Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Amid the hustle and bustle of December, the fun of sharing special times with friends and family, and the rush of preparing and attending events, I am going to take a moment in this week’s blog post to reflect back.  Back to last July when we paid a visit to Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, and specifically the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Another moment to examine the importance of this season, and finally memories of a friend, in my opinion, gone too soon. 

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

We did not find this awe-inspiring spot in the park, (One of many, right?), until late afternoon.  We choose to spend one day exploring Yellowstone National Park.  After stopping at Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, exploring the Old Faith Inn, the Gibbon River and Falls, and oh yes, on our way into the park I had fun climbing up a rocky mountain top along side a dirty, large snow drift which lingered into the month of July. You may read about this and other adventures from that day in various blog posts I have yet to write. Consider subscribing to the newsletter for updates from the farm, new blog post notifications and for offers I believe may be of interest to you.

We turned off of the the park road following signs to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  A sign read 3/8th mile hike to the bottom of the canyon.  Sounded like something I wanted to challenge myself with. After all, its only 3/8 of a mile. 

 Looking almost straight down, I could see a river raging and a paved trail with serious switchbacks.  Oh, I was excited to begin the descent.  I did note the views as I went down.  I admit, I gave thought to the best ones where I intended to shoot some pictures on the way up.  A good excuse to rest along my ascent for I knew going down, the upwards journey would indeed push my current physical limits.

Arriving at the bottom, I felt a bit small.  Wyoming, in general, does that to me. Here, I felt it acutely.  The river was rapid to say the least and the way the water fell down the falls left me a bit intimidated. Take a look in this video what it looked like to stand out over the falls and look down the canyon.

Beautiful colors, in the rock andwater captured my eye, but sheer magnitude exhibited by power of the water reminded me of the Creator and His might. 

I did indeed feel exhilarated as I began the ‘only 3/8th mile’ climb back to the car.  Do you hear a bit of sarcasm in my voice?  The first and second switch back I challenged myself to get off the paved path by scrambling straight up, using rocks, and roots for foot and hand holds.  The combination of high altitude and myself being less fit than in my past, I found after 2 I needed to resort to staying on the trail and slow down.  Yes, I made use of those pretty views I mentioned earlier to rest, allow my heartbeat to slow a little and catch my breath.  Did you know that when resting adrenal glands, it is important to not increase one’s heart beat too high?  I was trying to be mindful of that, while the spunky spirit in me wanted to push myself. “Humm, now just what can I do?,” Summed up my thoughts “How far could I go without stopping?”  Some part of me longed to go straight up the side as I had on the first 2 switchbacks at the bottom.  As I was nearing the top I again stopped to soak in the beauty, the essence of the place and time, a unique to that moment feeling came over me. In my awareness of how my body was feeling, I found myself thinking of God, heaven, and a life after death on earth. I have heard others speak of a feeling close to heaven, but never experienced it.  In that moment on the final stretch of the last switch back looking over the top of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone I felt as close to heaven as I have ever.  Perhaps there is a better way to put words to what I was feeling, but for the present that is the best way I can describe it.  I felt peace and a nearness to God, and His Son, the powerful, sovereign creator of the universe.

There is a one-way road that runs along the canyon. We left and found yet another trail to descend for an entirely different look at the lower falls. Instead of looking over, we could face it from downstream.  The color contrast of the water and thecanyon walls, along with the depth and height, I attempted to capture to share with you.  Here is another video to view looking straight down and across the canyon.

A high look out point provided a place to chat with other visitors to the park. 

Another trail led down to a place to get a different look at the lower falls.

I badly wanted to make that hike too, but the daylight was fading fast.  I was in need of nourishment from the last hike that had dropped my sugar levels like a rock.

I contented myself with a partial hike on this trail enjoying a mountain stream as I went.  A rest stop on a cute little bridge provided an impromptu photo shoot by my husband. 

Stacey Alexander

I believe it was the next morning that I received a phone call my friend Stacy had passed away sometime before our stop at the canyon. It may have been earlier that morning.  No matter really, as I remembered the feeling I had experienced as I gazed across the top of the canyon.  I marveled at the mystery that is the work of our Creator in us.  I cried, hearing her daughters voice on the other end of the phone, knowing it only meant one thing.

I was reminded of the day I met Stacy. It was a cold snowy, day with high winds causing serious white outs and drive offs on the road that we lived on at the time.  Stacy was returning from moving one of her sons and driving a high-profile moving van. She decided to park in our drive way until better weather or a plan to get home could be decided on.  As I finished up my barn duties, I invited her and her little girl in for a hot drink to wait for the help she needed.  A conversation and a couple hours later I had made a new acquaintance.  I had also learned she worked as realtor.  Fast forward about 6 months, my husband and I had decided we were going be purchasing a house.  As I prayed about what realtor we should use, Stacy came to mind.  I had not spoken with her since the day she needed a place to get out of the storm. To be honest, as life often gets busy, I had forgotten about her.  That day as I prayed, she came to mind and I knew I had found a realtor to work with. We looked at properties for 6 months before closing on one.  Stacy worked hard not only to help us find what we wanted, but also when we did, to make sure the process moved forward in a way we would not regret.

 Stacy became a friend who I kept up with from time to time.  On this day, her daughter was no longer a little girl, but still, seemed unfairly young to be calling me to tell me of her mother’s passing.

The Birth of Jesus – Fulfillment

Enjoy your family and friends this December as we gather to celebrate.  Remember the ones who may be missing loved ones. 

I have been going through a workbook titled God is Enough.  This book takes an in depth look at the book of Colossians. This is one of many books ofthe New Testament that speaks of the mystery God revealed through his Son.  As we hustle and bustle our way through the month of December I invite you to remember the birth of the One who completes God’s plan. 

I found myself singing this song once again this week and realized how it sums up what I have been studying in Colossians.  Take a listen to Justified singing Down from His Glory.