More images from the park

this tree was begging to be photographed against Yellowstone Lake just after sunset

Storm Point trail

the ground cover is a mixture of colors near Fountain Paint Pots, almost like an Impressionist painting

beautiful bull bison traveling along the Madison River

love the colors in this photo - a perfect time of day at Lake

Self-care

The idea of self-care is something I aspire to.  You know, putting myself first, eating well, allowing only positive self-talk, partaking in hobbies & activities I fully enjoy, finding time to be creative, exercising, seeking solitude and moments for reflection, journaling, practicing gratitude, living in the moment.  These are all things I try to do, need to do, want to do.  But all of these things I just listed, no matter how beneficial, rewarding or valuable, sometimes seem like another to do list. 

Does anyone else feel that way?  

This is what I kind of feel like doing this afternoon - sleeping so hard that being on the floor of a loud, rumbling C-17 couldn't keep me awake.  This actually is a photo of me, asleep en route to Christchurch, NZ after spending 13 months at the South Pole.  Boy, was I tired.

I especially feel that way when my body is telling me to take it easy.  To sleep in.  To relax.  To just be.  And even more so when I'm living in this amazingly beautiful place.  It can be really difficult to give myself permission to look inward for what it is I need that could truly fall under the umbrella of self-care when I'm simultaneously fighting off feelings of guilt for not wanting to do a whole hell of a lot.  Today is one of those days.  

This is what I would like to be daydreaming about today - hanging at the beach on the South Island of New Zealand.  This is part of the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin.

But you know what?  Instead of beating myself up for not loading up my back pack and hiking into the back country for miles and miles today, I'm going to do what will put my mind and soul at ease, not to mention my feet and back.  I'm going to write post cards & letters.  I'm going to consume more chapters of the book currently on my e-reader.  I might go take a leisurely drive or walk to sit by a river later today....or not.  I'm going to go to bed early.  I'm going to take a long, hot shower and shave my legs.  I might treat myself to dinner at a restaurant.  I'm likely going to daydream a little.  And anything else I choose to do today is going to be on my terms, for my benefit, for my peace of mind, and that is more than okay.

Doesn't this look like a yummy plate of stir fry made with loads of fresh veggies and love by Tim?  If only I had a kitchen, some groceries and the boy here with me.

 

This is who I'd like to be spending and ending my day with.  (On the beach in Florence, Oregon during a road trip back in 2008.)

Relaxing in the park

These are a few of my favorite places to take deep breaths, listen, enjoy the breeze, welcome any wildlife that chooses to show itself and relish the stillness.  My Calgon-take-me-away spots.

Those of you who know the park are fully aware that this last spot isn't an easy one to have to yourself.  But it is possible to avoid the crush of people and imagine the Lower Falls is there solely for your viewing....at maybe 6 a.m.!  Sometimes just looking at this photo is enough to instantly let go of any stress in my day.

Yellowstone critters, big and small...and a view

a bull elk grazing near Canyon Village

a killdeer on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, just off the boardwalk of West Thumb Geyser Basin

Bighorn sheep ewes and  lamb on a steep hillside across from the Gardner River

an American white pelican fishing on the Yellowstone River - these birds have a wingspan of about nine feet!

my first black bear of the season strolling through the sage near Highway 191 where it passes through the park

an obstinacy of bison in Hayden Valley - love those little red dog calves

A bison rolling in the dirt.  It is believed that they do this to coat their fur to prevent insects from biting them.  I enjoy watching since that giant hump of bones, fat and muscle prevents them from rolling completely over and they stir up great clouds of dust.

One of my favorite views in the park.  These are the wide open spaces I dreamed about while living in New York for most of the last year.  Even the prettiest of river valleys cannot compare to this landscape.