James Halfpenny Halfpenny

Vivi shared a life time of adventures with me and Al Amundson her husband. To Vivi I say thank you for all your life you have given to us since the high school days and at the YMCA up to today. My friend, I am with you now and into the future!! Take care, Jim Halfpenny

Posted on: Mar 06, 2025 at 8:46 PM

Al and I go back at least to when we were 11 years old and in Boy Scouts. When we were 14 Al, Doug Austin and I did a 50-mile, 5 day hike from Scottsbluff to Kimball to a lake west of Kimball. Bonds were formed! When we were 15 Al, Doug Austin, Swen Larson and I put a boat in the North Platte river at Fort Laramie and spent 5 days floating 50 miles downstream to Scottsbluff (see picture when we landed). Later Al and I swam for the High School swimming team (see photo) and we were life guards at the YMCA (along with Sue Arterburn). The bond continued through college at the University of Wyoming and then into the future until February 24, 2025 when Doug set up a conference call where I could talk with Al. Al said "so long Jim." I knew he was telling me the final goodbye. March 1, Al left us ending a life time of shared adventures. Now Al has reached the end of the trail and gone off to explore. My best to Al on this last great adventure!! His friend Jim Halfpenny

Vicki was a bright spot in my high school time! I will deeply miss her and my condolences to all who share my sorrow in her passing. Take care my friends, Jim Halfpenny

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Posted on: Sep 25, 2024 at 10:22 PM

Still kicking on at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park (YNP) just not as high. Still teaching classes on bears, wolves, tracking and climate change. Had to quit our Arctic programs due to covid.

I am emergency coordinator for radio communications on the north third of YNP to about 70 miles north. Due many other radio service projects including sear h and rescue.

Several pictures for you viewing enjoyment.

Posted on: Sep 25, 2024 at 9:40 PM

My thoughts are with you during this difficult portion of your life's journey!!! Diann Thompson Weinmaster) is also sending her best thoughts!!

Since June 13, 2022 my time has been mostly tied up with helping victims recover from the flood of the Yellowstone River. Due to the deep river channel we suffered little structural damage (one house fell into the river) but the road into Yellowstone National Park was wiped out. This terminated the tourism season and creating economic disaster for our citizens. It will be a long, difficult winter for folks. We are accepting donations and disbursing funds all winter - yellowstonecoummunityfund.org tells more and accepts donations.

It was a busy bear season in town this fall. Probably a minimum of 6 grizzlies visited in town at night. One sow (see photo) and her two yearlings were spent nights in town for the better part of a month. The bears mostly fed on fruit (apples, pears and plum trees) and only occasionally on garbage left out by careless citizens.

Final they were trapped and moved to near West Yellowstone. Then Idaho Game and Fish then saw fit to kill them even though they caused no trouble. Many of us are very upset about this. She lived peacefully with us and did not need to die. If people are going to live in wild animal country they must learn to live with the wildlife.

Rick was a favorite friend both in high school and college.  To Rick, take care my friend and travel softly in your new adventure.  I will remember you always.

Rick's passing brings home the reality of where the class of 1965 is now and how little time we have left.  Make the best of your time my friends!!

Jim Halfpenny

Posted on: Mar 28, 2022 at 5:14 PM

March 28, 2022 I see it has been awhile since my last post but here's some recent information.

Life's good here at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Still kicking and still skiing. Taught two photography classes in the interior of the Park where it got down to -24*F (Check photos). Skied in about about a week ago to follow a set of wolverine tracks (see photo) and spotted two black bear cubs playing at the entrance to their winter den (see photos from my cell phone). They will exit permanently in the near future.

Still operating emergency radio communications and was involved in a large search and rescue a few days ago. We did find the missing hiker but regretfully a grizzly had killed him. One of the earliest bears out this year but we do get grizzlies out in late January or early February.

For more go to my YouTube channel called A Gathering of Naturalists.