July 8 - Yellowstone

Sunday began with worship at First Baptist Church and ended with almost hitting a bison on the dark and rainy road out of the park.  In between we experienced:

- 2 adult bison and 1 calf walking down the road, toward us and the other cars, just ambling along
- a 2 1/2 mile hike to Cascade Lake, passing a few bison in the open meadows, sitting in the shade of a towering pine, enjoying some quiet reflective time as we read, wrote and enjoyed.
- a quick return from the lake as the wind shifted, the clouds turned dark and the rain started to fall; it was a fast paced return, passed even closer bison, but we made it safe and dry.
- a picnic in a pine forest in which the wind picked up again to the point of a large trunk falling on the exit road about 100 feet from our table!  Talk about scary!
- a drive through the park, seeing some bull elk with huge antlers, watched a bison swim across the river and cross the road in front of us
- checking out some of the bubbling paint pots in a thermal area - smelly!
- coming across a large group of people looking off to the west - two grizzlies moving about, digging in the dirt, climbing low hills, and running from a  bison that came too close
- stopping at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for pictures from artists point
- 2 more bison walking right alongside the road
- large herds of elk grazing in the meadows
- darkness and rain falling, with fog setting in, for the third evening in a row, suddenly coming across a bison walking in the other lane, going our direction, with our stopping and flashing brake lights to warn travelers coming up behind

In worship, the pastor offered one prayer in which he spoke of the majesty of creation speaking to the majesty of our God - how true and fitting!

As we stepped into the woods towards Crystal Lake, a sign posted on a tree trunk warned of grizzlies in the area.  We had out bear spray, our bear bell and desire to continue.  As we walked along, constantly studying the woods, undergrowth and meadows for any signs of wildlife, we were a bit fearful of what we might see, but enjoying the freedom we felt in nature.  As I walked, I thought of how our hike was symbolic of our faith.  Each day we live in a world of sin, going about our own business, heeding the warnings of scripture that sin is all around us, but with scripture, prayer and faith we look around, looking out for ourselves and those around us, and we travel safely to and fro through the grace of Christ.

May God's power guide and protect!