This is another moment in time captured this past Fall here in the Yellowstone Basin. On this morning Peyton and I traveled to Jackson Hole Wyoming to pickup our morning coffee before heading out to this beautiful spot. Located on the Gros Ventre River east of Kelly Wyoming this drainage is one of my favorite places to spend time and just be still.
Just east of this spot on the river is where the huge landslide happened in the early 1900’s that created the two Slide Lakes that are now part of this amazing landscape. The Gros Ventre was one of the original trails into the valley that the trappers used to hunt and trap this beautiful place. The Teton are visible most of the way down this drainage and one can see for miles.
This little bend in the river is a very nice place to sit and sip on some Morning Coffee and reflect on the beauty that is the result of the ultimate artist, God himself. Enjoy a snapshot in time and share with me the quite serenity of this place knows as the Gros Ventre River. Enjoy….
I am now releasing two of my images from this past two summers. One is titles “A Girl and Her Horse” and the other “Antelope Flats Barn and The Tetons”. Both images were taken by me about the same time of year but one year apart. They are available as 16 x 24 Metal Prints. If you like one of them click the link for more information. This is “Authentic Wyoming!”
From time to time we step outside our own box as far as species of woods we will use to craft a new flute. There are so many great species available right here in North America. Some of our favorite species that make some really nice flutes are Russian Olive, Sycamore, Black Locust, Maple, Russian Elm, American Red Elm and others. We use all of these species to craft flute with 3/4″, 7/8″ and 1″ bores for flutes in various keys. Many of the flutes will include various inlays and inset stones. Here are three of the latest flutes to be completed by artist Timothy Jennings of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. All three of these flutes represent simple elegance in design and very simple in their appearance.
Russian Olive NAF Flute – Key of F# 432 Hz – 307 Series Flute
One of our favorite woods to build flutes out of is Sassafras. We really like the tonal qualities of this wood but it is not very spectacular to look at. A wood that is similar in its characteristics is Russian Olive wood. Some people tell us they consider this a junk wood but I suspect this is because there is not a straight branch or trunk in the entire tree. Well we have found a somewhat available source for this species. You must look hard to find the right piece to get your flute blank out of but when you do you are on your way to a really nice flute.
This six hole flute with a 7/8″ bore features our Teton Spike fetish design and both flute and fetish block are hand crafted from the same piece of Russian Olive. We have hand crafted a step just in front of the windway area and finished the flute with more than 25 hand applied coats of glossy lacquer. This is a very nice playing flute and not so long that you can easily pack it with you when you travel as it measures 23 1/2″ measured on the top. Tuned to 432 Hz makes this a very pleasing flute to listen to as well as play. We have added nothing other that some very humble leather to connect the fetish to the flute body. The rest of the flute shows off the beautiful grain patterns and contrast that Russian Olive has. A very nice flute ready for a home. This flute ships with a protective flute bag. Stand not included.
Six hole Native American Style Flute made from old growth Colorado Sycamore. Tuned to the Key of F, at 440Hz at 6500 foot elevation. This flute was built with a full 1″ inch bore and measures 24″ long from tip to tip. Although this a 1 inch bored flute it has a very pleasant mid range tone and it is very easy to play. Completely hand crafted, this flute features our signature step in front of the windway. Inlaid into the top of the flute body is a squarish piece of Oregon Picture Jasper, set in a sterling silver bezel.
The fetish on this flute is of our Otter design and it was crafted from a metal stained piece of Black Walnut stock giving it a very dark chocolate brown with some black streaked grains. This happens when the tree grows around a piece of metal such as barbed wire over many years.
The fetish seen here in the pictures is attached with hand cut elk leather that is brown in color. This flute was completely crafted by hand and finished with more than 25+ coats of semi-gloss lacquer and rubbed to a soft finish. The inside of the flute has been sealed prior to gluing helping with moisture absorption. Playing holes are average for this mid size flute and they are spaced at 1 1/8″ apart. Ships with a protective flute bag. Another nice flute and it is available now.
This six hole Native American Styled flute is hand crafted from Old Growth, 1st generation cut American Ash from Colorado. This flute measures 19 1/2″ long (measured on top) and features a 3/4″ inch bore give this A# a nice bright tone. Completely hand crafted and this flute features our signature step in front of the windway. Simple in design we have added our Otter fetish block which is crafted from a piece of Wormy Chestnut. Leather accents are hand cut Bison and is Black in color.
This flute like all of our flutes has been sealed on the inside of the flute to help against wetting out. This is a very easy flute to play and it allows you to blow soft or hard and not loose the sound. Tuned to A# at 432Hz at 6500 foot elevation, the 3/4 inch bore gives this flute a very bright voice.
The focusing channel on this flute is a bit narrower than most giving this flute some nice comfortable back pressure. I personally like playing this flute. If you are looking for a smaller bore flute that you will love to play this is one to consider. Playing holes are average for this smaller size flute and they are spaced a little closer together at approximately 1 1/16″ apart. Ships with a protective flute bag.
Jackson Hole Wyoming is truly an amazing place to visit, live and work. Most people when they think about visiting Jackson Hole will tell you that they think about the majesty of the Teton Mountain Range, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone Park, the wildlife plus all of the amazing thermal activity found just north of town. Whitewater rafting, hiking, tram rides, fishing and of course eating at one of the many fine eateries Jackson has to offer. Truthfully Jackson Hole Wyoming is a magical place for those who love the outdoors and appreciate the finest that God has to offer.
For those of you seeking a little taste of the old west while visiting Jackson Hole, set aside an evening and go to the Jackson Hole Rodeo. This is a truly an evening event worth spending time with your family. This is the real deal folks – for more than 100+ years the Jackson Hole Rodeo has been an integral part of Jackson Hole and the old west. For 2+ hours the Wilson family (5th generations Jackson Hole) will entertain you with brave young men who attempt to master the backs of bulls and broncs, while mostly the girls take to the backs of their quickest horse for a shot at being the fastest around the barrels.
If you have never been to a real rodeo you are in for a treat. A real piece of Americana that will not only make you proud to be an American but the Jackson Hole Rodeo will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire evening. But the real story that I find at the rodeo is not the spectacle that takes place within the arena but what takes place behind the bucking chutes. Boys and men of all ages getting prepared to take their shot at making the 8 second ride into glory. And I mean all ages! There are boys as young as 4 years old getting their first rides all the way up to men in their late 40’s. And that alone is amazing to me as this is really a young mans sport.
Bravery comes in many forms but make no mistake, it takes a man with an incredible constitution to climb on the back of one of these very large and dangerous animals. Behind the chutes you will find these brave young men going through all kinds of rituals as they get ready for their rides. Some are jumping up and down trying to shake off their fears, others practice their ride by sitting on their bronc saddles while they lay on the floorboards of the chute area. Others walk around talking to themselves as if they are trying to convince one half of their other personality everything is ok while the other half is telling them NOT TO GO. These men, and I mean men, come from long distances and they pay a handsome fee to ride and compete for the best score. Most of them are clearly friends that come from the many ranches around the states of Idaho, Montana and of coarse, Wyoming.
As you mingle behind the chutes and fade into the background you can watch these men prepare themselves both physically and mentally for their next ride. You can see the grit and determination, the desire, hunger, fear, concerns, the focus they seek preparing themselves for their upcoming turn in the chutes. They pat each other on the back, high fives, words of encouragement, a nervous chuckle and for some just a simple stare into the eyes of one of their close friends looking for that simple smirk of encouragement and support. There is only constant support for those who are about to ride. No, behind these chutes is no place for a weak man.
Contrary to what many might think, these brave souls come in all shapes and sizes. young men with boyish faces, men with that expected cowboy look, men with scars, casts, slings, limps all giving testimony to earlier events. Many of them ride at least twice a week at this rodeo alone. When you are privileged to be part of this behind the chutes environment you gain a new respect for todays cowboys. They are a breath of fresh air in my opinion as they give testimony and carry on in the tradition of the old west and those men who came before them.
Yes I say – go to the rodeo and I promise you that you will enjoy an event that will leave you with a certain sense pride that only comes with being an American. The rodeo arena is an exciting place to watch all this unfold. A place where America’s truly most original sport was born and 8 seconds of sheer terror takes place right in front of your eyes. Watch with amazement as each young man climbs onto the back of their bull, their bronc, their ride that will surely come. For these men who ride, ride for both themselves as much as they ride for your entertainment. To do this comes only with a passion that is ingrained in the cowboy tradition that still lives on today right here in Jackson Hole Wyoming. These young men and women come to this event with the strong need to participate in this American sport. And yes courage and honor exist right here behind the bucking chutes of American Rodeo.
