Beautiful Bison

The bison of Yellowstone now number in the thousands because of effective herd management programs. This is amazing considering the population was on fifty at the turn of the century. The calves were everywhere, as were the bison. In fact, they were often right outside our cabin at Canyon Village, or blocking the entrance or exit to the parking lots. It gave a false sense of security about how approachable they seemed.

At one point we had to laugh because we had just passed a car jam and people standing at the side of the road to get a glimpse and picture of a bison way across a huge meadow. If they had only gone around the bend they would have been stopped as the bison crossed the road and stopped traffic in both directions. It was not uncommon to see these huge beautiful animals lumber peacefully across the path or be resting, as one giant beast, right outside the toilet at the parking lot for the Lower Falls. People were leaning down close to the animal's face to get pictures and who knows what. I did not want to stay around to see.

I think lots of folks don't take them seriously as wild animals because they seem to saunter along like cows. But the truth is that bison kill more folks than moose or bear. The other time we visited the area our hot air balloon pilot told us a story about how a father put his toddler on the back of a bison to get a picture. Fortunately, the child was not hurt. But then the man mounted and the bison threw him off and injured him.

Oh, this beauty!

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone demands as much respect as the 'other' Grand Canyon. It is more than twenty miles long and one thousand to fifteen hundred feet deep. It is revealed in changing baths of light as the sun finds and fades on its brilliant colored walls and waters.

When I have been fortunate to be in a place of such heights and depths of breathtaking canyons I am reminded of the words in Isaiah about God weighing the mountains in a balance and the hills in scales. That vision is beyond understanding when actually looking at some of His mountains and canyons. It brings me to my knees to worship and honor Him, to boast of Him if I would boast of anything.

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OH, THIS BEAUTY!
copyright 2003

You weighed the mountains in a balance;
And the hills in a pair of scales.
You made the clouds that float above their peaks
With the hands that took the nails.

You made the tree that made the cross
You hung upon for all of us.

Oh, this beauty!
Let me draw it in;
So that You may draw it out again
In song,
That I may boast of You!

You made each 'blue' that paints the sky,
The wild aster, and the lake.
Your canyon walls and waterfalls
Have made my spirit quake.

You made the tree that made the cross
You hung upon for all of us.

Oh, this beauty!
Let me draw it in;
So that You may draw it out again
In song,
That I may boast of You!

Thirsty?

I read some statistics today that during high water in June, 64,000 gallons of water PER SECOND tumble over the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Doesn't that boggle your mind? That is some drink of water.

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Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4:13

Free Falling

It is hard to photograph any waterfalls and get a true interpretation of the power, sound, enormity, and awesomeness of the tons of water falling down into the canyon and splashing back up into sprays of often rainbowed showers. These shots of the South Rim, Artist Point, and different perspectives of the falls gives a good feeling of the broad, steep and long action of the falls.

There was a time not too long ago that I never would have been in these positions leaning over railing to get these shots. But I have been delivered of much of my fear of heights. I don't stand in stupid or dangerous places, but am able to get much closer to deep drops than I used to be able to tolerate.

There is much joy in taking a risk and jumping into the arms of my Heavenly Father. It gives me the prize of freedom from fear. I have found lately that I need that deliverance again from my fear of the future in some situations. Future events are appearing real and pretty darn scary. So I am jumping again this morning into the secure embrace of Jesus. I feel safe there. My earthly father was not a safe person, so when others threaten my safety I need to engage my leap of faith that God is in control. He is my safe passage through whatever happens.

Keeping his eyes on Jesus instead of the storm is what enabled Peter to walk on water. I am stepping out of the boat. I have gone under a few times lately with a few swipes from the storm, but I know looking into his face will help me look past circumstances and walk in freedom.

Wild About Wyoming

I am WILD about Jesus, WILD about wildflowers, and think there is a connection. When I look at the faces of these wildflowers, some of which I do not know the names, I know that Jesus knows each of their names and each of ours.

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If you look for me in earnest you will find me when you seek me.