the park
Locals call Yellowstone the Park. Since I’m fortunate enough to call this place home, the least I can do is share it with you. I rolled through the Park with no expectations. Well. (cocks head to the right) Alright, I didn’t think there would be so many others out and about, but here we all are enjoying public lands even during the shoulder season. Rewarded with the everyday experience of nature and animals simply trying to stay alive, it may not seem like much to you while it’s everything to me.
Slough Creek
My day began with class and rehearsal. Ok, actually saying goodbye to TAJ for the week. Y’all! He is FINALLY taking those retirement trips I’ve been begging him to go on! Anyway, I vowed to give myself ballet classes on weekends and run…oh wait. I didn’t tell you the mess I got myself into. So, um. I’m performing Sugar Plum for Nutcracker. I’m too easy, I know. Too old to be going back to performing but I simply cannot resist opportunities to be on stage.
Back to the original tale though, I said goodbye, headed to the studio, then stopped for gas and a breakfast treat before rolling down the highway to the Park. This bluebird day too perfect for a drive on backcountry roads. First stop: a pullout with picturesque views and a sweet spot of fall color in the creases. Munching on my breakfast burrito, I text Slizzle pictures of the spot I forgot to take her to. Oops!
Mt. Maurice
a wider scale of Mt. Maurice that includes a bit of the Beartooths
The pics captured and sent to Slizzle
Barely past entering the Wyoming border, there’s a turn off that guides you to Sunlight Basin. This path, known as the Chief Joseph Byway, meanders through surreal views before linking to the Beartooth Scenic Byway. As I drove, attempting to simultaneously admire the views and remain on the road amidst hairpin turns around massive drop offs, I thought about my friend, Maggie. How I wanted desperately to share these wild spaces with her.
I’ll never get that chance though, unfortunately. Some say that is the hardest part of loss and grief. Yet, I think it may be the easy portion. The hard part, to me, being how life simply goes on without ceasing without delay without the hole in your life noticeable to others. This special bluebird day will be dedicated to her anyway.
Chief Joseph Highway leads to the distinctive Pilot Peak
Entering the Park through the East entrance hits a bit different. No crowds for the first few miles, the vastness of Lamar Valley expanding your perspective on life, the ability to soak in the calm of nature before inevitably running into crowds all capture the spirit of the place people are trending towards in droves. I understand why. It holds my heart too, after all. However, I wonder if everyone else is just as contented as I am to simply sit in the peacefulness without experiencing a “special” wildlife sighting.
When I stopped near Slough Creek to admire a spot I’ve been wanting to see more closely, I listened to the humans around me impatiently waiting for a black bear to emerge from behind a boulder. Softly, I pointed out a bald eagle swooping through the air. While I walked toward a large rock that seemed perfect to stand on for gazing over the scenery, the bald eagle flew by the parking pullout, eye level and mere feet from us.
I knew in that moment, I was here for that sighting. The sighting that Maggie would have been most enamored with experiencing. She loved bald eagles. Their power. Their awe-inspiring presence of calm despite their terrifying ability to tear apart meals as large as themselves. Maggie embodies these qualities. Yes, including holding others accountable for their actions. You certainly didn’t cross her! Haha
Now, every time I notice a bald eagle I think of Maggie and consider it her checking in. Letting me know it’s all as intended. That she’s getting the wild bald eagle experience she always dreamed of sighting.
Road closure towards Mammoth Hot Springs
Originally, I planned to drive a large loop leaving the Park through the North entrance and returning home after a soak in Yellowstone Hot Springs. However, I ran into a long line of cars waiting for the road to Mammoth Hot Springs to reopen. Icy spots in the shade made me think there must have been an accident but I’ll never know why for sure.
Instead of the loop, I backtracked and visited Tower Falls before heading back home along Chief Joe. The last time I visited the Falls I snowshoed the road up to the overlook with my hiking group. After which that scary walking past bison moment occurred. Ok, I looked back and apparently I didn’t share that narrow escape with you. Hmmm, I’ll add it to the list.
Anyway, I finally took out my iphone camera and captured a few serene moments at Tower Falls and the river below that it feeds into while recalling that fun winter excursion. Hopefully, we will all enjoy another Yellowstone snowshoe hike again in early 2026.
The light playing across Sunlight Basin on the return drive caused me to audibly gasp. Next summer, I aim to spend more time exploring this hidden gem. From the overlook on top of the switchbacks, you gaze out at the south facing side of the Beartooths. Y’all, it’s unreal! I know I state that a LOT but seriously. It doesn’t earn the credit it deserves.
If I had to choose wildlife sightings or that view and all the other spectacular views that day, I don’t think I could. How does one decide which would be more special? I’m lucky simply to be here. Alive. Additionally, within Yellowstone and the surrounding area. Someday I won’t feel Maggie’s loss so acutely. Someday I’ll feel like I really did share it with her fully.