Grandma Bighorn, a Sweet Goodbye

Posted on by Joy

It has been a gray winter in Yellowstone. Overcast, snow, and WIND. During a few days stay in mid-February, however, there was a sweet moment early in the week. We pulled into a protected pullout near the Yellowstone River. This poor old grandma Bighorn sheep headed toward us and we retreated to make room, but there is not much room to retreat in this pullout. OK, OK, she was about 10 feet away–don’t tell. We are supposed to stay 25 yards from such wildlife, even when they come to us. Broken horn on far side, looks like arthritis in her front shoulders, eyes somewhat sunken, moving very slow–all alone and females travel in groups. For a few minutes she just hung with us, checking us out every once in a while but not anxious, fearful, or in a rush to leave. Perhaps for a moment we offered safety and a sense of peace. With our presence, wolves are very unlikely. We may be just about the last people to see her alive.

A tribute to your life, sweet girl.

Slowing Down to Consider Perspective

Posted on by Joy

Perspective, the way we see the world. Making meaningful interrelationships that gives depth to our understandings. If we have a difficult decision to make, it can help to ask others for their points of view. You might go for a walk, clear your head, and look at the facts again from a different angle. How you view events, people, and life is your perspective, but I challenge you to see different views from different angles that give new possibilities to your perspective.  As my friend Paul says, “If you are willing to do that, you might just find something beautiful in a mud puddle!”

In photography . . .

Pinnacles–Our Newest National Park

Posted on by Joy

Hi everyone! We have a lot of catching up to do so let’s get started.  Last December a friend and I visited Pinnacles National Park, California, our newest National Park. Pinnacles is the fifth smallest park encompassing approximately 26,606 acres. It is about 50 miles inland from the coast and 80 miles south of San Jose in the Gabilan Mountain Range. It is also only a few miles west of the San Andreas Fault which we’ll talk of later.

In 2003 Pinnacles joined the California Condor Recovery Program when the bird was close to extinction. The park currently co-manages 86 wild condors in central California. It is also home to a number of threatened species including bats, amphibians, and reptiles. I sure hope we see a condor today on our walk to the pinnacles! Check out the green rock used to make the welcome sign.  We’ll discuss geology as we go and, of course, the famous fault.

Entrance

Let’s go, lots to see . . .

Slickrock, Arches, and Sentinels–Utah’s Red Rocks

Posted on by Joy

Last May 1st I hiked in Utah’s amazing Kodachrome Basin State Park. It’s time I shared this beautiful walk with you. The national parks in Utah are fantastic, but I was awed by the less crowded state parks. They offer such beauty with an up-close-and-personal feel. Today we’ll walk the 1.7 mile loop called Shakespeare Arch-Sentinel Trail. Come along into red rock country!

Watch your step . . .