I got back yesterday evening around 6:30 pm after a long day on the road, almost 12 hours. I drove back through Yellowstone National Park which required me to stop several times for photographs. I enjoyed this trip immensely. I camped two nights a Fremont Lake which gave me plenty of alone time except for the couple hours at the coffee shop writing my last post. I so needed that alone time. The time with Duane and Jan was also exactly what I needed. They kept me busy with things to see and do. I already miss them. I will post images from the trip over the next few days rather than one post with too many photos and words.
My original plans did not have me drive home through the park. Nor, did I expect to drive by Oxbow Bend. Last time I was in this area was 19 years ago. As I reflect on that I realize that was too long ago.
Arrived at Fremont Lake yesterday afternoon to clear skies and warm weather. I do not have wifi or cellular at my campsite, which is something I expected. Lets me know how much I use both.
My drive was without trouble. I encountered a ton of road construction on I-80. Seems they were working on the interstate all the way from Laramie to Rock Springs, Wyoming. I would also say 70% of all traffic was semi trucks. Once I turned onto 191 the semi trucks disappeared and the traffic switched to RVs, Vans, and trailers. The interstate follows two separate railroad tracks so I saw almost continuous trains going both east and west.
There are 39 campsites at the Fremont Lake Campground. All were taken except two which I didn’t expect. I chose #7 because it had shade trees while the other one was wide open but had a wonderful view of the lake. That turned out to be a good choice because of the protection by my sisters the trees and they helped isolate noise, letting me enjoy the quiet. My back was sore when I went to bed from all the driving but slept well until early morning. Camping is cheap for us seniors as it only cost me $15 for two nights.
I did some walking after setting up camp so I was able to get my steps in, and some. The area around the lake is a large boulder field and I’m talking big boulders. Wildlife is everywhere, deer, antelope, hawks and squirrels everywhere I turned. I did not remember how much boating there is on the lake. But, that was 19 years ago. I drove around yesterday evening to explore the area and took the above image while sitting on one of those large boulders. Such peace and quiet. I just may do it again this evening. The silence and quiet was a primary reason for this trip.
The wind began blowing hard about 4:39 am, followed by lightning and thunder. Then, a nice gentle rain began falling and rained for a good hour. I stayed dry. The trees protected me from the wind and some rain. So that was a good reason to choose this site. There is something magical for me to lay there warm, dry and listening to the rain. I did not sleep much after it began raining, so I’ve been up for a while. But, there’s always the afternoon power nap!
I drove into town with hopes to get my mocha latte fix, my internet fix and hopefully some early morning photos fix. Got all three! Now in a coffee shop call Pine Coffee Supply. It’s an old converted garage. They do their own roasting. I was here at 7:30 am when they opened and they have been busy every since I arrived. Could be because they are the only coffee shop in town. That’s the end of this update.
Gonna make a short road trip to a place just outside of West Yellowstone where my friends Duane and Jan are working in an RV park. Leaving this morning and be back on Tuesday evening. Planning on staying a couple nights at Fremont Lake near Pinedale, Wyoming then head to Montana Saturday morning. Last time I was there was 2003 shooting with my new Nikon D100. It was part of a trip I made up to Seattle to visit my sister and brother-in-law. Expecting to be offline for a few days. Hold down the fort!
“We usually miss You, cluttering our minds with expectations about where and how and who You are, but if we trust giving up our seeking and let ourselves know You in everything that is, even what’s concealed from us, we come to find You everywhere, at all times and in an equal way, no matter how strange this might seem to us.”
Meister Eckhart’s Book of Secrets
I believe the above is written from the perspective that You is referring to God. Even though the author is Christian his concept of You is not confined to a box but goes way beyond that. His You is not an object or deity. I also feel that way. I find it interesting to reread this and each time replace the word You with God, Love, Reality, Great Spirit, Compassion, Beauty, Nature, Creator, Truth, Justice, Peace, Serenity… and none of these are objects or material things. Thanks for listening…
Everything is His. the door, the door jamb. The wood stacked near the door. The leaves blown upon the path that leads to the door. The trees that are dropping their leaves the wind that is tripping them this way and that way, the clouds that are high above them, the stars that are sleeping now beyond the clouds
and, simply said, all the rest.
When I open the door I am so sure so sure all this will be there, and it is. I look around. I fill my arms with the firewood. I turn and enter His house, and close His door.
amazing gold and yellow their scent brightens the mood remembering you
ms
Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my mother’s death. I found myself spending time in the afternoon at the CSU Trial Gardens which is not the norm for me. I love how we can be lead to do certain things or be in a certain place because of that whisper from deep within. These strawflowers excited me because of their amazingly gold and yellow colors. I know nothing about them so when I returned home I did some research on these lovely flowers. From the Farmers Almanac website I found that strawflowers represent someone or something that is “always remembered.” Maybe those who have died really haven’t left us but are always with us, whispering from deep within us.