Yellowstone Trip

We just returned from a week-long trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was a long drive, but we had a wonderful time. We met some family and friends there and ended up with quite a large group which made it even more fun, and a bit challenging at times.

We stayed one night in Jackson, WY, and the next day Alyssa and Colonel Vincent took a rafting trip down part of the Snake River where they saw bald eagles, osprey, deer, white pelicans, beaver lodges, and frogs. While they were gone, Jonathan and I napped and walked around the quaint town. Here we are standing by one of four huge arches made entirely of elk antlers they shed each year.Then we drove through the Grand Tetons and up to Yellowstone. The flowers were at their peak and were just gorgeous!

The kids enjoyed playing in the water, playing on the rocks, watching fish in the water... and did I mention playing in the water? Of course, no one got wet.

While in Yellowstone, we stayed in a cabin in Canyon Village and made day trips from there to see sights around the park. Over the next few days, I will post some pictures of our excursions.

To Be Content

I don't live in the mountains. Wind blowing through tall trees, green everywhere with clear blue sky above, fresh air, a mountain stream singing on its way to who knows where. Nope, I don't live there, although I'd love to.

I live on a tiny patch of green that is my yard on a very brown brushy hill in Southern California, with sounds of trains and heavy traffic blasting up to us from the valley. And at times we don't breathe by faith, we breathe by sight! I try to escape whenever I can, to refresh my spirit and rekindle the longing to live in the mountains... someday... But I'm learning to be content. It's taken some time - five years, in fact. But God put me here for the time being. And I'm learning that in whatever state I am, I can be content. It's a hard lesson for me, but I think I'm learning, little by little. I'm with my family, and God has blessed me with some very good friends. And for living in the city, my location is not too bad. We have a pretty good view from our hill, and on clear days we can even see the mountains in the distance. My kids have space. I don't have neighboring houses inches from mine. I have palm trees that serve as nests for barn owls, hooded orioles, and a host of other birds. When I put my feeders out I have hummingbirds come by the dozen. I need to keep looking for the little blessings that will keep my heart content. I still long for a better place, but perhaps that's the way God intended it.