Tuesday, August 5, 2008

If I Could Snuggle the Woods, I Would

So as you know, I was in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, WY this past week. Mr. W and I flew into Jackson on Wednesday afternoon, picked up our rental car and then drove about 3 hours to West Yellowstone to stay for the night.
As soon as we entered the south gate of the park, I could feel myself rejuvenating. Being in nature—especially somewhere as spectacular as Yellowstone—has a profound effect on my psyche. It’s like having God Himself tap me on the shoulder and go, “Check this out, I made this for you.” I feel so at peace. At one. Fortunate.

The first place Mr. W and I stopped was Lewis Falls. As we crunched up the trail to look over the tumble of water, I could literally feel my spirits rising. I would love to know if exposure to fresh air and the smell of soil and pine can actually release Serotonin in the brain. (Note: I may have been equally excited when I discovered the Jacuzzi bathtub in our hotel room.)
We were also privileged to witness fields and fields of wildflowers. Rabbitbrush, lupine, fireweed, paintbrush and yellow monkeyflower polka dotted the hillsides and the riverbanks. Everything we saw seemed extra vibrant—pastel petals, cobalt sky, flickering sage-colored Aspen leaves.
My favorite sights, however, were the fuzzy wuzzies. We saw a bald eagle, a buffalo, some antelope or elk (they all kind of look alike when they don’t have antlers…), a durkle of baby ducks (What’s the proper word for that kind of group? Gaggle? School? Hoard?), a marmit and several hawks and magpies.We also saw these guys and many of there brethren in various stores throughout Jackson Hole. I was margarita tipsy when I took this shot through a store window, finding it funnier than I probably would’ve sober. Poor little coonie-pie and squirrelypants…
You’re probably wondering where all the geyser shots are. Be patient, my children. The geyser post will erupt in time.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh.... I love Coonie Pie and Squirrelypants! I would have taken a picture too, and I promise I'm not drunk. Just strung out on sudafed and advil right now. Time to go use the Neti Pot.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been to Jackson Hole in years and miss it terribly. I am looking forward to more pics.

Did you happen to get any pics of cute cowboys in butt-hugging jeans? For your readers, of course, we know that you'd have no interest in that. Right?

Nilsa S. said...

What a great vacation. Back to nature. You can't beat it. Thanks for the pictures - can't wait to see more (despite your pun!).

Bretthead said...

You are a durkle of yellow monkeyflowers. Tell Mr. W he can borrow that - your words after all.

Melissa Maris said...

Sister - You would've cried if you saw Cooniepie and Squirrelypants in person. It was SO sad seeing all these dead animals in little poses with props.

Dingo - Yeah, JH is incredible. I didn't see any cowboys...but I wasn't really looking when Mr. W is so dang cute!

Nilsa - Awe, c'mon! You didn't like the geyser pun?! How could I resist it?!

Wow TWA - That might be the most romantic thing any man has ever said to me. I would like to become a sister wife in your family.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about all that hiking, but the jacuzzi sounds like a vacation!

Anonymous said...

Had you ever been to Yellowstone before? We went for several years in a row when I was in high school, but I haven't been back since. I thought I was going to go a couple of years ago but... well, that's a story for another day. Anyway, you mentioned something about a link to other pictures?

I hope you didn't get too close to the bison!

Bretthead said...

Ok, but I'm not moving to Utah!

Anonymous said...

The US has so much beauty of it's own, and seeing all of this with snow is still another treat. I am glad you had the chance to return, but let it be only a taste - and plan to return again for a longer period of time. I hear the spring and fall is the best time for animal watching. Although we had plenty in the winter. The National Park system is the best. And there is plenty more to see!
You can thank Sara for planning the wedding there.

Michael C said...

I can tell you that I am totally sober right now and found that pic pretty damn funny! Now I think I need to go get me a good fill o'nature.

Melissa Maris said...

Coconut - It was great - I laid in the tub and watched Sex and the City in our room the second night!

Geekhiker - Yes I went when I was 15 and have been dying to get back ever since. I was long overdue, and unfortunately short on time - so I guess I'll have to plan yet another trip!

Wow TWA - How about LA? ;)

Mom - That was very poetic. We should get you a job with Hallmark. When are you paying for all of us to go snowmobiling with you?

Michael - I know, it is funny. But sad. There was also a raccoon holding a Cracker Jacks box. Poor little guy probably never got to eat those when he was alive!