A week has gone by since I’ve seen a Wyoming sunset. The drive home was a continuation of fun and beautiful sights. Visits to Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, and the Badlands made for an exciting return trip. (In addition to great conversation with my dear friend and travel companion).

As I look back on my adventure, I do so with a smile on my face. During a pandemic and a time of political strife, I was able to enjoy myself by simply connecting with nature and the great outdoors. My days spent outside were the perfect escape! I am so glad I spent very little time watching TV or being online. I did not let the negativity pollute my world. I chose happy!

Who knows what amazing sights and sounds may await you if you venture outside. The sight and sounds of these amazing trumpeter swans were an unexpected surprise. (It’s obvious how they earned their moniker)

Now that I’m home, I want to make sure the outdoors continue to play an important part of my daily routine. I’m heading to the park shortly. And although I don’t expect to see Mountain Goats and Trumpeter Swans, I will be looking up and around for what the parks close to home have to offer.

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere”

Memories light the corners of my mind.

My memories of this adventure will remain with me forever! I am so sad to leave Wyoming today, but we are heading to Mount Rushmore, so the fun continues. It seems like only yesterday I was planning this amazing trip, packing for it, then pulling out of the drive to begin it! I can’t say that I am ready for it to end, but I do want to see my family. So arriving home will be sweet. The race, the photography, the friends and family that I did spend time with.

The people that I met.

The incredible wildlife that never ceased to amaze me!

And the fabulous views ….

All adding up to a trip of a lifetime. One that I will remember for ever!! And one that inspired me to further pursue my love of photography and to also find a way to become an advocate for our wonderful wildlife. And one that solidified my desire to continue to explore!!!

I love this beautiful country!! Wyoming, I’ll see you in the spring!!

Or, maybe we should thank Ferdinand Hayden and Ulysses S. Grant. Hayden was an American geologist who convinced congress to make Yellowstone a National Park in 1872. It was signed into law by President Grant. Over 2.2 million acres of complete splendor and beauty. Protected land. . .safe from development and destruction.

Everyone has their reasons for visiting the park. I think Old Faithful is probably at the top for most visitors. There are over 10,000 thermal features within the park.

As I ride through the park, I try not to think about the fact that one of the world’s largest active volcanoes lies beneath Yellowstone. Instead, I keep my eyes out for the active wildlife that call Yellowstone home.

I am very sad that Yellowstone closes today for the season. I have loved every single minute that I’ve spent in the park during this adventure! The good news is there are 62 National Parks in our great nation. There are state parks and forests. Many more places that have all of my favorite things!!!

So Goodbye Yellowstone for now! See you in the spring!!

This administration has rolled back more than 125 environmental safeguards. I just wrote a letter to the Bureau of Land Management to voice my opinion about their destructive plan to explore the Arctic Refuge. I would just encourage everyone to be aware of the actions that are being taken now which will impact our lands and wildlife for future generations. We need more safeguards, not less!

I have spent many hours by the Jackson Dam and the Snake River. Amazing venues bringing great joy and wonder. Although I think of Lisa everyday, it is the visits to the river where she enters my thoughts more vividly. Lisa, such a beautiful soul, is fighting hard to recover from her accident. I take advantage of the visits to pray for her recovery. She is a wonderful mother, wife, sister, daughter/daughter-in-law, niece, friend, and so much more. I can’t help think that these majestic views would inspire her artistic spirit. I can only hope and pray that someday she can see the amazing sights of the Tetons.

2020 has been a cruel year. Brent does not deserve to be without his wife. Mateo and Dom do not deserve to be without their mother. I pray for Lisa, I pray for my nephew, Brent. He has been so strong through these difficult times. Being such an amazing father to his two sons, running the family business, visiting his wife at a time when in person visits are not allowed. Telling his wife to be strong and that he loves her through an open window. I pray for Mateo and Dom who are doing their best to get through these difficult times, being such brave young men.

I have loved this boy since the day he was born, my love and respect for him have grown even more over the past 6 months as he has persevered through this tragedy. I want nothing more than for him to have his family back intact. They share a sense of adventure. I can’t wait to hit the road with them!!

Lisa, beautiful woman, so many people are praying for you and the thoughts and prayers are all the same. . . Come back – you are loved and your family needs you.

If you are reading this, can you please say a prayer for Lisa, Brent, Mateo and Dom?🙏🏻

A young girl asks for one thing for her birthday – a pony ride. At three years old, Charlee displays a love of animals that melts my heart.

She loves her dog Berkeley, she loves birds, and she loves just about every living creature she comes across. And at her young age, she has come across many!! (Ask her daddy how many times she asked to ride Freida)

A young girl visits the Grand Teton National Park. She sees 399 and her 4 cubs. It makes an impact. She instantly falls in love. She goes back to New York and tells her friends. At 5 years old, Scarlett wanted to be one thing for Halloween.

“I want to be 399!”

My heart melts! She loves her little dog – Flutie – and just about every dog she comes across during her visits to Central Park. And she was in awe of all the animals she came across during her visit to Wyoming.

If I can pass on one thing to my young nieces and nephews, it would be my love of animals. We need a generation of children growing up understanding the importance of animals. We need a generation of children who will be the voice of the animals who need to remain on (or added to) the Endangered Species Act. We need children to understand that we have an obligation to treat animals better. If these two are any indication of what’s to come, I believe there is hope.

The beautiful trees once splendent with the crisp yellow and orange tones, now stand bare and gray. Depending on where you are – the change of seasons may be subtle or may be more severe. In some places, temperatures may vary by 30 degrees from one day to the next. Like the evergreen tree that stands tall, prepared to persevere through the cold winter days. . .we too must remain strong and resilient to the changes that lie ahead.

I hear many people say. . . “I hate winter”. I say, life is too short to hate a quarter of your year!! Begin thinking now of how you can enjoy the season ahead.

Of course I would encourage you to spend more time outdoors (you burn more calories just taking a walk on a cold winter day). Coming up with a list of items you want to complete when you are indoors can make the season more tolerable.

Read more books, begin a yoga program, take a cooking or painting class, start a new hobby, organize your sock drawer – whatever it is, have a plan to do things that make you happy during the cold winter months. (it’s said that the cold helps us sleep better at night) I love running in the cold!! So I’m looking forward to winter.

Being out here where the snow came fast and furious today just made me think about how important it is to enjoy each and every season. After winter, the evergreen will still stand strong – the bare trees will regain their color, and you will be opening your windows to let in the first warm gentle spring breezes!! And you know what I always say…..Choose Happy!!!

Most of my waking hours during this amazing adventure have been spent outdoors. I read a study that stated most people spend 90% of their time indoors and as they age, that number goes up even more. I made a promise to myself that when I return home, I will continue to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Most of you are probably aware of the benefits of spending time outside – both from a mental and physical perspective. My main reason for spending time outside is ….. it makes me happy!! I love spending time in nature.

I would encourage everyone to unplug and go outside. It doesn’t have to be a trek up a mountain. It may be a walk around the block, a hike in the woods, sitting by a stream or lake, meditating in a garden, strolling on a beach … anything that gets you out the door will do!!!

The great outdoors can lift your spirits, it can help you de-stress, and it can help eliminate fatigue. Spending time outside helps lower blood pressure and helps fight anxiety, and has also been known to boost your immune system (can’t we all use that now!). Why not give it a shot!!

I was planning on sticking close to the condo today – doing Yoga, maybe catching the Steelers game, cleaning up a little before my friends arrive tomorrow – but then the text comes! “There’s grizzlies at Two Oceans”. That’s all it took! Grabbed the camera and out the door I flew! And I’m so glad I did. I was able to catch a quick glance of 610 and her two cubs

And I saw a Moose and a Bull Elk.

But I have to say – my fine feathered friends stole the show today. The Eagle, the Hawk, and the Owl won the day!!

I hope looking at these photos brings a smile to your face. I love being able to capture their beauty and share their magnificence with you. Birds play an incredibly important role in our ecosystem. I also know that a sighting can bring so much joy – all you have to do is Look Up!!

And the day ended with an incredible sunset!! So no yoga, I don’t know who won the game, and the condo really wasn’t that messy to begin with. I made the right choice!!

I haven’t forgotten about my fine feathered friends. It’s just that the furry ones have dominated lately. I shared my 10 favorite backyard bird photographs last month. I thought I would share my top 10 bird photos from this adventure. It was not easy to narrow the list to 10. My #1 favorite is an eagle sitting in the Snake River. I have seen eagles fly, I have seen them walking on the ground . .. I have seen them perched in trees and sitting in their nests … but I have never seen an eagle just sitting in a river!!! This is one of my favorite photographs from the entire trip so far…

And the runner ups…..

Started the day at one of my favorite spots. The dam at Jackson Lake. I love the views of the Tetons. I love watching the Snake River emerge from the dam. The flow of the river is so peaceful as its 800 mile journey begins. Two mergansers have been frequent visitors, always sticking close to the dam. As well as two bald eagles, flying high above the evergreens on the other side of the river. But today, today was something really special! On the other side of the river I could see 3 grizzlies. Not well, as they blended into the landscape, their colors matching the brown hue of the autumn grass.

It was still a thrill to know they were there. I soon found out it was 610 and her cubs. 610 is the daughter of 399. As word spread (as somehow it always does), the riverbank filled with folks anxious to get a look.
It was very cold and very windy. At best, some folks were able to view the pronounced shoulder humps of the three bears, but not much more. The crowd began to thin. But I walked further down the river. And much to my surprise… out of the thick grass came 610!!!!

Followed shortly by one of her cubs. What happened next was amazing! The two started across the river.

Half way across, the little cub stopped. She knew something was amiss. (Her sibling had not followed) 610 stopped and began calling.

To no avail. The 2nd cub was not coming. More calls and then…the two knew they had to go back!!

I stood holding my breath – hoping that the second cub would be found!! Then…there she was!! Reunited and on their way they went. A sigh of relief.

Family stands by family. Always. It’s a tough world out here for the bears. Unfortunately, grizzly cubs have a low survival rate. But 610’s cubs are two years old and doing very well. This family is sticking together! They have each other’s backs. Right now is a tough time for families everywhere. Everyone is dealing with something. If someone needs you, let them know that you won’t cross the river without them. Let them know that they can always count on you! That’s how we will all get through these unsettling times. Let’s have each other’s backs!!