few words (No! Honestly! It really was just a few! |:O) When we were about to get started, I told Mr Landis how wonderful his work is and how, for those who live far away, or those, like my sister-in-law Mickey with MS, who cannot get around well, it allows them to experience the wonders of Yellowstone and it's animals. This is a great and important service. Then I thanked him for his work and this showing on behalf of all the Loons.

Bob Landis thanked us for our support and enthusiasm and then told us about his work and the making of films. Then he spoke about the Druid Peak pack and the making of "Return of the Wolf." It was fascinating and everyone hung on his every word. He talked about how he filmed the story of the Druid Peak Pack's acquiring of a new alpha male and how this was the first time that such an event was caught on film! He also told the "Cinderella" story of 42F which had just taken place and was going to be added before the broadcast of the movie.

Bob explained the story of what went on both before and after the film. Apparently, he worked approximately 3 years on this film. It will show, with an additional 4 minutes, this November on PBS on National Geographic Specials. (I am going to throw a party to watch the show and tell everybody that I KNOW that filmmaker!!) I don't know if I should tell you all about it or not. I don't want to spoil it for you. May it suffice for me to just say that it was a SUPERB film! One of the absolute best I have ever watched. The footage was astounding.

The wolves were fantastic but he also had wonderful footage of bison, elk, other animals and the most amazing and humorous fox you will ever see. The time flew by. As the film finished we gave a rousing cheer and applause and then milled about talking to each other and Mr Landis. Bob Landis was so kind, cordial and pleasant. He was happy to talk to us about his work. He seemed not to realize that he is a big celebrity! Bob Landis is now a Loon, although he does not have a computer to communicate with. We will just have to watch his films. |:O)

After the movie was over we stood around in the Visitor Center and talked until Tom was ready with his demonstration. He had brought down the special web cam in a protective cover, TV and a new small video camera attached to a spotting scope. When it was all set up we could see close shots of people at the top of Mammoth Hot Springs that were too far away for me to see!! Wow. Double wow and wowzers! It was great. Tom explained about how it works and how he hopes to be able to set up temporary cams on remote locations that could take pictures of bears or wolves and place them on the web! He also explained the new web cam to be placed on Mt Washburn. Tom was very excited and you could tell how much he loved his work. You could tell he loves figuring out ways to make the technology bring Yellowstone to the world. There is no doubt that he is at the forefront of his field, especially in the National Park Service. Some time later in 2000 Tom would be called to Washington, D.C. to testify before the Heap Big Cheeses about all he has done with the Web cams. I only hope they listen to him.

After the demonstration folks wandered the Visitors Center or stayed on the porch and talked. We hung around not wanting this first Loonion to end. We plied Tom with many questions, which he willingly answered. I got a chance to talk to several people, especially Mark's wonderful Mom and Dad. The sky had completely clouded over and was now raining which brought the idea of a Loon worship service into doubt. It was too late to change the time and place because some had left already. A few of us would risk the rain and give it a try. We made our goodbyes and I headed out toward the Lamar Valley with Jay and Tim. We would arrive at Slough creek on time for our 4:00 service as long as we didn't see any great animals along the road. Oops! Spoken too soon. As we came to the tall bridge across the Yellowstone River, several dozen cars were stopped on either end and on the bridge. I pulled up and let Jay and Tim out then I went up the road to park. Tim II took the video camera. While I was parking the car, Tim got some wonderful footage of this beautiful black bear up in a tree. He was up high and making the branches sway but we could not see what he was after. In a little while he climbed down and began to wander along the creek toward the underneath of the bridge. He (she?) was a smaller but fine looking black bear. He wandered up from the creek and we decided it was time to go. As I hurried down the road I hopped any Loons waiting would understand my delay at watching a bear. I know God would, He made the bear for us to marvel at!!

As we head on down the road and approach a narrow section with a treed hillside to the right and small ponds to the left, two immense golden eagles fly in to perch in the trees along the road. They are beautiful, but no good photo opportunity presents itself in the poor weather and we must continue on! When we arrive at Slough Creek, Jay parks the Blazer in the parking lot and we wait and survey the weather. The rain might not stop and this would likely be a small but wet group! John and Carlene showed up and not long after Lew and Deb came by.

Due to the weather we decided not to climb the hill but stayed by the parking lot. Some friends of John's also stopped by to visit. Our resolute little group waited to see if any others might brave the weather, but it was pretty bleak outside. In a short time Jay, Tim and I got out and, WAH-LAH, the rain cleared enough that we could have a short service. The group sang two songs, "This is My Father's World" and that golden oldie How Great Thou Art. I goofed some notes, but the group sang on. It was wonderful to sing with friends in such a beautiful spot.

Jay took care of the Lord's supper for me as we remembered Christ and then I spoke briefly about Roman's 1:20 and John 1:1 and how a place like Yellowstone serves a special purpose in teaching us about God and Christ. Our damp band of worshippers closed our service with a prayer to God and smiles all around. I was so appreciative that John, Carlene, Lew and Deb had joined us for a few special moments to acknowledge the creator of such a wonderful place as Yellowstone. I know that many could not make it because of the bad weather and that is understandable. The sky had cleared slightly and sunlight shone from under the clouds and over the hills to our west.

There seemed but one thing to do now: look for wolves! After a quick scan of the area we hopped in our vehicles and headed down the road to the infamous Wolf City. This was our first opportunity to try for a glimpse at wolves and we are very excited. The blazer wound through the sagebrush and the small canyon beside a roaring stream. As we came up over a hill and around the corner we entered the Lamar Valley. There is no mistaking "America's Little Serengeti." The high rolling hills leap up from the left side of the road. The yellowish green grass is dotted with a mosaic of darker green sagebrush that replaces the forests found elsewhere. As we round a bend to the right the wide flat valley comes into view. Stretching for miles ahead of us the Lamar River winds through the sage brush with clumps of trees gathered occasionally at it's banks.

To the far right across the river open sagebrush bench rises above the river, then hillsides give way to forest covered mountain slopes capped by rugged and snow covered rock faces and peaks. High open meadows dot the mountainsides in a few places. Far in the distance down the valley the high, snow streaked peaks give a perfect backdrop to a sight too beautiful to comprehend in a short time. I could just sit and take in this view for hours, but we have business with the Druid Peak Pack.

As I drives down the valley towards the Northeast Entrance the expedition passes the Yellowstone Institute Ranch with its quaint log cabins. Across the river a large herd of bison relax at the base of the mountains. It is another postcard waiting to be printed! Pronghorn dot the landscape near and far but their small size, tan color and stripes do not stand out as well as the large shaggy black and brown of the bison.

Finally we round the bend and come to Wolf City. It appears ordinary enough. It is just a typical pullout that happens to be just around the bend where the Lamar Valley turns northward. It is definitely Wolf City. People, spotting scopes and radios are everywhere! This must be the place to see wolves, or at least I hope that is the case. We pull in, hop out and immediately check in with those who arrived before us to find out about the days activity.

The infamous Druid Peak Pack has denned for the third straight year just a few hundred yards on the north side of the road from this pullout. What a strange thing for the Druids to do. I would think wolves would shun proximity to man. My assumption is that a good location, close to the game of the Lamar Valley, has been deemed more important and worth the hassles of putting up with the two-legged varmints that gather along the long narrow strip of rock and tar.

There is much good conversation as we relax and soak in the marvelous views, but no wolves show themselves tonight. As the sunset fades and the mountains turn a dark purple we all say our goodnights and head to our beds. Tomorrow is another day of unlimited possibilities... Jay, Tim and I climb in the blazer and began the drive back to Mammoth as we watch the lights in front and behind wind across the ever-darkening grays and blues of the valley. It has been a great day. I don't know what else to say. We discuss the day's events and thank God for our adventures and friends as Mammoth approach. Back at the campsite with Dan and Tim we relax and talk a little then it is off to sleep, perchance to dream, of wolves and bears, geysers and mountains, and tomorrow's possibilities...