Northfork Notebook

We’ve seen and felt some pretty daggum dreary days, but the weather guessers are givin’ the nod for some clearin’ skies this weekend followed by a couple warm days early next week. The prediction sounds like perfect conditions for Bloomsday Sunday … mild temps with no rain in the forecast. I’m sure many residents will make the early trip over the pass to participate in the event that will draw around 50,000 runners and walkers.

As I write, I called Art Hilton, one of the ‘ironmen’ of Bloomsday … Art is a member of a small group that has participated in every Bloomsday. That’s the good news … you see Art is in Kootenai Memorial. I spoke with Art Wednesday morning, and his chances of a Bloomsday appearance are remote. Matter of fact, the medical people told Art if he had not been in such good physical health, he would have been a goner. I think one of the Spokane TV stations planned to interview Art and ran a story on their newscast … If Bloomsday is over by the time you read this article, you can probably go to their website and find or replay. I understand Art has a pretty serious staph infection and they are investigating further. The infection began in his knee some months ago, they suspect anyway. Our prayers are with Art in his recovery, and I’ll be thinkin’ about him and his previous Bloomsdays when I see participants ‘decked out’ in their 2012 Bloomie shirts.

The North Fork and other tribs are down considerably as the Cd’A River ‘peaked’ last Friday morning at about 25,000 cfs. By Sunday the river was close to 11,000 cfs and this week has been running within its banks at about 10,000 cfs. Many of the fields along the North Fork look like ponds but, the water is goin’ down as the water level allows. I noticed a couple of large logs and a stump or two that had been left in open fields and there are definitely some new debris piles along the river. There’s no reason for anyone to be on the water for the time being.

I took a ride up the ol’ side as far as Country Lane. There were at least 50-60 elk in the Lazy T Cup fields jus’ beyond the sawmill. What was very interesting is that the elk were doggone close to the road; maybe the vegetation was better as well as the footing that could still be muddy. There were a number of whitetail deer in Stinsons field adjoinin’ Country Lane as well as down river at the big ranch on the near side owned by John Lambros. There were 4-5 swans in the backwater at the old’ Bumblebee Nursery along with several rafts of ducks. Our yellow limo driver and students on the ol’ side bus are still viewin’ wildlife on both the morning and afternoon trips.

Thanks to Roger for savin’ our “now open” banner that was headin’ south as it became detached … The transportation dispatcher gave me a call and let me know where he had stashed the runaway banner! Anyway, a bald eagle, hawk, great blue heron, swans, elk, and deer are to be seen and counted each and every trip. How many students in this glorious nation have that kind of opportunity every school day!

Rich at the Valley Fishin’ Hole in uptown Smelterville mentioned a couple of hunters locked in on a golden-colored black bear last weekend. The bear was close to 400 yards away, so, they jus’ sat there and watched for some time. Then, two newborn cubs came into the scope sight … If they had shot the bear, they would have ‘sealed the deal’ on the two cubs also … Good hunters with a conscience. I heard there was a young high school hunter that had his conscience botherin’ him after a turkey hunt and did the right thing. I remember huntin’ upland birds on the Wyoming-Nebraska border in the fall, and you don’t have a lotta time to determine a hen from a male … Not the first hunter to unknowingly shoot a hen.

The weather has not been favorable for fishin’, but this weekend and early next week will find water temps risin’ a li’l as water levels drop. Check with Ron of the Sportsman in Kellogg, Rich at the Fishin’ Hole, and Les at the Rose Lake store. I should mention Builders Maintenance in Wallace … they are in the ‘know’ and have some doggone nice fishing gear and apparel on the shelves.

The Silver Mine Tour is open for business, the mining museum is open throughout the year and the Northern Pacific Depot and Bordello plan to be open for next Saturday’s Depot Days celebration. Osburn will hold its annual Loyalty Parade this Saturday, beginning around 1p.m … Folks that want to enter should be at the school by noon. Remember, it’s an election year … should be a lotta candidates, and, if you’re a parent or grandparent … take a big bag for the candy!

Saturday is also Cinco de Mayo. I’m sure the good folks at Casa De Oro in Kellogg will be in a celebratory mode along with others. Growin’ up in Laramie, Wyoming we had a large population of Hispanics as many worked for the Union Pacific Railroad … drank a few beers, ate a li’l chorizo and other Mexican foods. I went to parochial school through elementary and junior high, and, my Hispanic classmates outnumbered the rest of us … Had some great Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

Don’t forest the Shriners’ ATV ride Saturday, May 19, in uptown Smelterville. Ed and others have been sellin’ raffle tickets on the Can-Am 4-wheeler provided by the Valley Power Sports in Pinehurst.

The ’Pit is once again expandin’ the hours as we’ll begin opening Mondays this comin’ week. Will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdats of each week. Five days is about all I can personally handle and then some at times. The ’Pit staff has stepped up and we felt the time was right to add another day to the operation. If you have some experience as a waitress or cook and are lookin’ for a li’l part-time work … Give us a call 682-3453, or stop out and fill out an application.

See you on the North Fork.

By JOE PEAK