Yellowstone Archives - A Country Girl's Heart -Beats that Matter

April 29, 2019May 22, 2019

Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch

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There are days my mind wonders to past days. As winter fades and the beauty of spring appears, amidst rainy days, I find myself craving a road trip. I might even be planning one depending on the year. Either way, along with my desire to travel my mind drifts to past trips and memories. I have been to a few areas enough that they are beginning to feel like my second home.

Nestled back on a mountainside only 3 miles from the east entrance of the Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone Guest Lodge welcomes anyone wanting to feel close to the rugged terraine and wildlife. One of my nieces who at the time did not own a horse, informed over the phone that when I came to visit we were going to go on a trail ride at this lodge. This was how I came to visit the lodge one Sunday afternoon in August of 2017.

The main building provided meals to guests and anyone else who made reservations. My favorite part was the porch. Several chairs gave a beautiful view of neighboring mountains and if you sat in the right spot you did not even see the road, only the campfire pit across the way and cabins that can be rented.

Always one to explore I soon went found my self inside checking out the interior. The dinning area and reception desk sat a level lower than the entertainment room.

Speaking of entertainment, my eye caught sight of a guitar and what was that? A fiddle! I had not been playing mine much for reasons I do not recall. I wonder if I would be allowed to play it? I was terribly rusty, but how fun would it be to play a fiddle on the porch of this log lodge in the mountains of Wyoming? Turns out my sister knew the lodge owners and the fiddle belonged to her.

After shooting a few pictures on the porch, we were informed it was time to ride. Read all about the ride we took in the blog post dedicated to that experience titled: A Guided Trail Ride.

Returning from the grand adventure, my niece had fulfilled her dream, I carried the beauty of my first mountain ride, and even my Dad seemed happy with the experience. On a mission now to meet the wife of our trail guide, I found her at the reception desk. I learned we shared a common like for music, specifically fiddle playing, and writing, specifically blogging. Instantly we found conversation abounded. My sister shared the beauty of mother hood with our new acquaintance as their daughters enjoyed playing together.

We had a grand time getting to know Lydia and learned that her and her husband had a couple businesses back home in their home state of Arkansas. I recall the joy I felt learning this lovely young lady enjoyed blogging. At the time I had just started this website and it was fun to encounter another blogger. Her blog is titled: Letters and Lyrics

The longing to play that fiddle was still flirtling around in the back of my mind. I had to ask. Yes, I was assured I was welcome to play the fiddle. A bit of tuning, and many minutes practicing, still rusty, I managed to play a tune rooted in my family history. “I see the Moon” The lyrics are posted to go with the video of my playing on the porch of Shoshone Guest Lodge.

I see the moon,  The moon sees me,
Down through the boughs of the old oak tree,
Please let the moon that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

Over the mountain, Over the sea,
That’s where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

We needed to leave before the camp fire that night for the next morning I was headed back to Indiana after being gone for over 4 weeks. I may return one day to embark on a longer adventure such as the pack trip that encompasses at least one night of sleeping under the stars.

Hanging out sharing the peace and beauty

Be sure to check out the Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch located near the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Find them on Facebook: Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch

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December 8, 2018December 8, 2018

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

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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 down from the top of the 3/8th mile trail to the Yellowstone River.

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.

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April 6, 2018April 10, 2018

Clarks Fork

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Last summer found me enjoying the high desert of Wyoming. I stayed just east of Yellowstone for a couple weeks.

One evening, I invited my Mom to take a drive with me to Clark’s Fork, or perhaps it was her idea we go. We felt the need to get out and explore, even if it was from the comfort of a car.

Whatever the reason, we drove through Badger Basin on our way to Clarks Fork.

Thunder storms rolled across the Bear Tooth Mountains creating a unique horizon for our viewing pleasure.

Our drive took us a short way into the beautiful canyon and the area known as Clark’s Fork.

Are you are enjoying the view? Fill out the form below to learn details of how to visit for yourself. This list includes links to find info on 9 other places to visit in the Cody/ Powell area of Wyoming, as well.

I researched a bit of the history of Clark’s Fork, a tributary of the Yellowstone River. A settlement, Clark, and Clark’s Fork, was named after none other than the Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Further reading revealed the closest Clark came to the Clarks Fork was where the mouth dumps into the Yellowstone near Billings, Montana. If he had known the beauty he was missing, he may have investigated his self given namesake.

We checked out a few side roads.

Beautiful flowers lined one of those roads.

There is more to do than drive on the road and look at beautiful mountains in Clark’s Fork. A parking area provides for further exploration on 4 wheelers and camping experiences. Grizzly bear sightings are not uncommon and rattlesnakes frequent this area as well. Be safely prepared for adventure.

If you enjoyed this visit to Clark’s Fork and would like more info on how to visit here or other places in the Cody and Powell area of Wyoming, be sure to grab your FREE list of 10 places to visit by using the form below.

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