Wild Memories Photography Tours

Giving thanks for all of the moments Yellowstone has given me over the past three years.

Thanksgiving alone in a national park?  I say yes, you ought to try spending the holiday in a park if your personal circumstance gives you the opportunity.

This Thanksgiving marks the fourth in a row – the past three here in Yellowstone, and my tradition began 4 years ago in Zion NP where I camped out for the month of November.

Today was great for a little quiet, alone time in the park.  After a winter storm blew through yesterday, the clouds gave way to blue sky, sunshine and fresh snow – just perfect for a snowshoe hike into the backcountry.  No doubt that the bears are hibernating now, as I have not seen any on carcasses throughout the northern range, but still a good idea to carry bear spray, just in case.

And, so I donned snowshoes, grabbed camera and binoculars and took off up a steep hill and then followed fox tracks along a ridge line where I had 360 degree views of many areas of the park.  About a mile along the trail, as I turned to take this pano image with my iPhone, the gratitude draped over me like a fuzzy warm blanket.  Me, of all people in the world – old, broke, broken down – had the privilege of spending my holiday in the park amongst the scenery, quiet and wild animals.  And, for three full years during which I have slowly experienced the healing of body, mind and soul.  Not sure people get much luckier than that.

On my way up to the ridge, a herd of big horns suddenly came running out of no where – acting as if they were running for their lives but I never saw anything chasing them.  Never found the prints either, except for those of that fox that I never saw.

Along this trail is one of the largest glacial erratics I have ever seen.  Glacial erratics are large boulders that were scattered over the landscape, left behind by a glacier that carved its way over hills, creating valleys.

Hiking above the Yellowstone River I came to a thermal feature, spouting steam through the snow, called Calcite Springs.

And then there were interesting trees, some whole, some dead and broken, some twisted into interesting shapes.  But, I must say that every time I encounter this tall stump with the large hole, it captures my imagination.  Kind of reminds me of an opera singer, mouth open, arms dramatically spread out…

I stayed on the ridge line, heading back towards my car, hoping to find the big horns posing elegantly on a steep rise overlooking the river.  They were not posing as I imagined but they looked beautiful in the fresh white snow and with the midday sun touching their red eyes.

I couldn’t get around the big horns to continue to my car without getting too close and so I sat in the snow on a hill above them for awhile.  But, unfortunately, when I struggled to my feet, it disrupted the crowd and they made a hasty exit.  And, things were going so well.  Would have been nice to end my hike with the big horns still relaxing for an afternoon nap.

My legs were a little tired and my thighs burned just a little by the time I got back to the car.  My stomach growled for food, finally showing some interest for the first time all day.  And, I wanted a nap.

While I love watching the wolves, getting off of the road and hiking back to the silence made my day feel so much more complete – definitely full of rewards.

So, one last thing.  Earlier in the day I found 3 moose!  Finally – my first for the winter.

It was quite a day – a day to always be thankful for – in Yellowstone.

Deby