Who invited all these people?

YNP colorful people

Over three million people visit Yellowstone each year. Popular areas can get crowded by midday. But the park is so large it’s not hard to find solitude; early risers also can beat the crowds, have better wildlife sightings, and, of course, better light.

YNP pink lady

I enjoyed people-watching. This woman was just too cute to ignore.

YNP photo op

At times I felt like I was the only one in the park who didn’t insert myself, DH, or both of us into our photos. Photographers, m-a-n-y photographers, didn’t take shots unless one, several, or all the people in their group were in it.
I like people. Really! But it did mean long waits occasionally until another photographer’s shoot/reshoot/another shot was done.

YNP centerpiece

And then there were people who were just downright interesting. Like the couple next to us at dinner one night. First there were the selfies: her with a glass of white wine. Then a toast. Then both facing the camera. Then…what? A little bear dressed in a knit hat and jacket joined them at the table…don’t ask me…but it did smile for the camera.

People and animals at the fair

Kid and kid

It can probably be argued that a county fair is a holdover from the days when agriculture was front and center in most communities across the U.S. and the business of agriculture — showing prized animals, stock auctions — was a community focal point. That’s less the case in many regions today, but the fair still has value. We need to remember — and children need to learn — where our food and fiber comes from. And maybe it’s because I’m an animal lover, but I believe that humans have a natural affinity for animals. Fairs give some of us a fleeting chance to touch skin to fur and feathers and see animals that aren’t part of our daily lives.

Bunny people

People line up to touch. They ooh and aah over softness or texture, snuggle where they can.

Calf boy

Children have a chance to see and learn, often with babies that are just the right size, without the typical “don’t touch!” warnings.

Goat bliss

And the interaction goes both ways.

Stock saw competition

Stock saw 1

Loggers, of course, use chainsaws, so no logging show is complete without firing up a couple of them. At the Clallam County Fair two chainsaws were calibrated with matching RPMs and then competitors were timed at how fast they could blast through equally sized logs. The chainsaws are called “stock” saws because they’re standard, off-the-shelf models. It looks like this fellow is taking a moment to pray before he starts but the competition begins with both hands pressed onto the log.

Stock saw 2

Ready. Set. Go! Grab the chainsaw and start cutting.

Stock saw 3

It’s over fast. Pine logs were used. Pine is a soft wood. Douglas fir, a harder wood, is also used but I don’t know where or when.

Easier said than done

Axe throw 1

Here’s a twist on the classic dart game: it’s the logger’s version. Grab a big axe, stand about 15 feet away from the target, cock back the axe, and give it a mighty throw.

Axe throw 2

This fellow made it look almost easy, but then he was the winner. Two women were part of the competition but neither had the broad shoulder leverage to pitch with the strength and accuracy this competition demands. I think it’s a Paul Bunyan kind of thing.