Signal Mountain Summit Road

The first time we visited Jackson Hole we couldn't get up this road because of closure due to still heavy snow. I had no idea what we had missed. The other thing that came to mind was what you see on the way back down the mountain that you didn't see on the way up. The perspective, light, and revelation change with each turn in each direction. Every panorama is magnificent. I found each of these views of Jackson Lake on the way down the mountain from Jackson Point Overlook. It seemed like every few seconds, as with a sunset, another image was revealed that called for another photograph.

The Snake River sliced its way through the verdant valleys. I just know there were moose hiding down there, but cannot complain as the count was 19 without seeing any from the overlook. Just a slightly different time of year, one month later than the previous trip to Jackson, we had a bountiful experience of new roads, new flowers, new tastes, and many treasures in our hearts and minds to recall of God's beautiful creation.

These are some 'big' pictures from Signal Mountain. I will show you some equally awesome 'little' pictures of the area in the next post.

Petite Pretties

We came upon what seemed to be a motorcycle trailhead while we were driving through the red hills. It was closed to motorcycles at the time so we walked it instead. It provided some of the most memorable and peaceful hours of the trip. We walked through what seemed to have been burned sagebrush. It gave a stunning contrast to the wildflowers growing around it. I also saw butterflies and wildflowers along the path and stream that I had not seen before. The elk thistle caught my eye, and I was able to identify it later from a field guide of wildflowers. I fell in love with the little woodlandstar. The tiny little blue butterflies as well as others were everywhere along the path. As I looked at these photos of small things along this path and remembered the colors and smells I went again to that grateful place that can turn a day around because of focusing on things for which to be grateful.

I think when we are open to being grateful and praising God for the petite, little things, we are perhaps given more, even if it is only a change of attitude. Don't you just want to pour out and be generous to a humble and thankful person? I have a hunch God can't resist grateful kids!

Along Gros Ventre

Leaving the sharp massive peaks of the Tetons and entering the massive rolling red hills of Gros Ventre was like entering another world. The big valleys, huge Gros Ventre River, and swells of red and grey hills afforded a different perspective of the Jackson Hole area. The pictures of small things in the blog to follow were equally enchanting. Whether the eyes were on the skies or the butterflies, it was a great way to spend the afternoon. It brought in the spirit the need for praise and thanksgiving to a God of great works and blessings.

Gros Ventre

This 'face' drew us onto a long highway heading east on Gros Ventre Road the first time we visited Jackson several years ago. We were there a month earlier in the year, and the 'slide' had more snow in it. Up close it looks like the face on the Campbell's Soup can. The trees that remain in the crater left by the slide of 1925 look like eyelashes.

This time when we took the road we went past where we turned around last time. The wonderful secrets of the red hills and arid yet flowery trails were quite the contrast to the dark grey-blue Grand Tetons sharply pointing in the distance. Such sharply contrasting geology has always been intriguing to me. But following a 'face' on the side of a mountain...who could resist?

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At this point in my life there are 'roads' I want to pursue and roads I will not continue to travel. I pursue relationships that are uplifting and nurturing. I back out of those that are abusive or manipulative. Even verbal abuse from an organization, albeit a church, is a sign to get off that road. Abusers don't like it when you get and hold boundaries about treatment. Beating down a person, whether it be with words or body parts, still leaves wounds. Jealous accusation or possession by another kills affection. Abuse kills respect, kills love, kills relationship, kills bodies.

I have seen the effects as a massage therapist that even verbal abuses have on a mind and body. Sometimes verbal abuse in the forms of name-calling, shaming, manipulations, in its insidiousness, is hard to identify. But when you are the receiver or target of it, it is like your body and mind boundaries being raped. Verbal abuse is a life-stealer. Tough words, but the experiences and results of injury are undeniable.

I believe that God has made me a warrior woman in being able as a teenager to draw a line in the sand and stand up to my father's abuse. I threatened to tell, and did. He continued the pattern on other siblings and future wives and children. I discovered the inner strength to stand up to him and consequently stand up for and minister to other women that are trying to leave a cycle of abuse.

Seeking His face leads you into the battlefield. The sword is raised. His right hand goes before us. He is worthy to be praised and we are worthy to be saved. Jesus came for that very thing. He is awesome, and believes we are, too.

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My heart says of you, " Seek his face!"

Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path, because of my oppressors....

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27 8-14

More Cascade Lake

We kept walking just a little further on the path circling the lake. As we turned the corner we were surprised with a glorious hillside of breathtaking wildflowers. We sat in them for awhile as we watched the reflections on the lake and enjoyed the quite woodlands. There were so many new flowers I had not seen before along this path. The pink geranium was everywhere, but the pink prairie smoke was subtle and soft. It drew you in to its beauty.

Our Bridegroom delighted in us and sang over us as our souls were satisfied and delighted with the gift of this gorgeous refuge.

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My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
See! The winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth,
the season of singing has come."
Song of Songs 2:10-12