Speaking of antelope :) . . .

Several times in our trip, as we were hurtling down the straight stretch of plains highway, the speed limit 75mph (WooHoo!!), we would go through an area where we would spot one prong horned antelope after another, sometimes a solitary one, most often in groups of two and three. Now have you ever tried to take a photograph out of the window of a moving vehicle? Its---uhhh---challenging.
I wanted a photo of a buck. I saw one or two out the driver's side window, looking past my husband, getting a brief glimpse of the antelope sitting in the grass, their black horns visible. So I readied myself and my camera to take photos out my side of the car and so began the joke. The fact is, every time I was ready to take a photo, *every single buck* was out the *driver's* side! It got to be really funny after awhile. I tried and got a couple pics of antelope--all does--and called it a day. I figured, next time.
When "next time" came about, would you just know it but it started up all over again? And in addition to the Bucks picking on me, everytime I put my camera away, groups started to appear out MY side!
Good news is I got a couple pics, and in fact a Buck in Yellowstone made up for all the rest. :)

This was the most antelope I had ever seen in my life, more than all the trips out into the plains put together. They are so beautiful


If you click on the photo, any photo, it will open it up nice and big on a new page. :)

So I've made my choice. For now, due to more risks to those I love than I had first been aware of, I have postponed the "activity". Before I knew that it was a requirement, I had already chosen to wait, but then when I found out what had to be done to be with who I wished to be with---well, I had to think through much more than before.
Have you ever wanted something for years and years, so badly that it is like a small contained void in your heart and spirit, as you are waiting, searching,looking. Finally, when you had mostly come to the conclusion that it does not exist in this reality, you find it does. But then it as if the universe holds out the sought for goal, my heart's desire, and then pulls it away at the last moment, thumbing its nose at me.
I know that it isn't really like that, that our maker is watching out for me, and there is great love there. But I have been so heartsick since May 1st, and this is not helping.
I am grateful for such a blessed trip, we saw SO much beauty, it actually wore us out! I kid you not. That was very good for the soul. :)
I am also grateful for any and all support and prayers from the mahre. Please, if you can, write to me. It helps so much to know you are out there. I so wish I could link up with you.

I hope that this is only a postponement.
I know there are things that I wish to work on.; Defenses, opening up that "eye", teaching the kids. I know that some of what I am feeling right now is exaggerated by depression, and I am trying to relax and allow it to heal, so I can get back to a normal state. It's difficult because I feel so darn isolated.
Anyway, thanks for reading this, if anyone does.

Post has been removed by the management due to the lack of interest.

And now for something completely different.

The morning of June 25th, I woke up early as usual, and as usual had no idea why I was awake. There must be some reason this keeps happening. Anyhow, this is our second morning in Yellowstone. A great campsite, the Norris campground which is near to the Norris Geyser Basin, situated in the forest, with a rambling stream and meadow below. Picturesque, as is everything in the amazing bizarre place.
So here I was awake. The temperature made it up to 40F by 6am. Like yesterday, I decided to take advantage of this time up and look for wildlife to photograph. Early morning and evening is a good time to see animals. An owl was still warbling off in the distance.
Running next to our site to the back is a path that leads to a small amphitheater on the hillside overlooking the meadow and stream, and eventually if you stay on the path it will take you to a trail that leads down to the stream. I thought that would be a perfect place to go picture hunting.
I glanced at the tent as I walked by, making sure the kids were still asleep, and took the shortcut through the back of our site.
I looked about as I walked, wondering if I'd see the mule deer again. Nice cool morning. I stopped for a moment a step away from the path. I thought I had seen something moving in the trees across the path from me. I studied the spot and noticed tendrils of mist weaving through the undergrowth. I was about to walk forward, but something seemed not quite right. A few feet to the left of the mist I saw a large patch of inky black a few feet above the ground, in between the trees, just above a bush. I froze. I had the impression of shagginess and for the first half second thought it was a black bear. But in the next split second as I completely focused on the shape, I had a bit of a shock. An eye stared straight into mine. My sight sharpened further and I saw above the eye a sharp curved horn.
A bison! Right there in front of me! And I knew I was not the recommended 50 yards away from him. More like ten feet away!
He stood there, placidly chewing, watching me.
Oh dear.
I backed up very slowleee. I said, "sorry to disturb you." I turned around and carefully walked back through our site. I noted how close he was to our spot and to the tent where my kids slept.
After reaching a safe distance I watched him and took a couple pictures. Matt was snoozing in the car and I told him about the bison. Still wanting to take my walk down the stream trail, I checked tosee if the coast was clear. No luck. Still there. I walked to the nearby site and watched him. The bison began to move through the trees, walking paralell to me. Then he walked up onto the path itself! He walked to the trail I had wanted to take. I could feel his hooves hitting the earth through my feet and he blew out his breath, snorted, huffed, sounding like a huge bear-bison. All I could think was Wow. Talk about impressive and indtimidating. What a huge animal! Thank goodness he was in a good mood. He walked down the trail and out of sight. So much for my walk!















I decide to take pictures of nice, pretty wildflowers instead.

It's June 21st, lunchtime. We have just finished traveling through a steep section of the Black Hills. Kids are amazed at the sight, having never seen Mountains before. Wait until we go through the Rockies. :) We visited Rushmore and then Crazy Horse, the sun is hot and I am beat tired.
We ended up in a small town called Keystone, tucked away in a steep canyon. Kinda tourist-trappy. We are all very hungry, but it is so crowded on the main stretch. We hunt about and finally head back up out of town to a restaurant we had noticed on up the slope a bit, past the tunnel. Called The Powder House. We pull into the parking lot and find a slot immediately, turning off the car. As we prepared to get out, my oldest looked up and exclaimed "Smiley Face! Look!"
A playground was in front of us on a slope. And there it was, just there, not having to be searched for, the real thing, right in front of our car.
Everyone agreed that we must have picked the right spot for lunch. It was a great meal. :)