Haven't done this in a few years, but during the first visit back in May and June, there was enough strange calls that I decided to try it again this latest trip.
20 Aug
- At Lower Station, RV hits awning with roof air conditioning unit, left area, probably not aware of the damage.
- Motorcycle vandalism call at VC parking lot. Culprit was a raven.
- After sunset, but while still light, report of wrong way driver at exit to Firehole Canyon Drive.
21 Aug
- Person in SUV coming through the south entrance with smoking joint visible
- Two calls in 1/2 hour of wrong way travel on OF entrance roads.
- South of Fountain Flats Dr a gravel truck partially spilled a load, causing damage to several cars. One was undriveable due to windshield damage.
22 Aug
- At 0630, actual fire in Lodge employee kitchen
- C-Tour bus entering Midway parking lot going in left/wrong lane
- Someone very upset over her entrance station experience, including verbal abuse and throwing maps back. Got verbal warning for "discon" — disorderly conduct.
23 Aug
- Seven Romanians warned for thermal trespass at Midway.
24 Aug
- Replacing a dumpster at the VC that got hit and no longer opens.
- Gate runner— excuse was he was coming in to tow out "boss' truck" on trailer. Got a court date for failure to pay, and operating commercial vehicle. Escorted out when noticed he was attempting to do a U-turn and not leave.
26 Aug
- Cowbird with string wrapped around leg at OF boardwalk. Not sure what to do.
- In afternoon, tent set up at turnout just west of Madison Campground.
28 Aug
- Rear end collision at crosswalk next to ranger station results it two vehicles in need of towing.
- Visitor assist at Riverside. Woman at the Dan Wenk Memorial Vault needs assistance as she has dropped her iPhone into the pit. (They are supposed to be water-resistant…) Phone was retrieved and successfully recovered.
29 Aug
- Vehicle in VC parking lot "being attacked by raven."
- In looking for the assault ravens, encountered littering. Contact had two prior IMARS in recent years: Assault, and dog off leash and obstructing traffic.
- Porcupine carcass removed from road near Biscuit Basin.
31 Aug
- "Discon"-- woman trying to "save a spot" in lot beside Lodge was nudged twice by a car wanting that spot real bad.
- Responding ranger commenting on previous entry, "looks like mid-July out here."
- Updates to earlier nudging report: Soon after the initial calls from the parking lot, the comm center was able to determine that the driver had reservations at Fishing Bridge. Driver was later contacted and given a verbal warning for disorderly conduct.
01 Sep
- Morning call about messy, post-party Madison campsite. Mostly empty cartons and containers, no actual food. Verbal warning, but leaving today.
- Trash container at Lone Star trailhead is overflowing.
- A long one-- report of erratic driving for a car heading north from Old Faithful, including near head on collisions. LE quickly catch up north of Fairy Falls and witness similar behavior. Turns out the driver has suspended driver's licenses from both Wyoming and Montana and has a outstanding warrant for immigration violations. Two people in the car, and neither person can speak English. Companion has no identification. Driver gets a trip to Mammoth. The companion claims to be a juvenile, and they have problems trying to figure what to do with him. They tried to call what was supposed to be a family member in Bozeman, and got a hangup.
- At Madison campsite, occupants have dug a large hole that is a tripping hazard.
- Also at Madison. Someone reporting that their hatchet and two boxes of wood are missing from their campsite.
04 Sep
- Report of woman lying down between parked card in the lot behind the Lodge. When contacted, ran off into the words toward the cabins. Later found near the Rec Hall behind the Lodge. Arrested for intoxication. Also looking for a Prius with expired registration, maybe possible breakup with driver of car.
- Because of this previous incident, "no one available right now" was the response to "thermal trespass" at Giantess.
- Someone in VC giving Old Faithful information/prediction on NPS West Direction channel. Gets the Comm Center response: "Unit on Direct. You are not on Common."
05 Sep
- Raccoon inside vehicle parked behind Inn. It appears to be a pet.
06 Sep
- At Midway — citation for parking in gov't reserved parking space.
07 Sep
- In East Lot — ravens looting the back of a pickup truck.
08 Sep
- Written warnings to at least four vehicles in the "make your own parking space" line between Lower Ham's and the Gas Station. One of them also had plates which expired on 29 Feb 2024.
- Madison Campground host calls for attitude adjustment at particular campsite. Warning issued for off-road vehicle and for food storage.
- After sunset, escorting a wide load from OF to West Yellowstone.