WINTER

Winter is here in earnest - we even have a winter cover this month -- at least we intended it for a winter cover.

There has been no question about the weather however. On the morning of December 18th, the mercury stood at 18 degrees below zero in Paradise Valley, and 6 degrees below at Longmire Springs. These are the coldest temperatures ever recorded in the Park. The weather otherwise was ideal, the air still and sparkling, the mid-day temperatures sufficiently high for comfort, and the views unsurpassed. Never-the-less the mean maximum has been about 30 degrees above with a majority of clear or parcially clear days.

DOGS AND DEER DONT MIX

Rather we should say, dogs and deer mix too much. Dan Kakisenoruk, the Eskimo dog driver for the hotel's string of huskies, finds that his control over his team is considerably interfered with by the presence of deer and elk.

Whenever big game is seen the dogs break from the trail and are only stopped by Dan dragging-down the sled. On several occasions the dogs have become so violent in their attempts to give chase that they have broken their harness and deserted the team. Fortunately the deer have been able to escape unhurt in every instance and the dogs have come in at feeding time. No doubt they will soon learn that Park deer are not legitimate game, and one of Dans troubles will be over. Few more thrilling and beautiful sights may be had than a team of these powerful wolf-dogs dragging the light sleigh with its fur robed passengers along the wintery forest trails.