It is already the middle of June. Where does the time go? Once this column goes to print the summer solstice (falling this year on June 21st) will have come and gone. I find that rather comical given that, as I write this, there are snow flurries outside my window. Last night I had to cover up all those tender young vegetable plants in my garden and will have to do the same this evening given the forecasted low of 28°F. Yes, this is indeed the start of summer in northwest Wyoming.
Despite the decidedly wet and cold weather that has blanketed Star Valley these past weeks, summer really is rapidly working its way into full-swing. Here on the Ranch the portent of our short but glorious warm-weather season are everywhere. Wildflowers are beginning to bloom in earnest. On the main-side of town, golf carts are out-and-about in force as residents and visitors alike hit the links at the Cedar Creek Golf Course or the Aspen Hills Golf Course. The pool is now open too along with tennis and pickleball courts. This past weekend the Star Valley Ranch Association held its annual community garage sale an event that is always received with great fanfare by area residents.
Thanks to the Star Valley Ranch Trail Crew, hiking trails are open up Cedar Creek, Green, and Prater Canyons. It is still likely you’ll find areas of snow along some parts of the trails. The Trail Crew has put in many hours of hard work this spring to clear downed trees and tidy-up along miles of trails to make things passable after winter’s wrath.
An abundance of critters are also out-and-about. Last week the Ranch issued a mountain lion warning after a large cat was seen within sight of town roads. That’s the second time since May. Just the other day I spotted our resident mule deer doe (the one I call “Notch” due to the considerably-sized divot missing from her left ear) with her twin fawns of the year. Notch always seems to have twins in tow. Our local red squirrel, “Scrat”, has also been spending a lot of time setting off our front door motion-sensor alarm as he scurries between the Aspen grove to the south, across our deck, and then over to the owl box near our driveway, where he and his lady-friend have made their nest for the season. I’ve also seen “Chip”, “Bun-Bun” and “Dale” regularly. Yes, I tend to name the critters that frequent our property (a habit my father certainly would have frowned on).
Along with the bucolic seasonal indicators, the clackity-clack of hammers and construction equipment are ratcheting up to a fever pitch. Last year the Ranch issued 24 new home construction permits. This year, they have already issued 17. With all the construction and summer visitor traffic, the town public works department is going to have their hands full filling pot-holes.
The march of seasonal change continues. Despite all the building, it remains a beautiful time of year on the Ranch. Although, I do have to say it’s beautiful on the Ranch year-round. Before we know it, the 4th of July weekend will be upon us. After the fireworks are gone and the heat of August is upon us, I’m sure I’ll be more than ready to start dreaming of winter.
This column was originally published in the Star Valley Independent on 29 June 2022.
Ruzena Rok writes about Star Valley Ranch. You can reach her by email her at: Close2Home307@gmail.com