Favorite Trails #4

The Cascade Lake Trailhead was only a couple of minutes from where we stayed at Canyon Village so it was one of our early votes for a hike. We were there before 7 a.m. and started down the path in low fog and clouds. It was a little eerie to be passing through meadows and forests, over muddy creeks, and routes edged in wildflowers new to me. The fogginess along willow-lined muddy creek area kept us looking out for a surprised moose or bison. Talking to each other, making noise, was important to warn wildlife of our approach.

The Sugarbowls and Crimson Paintbrush were incredible in the morning sun. We watched on the hillside as the only other person on the trail approached Cascade Lake to fish. The sun highlighted his fishing line like a scratch across the glassy reflection of the trees in the water. It was a very peaceful morning.

I can tell you with great gratitude that it is a blessing to travel life's path with a partner that sometimes leads, sometimes follows, always encourages, and is trustworthy. Because of the way I grew up I tire of relationships that become possessive, abusive, mean, and disrespectful. My most precious thing at this stage of my life is my TIME. I don't want to waste it doing things I don't enjoy, and being with people I don't trust or like or we do not have shared values. My freedom is precious and I am not likely to give it away and go back into jail. Dancing with my grandchildren, making up silly songs, trudging along a canyon's edge or steep trail with my love is what I crave. We adore each other. I do not feel like I have to protect myself from them. Safety with whom I hang out and risk taking with someone I love...those are treasures worth more than diamonds.

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The Lord is my strong Shelter...He guides and protects me.

Specimen Ridge Trail

At the same time the sky was threatening a shower the wildlife and flowers were commanding my attention to stay awhile. It seemed like my body was trying to hurry down to safety as the lightning was showing itself in the not so distant sky. However, the antelope and baby, butterflies, marmot, and wildflowers were asking to be photographed before I left the mountain. It was quite a long hike, but never boring.

The best way to avoid crowds at Yellowstone is to take advantage of the hiking through scenic and fantastic countryside. A little more length and difficulty will almost guarantee that you will be nearly by yourselves. It is a wonderful opportunity to breathe deeply and thank God for his wonderful works!

Favorite Trails #3

Another of our favorite trails was the Specimen Trail that headed up to the rim of the Yellowstone canyon and followed along the rim back down to the Yellowstone River Picnic Area. The sky began to darken as we were at the top, so hurried down and split off so Eric could go get the car in the other lot and pick me up at the picnic area.

On the way to the trailhead we spotted an osprey scooping through a lake. It gathered its treasure and carried it off in its talons to the canyon rim where we would hike. We spotted several flying over the deep canyon when we reached the top. The power in their flight and the size of the canyon had quite an effect; especially with the sky darkening, the wind increasing, and the sprinkles warning of a respectable afternoon shower. I will show you some of the little pictures along the trail in my next post.

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He will lift you up on eagle's wings.

Lost Lake Loop

Some of the bigger picture of Lost Lake...

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Fairest Lord Jesus,
Fairer than the Woodlands
which He created at the Beginning...

Another New Wildflower

We found this flower along the Lost Lake Loop trail beginning behind the Roosevelt Lodge up by Tower in northern Yellowstone. It is a white campion. The generic name, Lychnis, is derived from a Greek word meaning 'lamp' in reference to its bright flowers. When I look at the photo now it will bring to mind that God's word is a 'lamp unto my feet.'

At times the switchbacks on this trail were fairly steep, but the lush hillsides and beautiful Lost Lake were worth the two hour hike. A young couple with two daughters hiked along with us. They were from Wisconsin, and the girls 8 and 5 were quite the outdoors(wo)men already! They had heard that there had been a bear hanging around the petrified tree area, and were comfortable going in a bigger group. Maybe they thought they could run faster than we old folks if need be. (c;

When we hiked past Lost Lake, partially covered with some pond lilies, there were two bison resting at the fence where the trail turned back towards the lodge. They were quite comfortable and seemed undisturbed by our passing. Those experiences of being out in the wild have so enriched my life. They will be scenes my memory visits in my day and night dreams.

I will give you the 'big' picture of Lost Lake in the next post.

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Acknowledge Him in all ways and He will direct your path.