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Posted by Ballpark Frank (24.237.94.196) on 12:26:55 05/14/14
In Reply to: So if you we're serious about 2015 Loonions posted by Bonnie CO
Bonnie,
Having attended virtually all the large Loonions in Yellowstone, as well as the 2004 Allison Memorial, I have some observations and opinions I wish to render:
1.) No matter what specific time you schedule a Loonion for, you will NEVER draw the vast majority of Loons visiting Yellowstone in a given year. There are a number of reasons for that. Some folks have limited flexibility in WHEN they can get away. That can be a product of job considerations/restrictions. It can have to do with someone's responsibility as a caretaker for someone else. Some folks have children in ball leagues, whose schedules dictate when they can get away. There are also some people who absolutely insist on visiting Yellowstone at a very specific time of year. If a Loonion happens to coincide with that time, they will attend, otherwise, you won't see them. There are even a number of Loons who, even if the Loonion occurs while they are in the park, choose not to participate. Each individual is free to do as they choose and cope with whatever conditions they have to deal with. The essence of what I am saying is that there is no PERFECT time to maximize attendance.
2.) There are a number of "sweet spots" on the calendar, when most Loons visit Yellowstone. They tend to be the second half of May, first half of June, and September. Having visited Yellowstone at almost every time of the warm season when I lived in Colorado, and Washington before that, I have always been amazed at how Loons (and most ID, MT, and WY "locals") avoid the busier season, between late June and mid-August. There are all sorts of activities that are best engaged in during that time. You just have to use coping behaviors to avoid the crowds. During the 15 or so years I lived close to Yellowstone, I was in the park virtually every weekend from April through October. We locals perfected the art of avoiding the worst of the crowds.
3.) Here are some pluses and minuses, and their impacts on Loonions, as regards timing. May is great for wildlife watching, but the weather is notoriously hot and cold, wet and dry. We had a lot of Loonion activities seriously impacted by the weather over the years in May. As June progresses, the weather gets steadily better, but the wildlife watching gradually gets slower, and the crowds start building. There is a marked difference in the last week of June. By then, every facility is open, schools are out virtually everywhere, and the park is jammed. That goes on until mid-August. The third week of August is what I refer to as the "pivot week", where the summer crowds finally begin to shrink. The last week of August is a real sleeper. Oftentimes, you can find lodging or campsites that would be almost impossible in late June through mid-August. September is a great time of year in many respects. However, as the month progresses, the weather gets more hit and miss, and the wildlife watching steadily declines, particularly in the interior. Another factor on each end of the summer season is the availability of park facilities. Some are not open in late May or even early June. Many start closing in early to mid September.
4.) The largest turnout we ever had for a Loon gathering in Yellowstone was for the Allison Memorial in June of 2014. It coincided with the Summer Solstice. We lucked out and had perfect weather. Outside activities went off as planned. Hiking trails were dry for the most part. Fishing season was open.
5.) There were a number of years in the early 2000's where we had dual Loonions. One was centered around Memorial Day Weekend. The other was around the second week of June. The later Loonion was always the smaller of the two, but we had a number of Loons who just could not make the first one in May.
6.) If I were trying to maximize attendance at a Loonion, I would try to build a decision-making matrix factoring in (a) individual preferences, (b) individual calendar restrictions, and (c) apparent individual commitment. (A large part of why I burned out on organizing Loonions was the shrinking participation over time, even though some individuals were committing to participate. They just wouldn't show up. Geri's approach in recent years may be the best. She simply publishes when she and Bruce will be in the park, and invites the Loon community to join them at a specific place and time. It is "low maintenance". Where Loonions become "high maintenance" is when locals try to arrange special events that require high capacity venues or subject matter expert presenters. It can be great for attendees, but a real headache for the planners.)
7.) Having said all of the above, I will say that I suspect there may be a "reservoir" of pent up demand for a Loonion, and that might make for good participation and a good time.
Ballpark
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