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Monday, September 17

A Yellowstone Sunrise


     Hey there fam:) It's been a long while since I've woken up to watch a sunrise, but even though I can't remember specifics of the last time I do only have good memories and feelings associated with them. This particular morning was a special one. We were boondocking (living in campers without electrical or water hookups) outside of Yellowstone National Park, camped high up on a hill above a beautiful valley and a bright blue lake. Richard and I had been woken up by something outside the trailer, and after about 20 minutes or so of talking softly to each other (so as to not wake up any babies), I pointed out that it was starting to get lighter outside and suggested we go out to watch the sunrise. Richard volunteered to build a fire, and we began pulling on layers as quickly as we could so we wouldn't miss it. 

     Besides my pants, I had on a tank top and a t-shirt as well as a long-sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt but was still shivering. Richard gave me one of his beanies to wear and also helped me put on his hooded sweatshirt and one of his coats too. I couldn't believe how cold it was outside when we left the trailer! There were little patches of snow here and there on the ground, and I felt the cold air hit me in the eyes and they started to water. It was still so beautiful though. The smell of the air was pure and clean, and the whole sky was glowing.

     Richard set to work bringing logs around from behind the trailers and soon had a warm fire going for us to sit by, meanwhile I walked around a bit taking these photos while Deisel bounded around happily in the tall grass and kept bringing me sticks to play fetch with. The sky started as a soft greyish blue with the morning haze, but as we watched the tiniest slivers of yellow and then orange began rising up over the edge of the hills by the water. I used to love to watch the sunset a lot when I was younger, often with my older sister. We'd climb out the bedroom window together and sit precariously on the slanted shingles talking about boys or friends or ideas as it grew darker. This was different though, the sunrise meant a new day was dawning, a fresh start, a bright beginning, and I realized that I liked the symbolism of the sunrise better than the ending of the day, even if it meant I was getting close to bedtime.haha

     We'd come to visit Yellowstone for the first time after receiving the unexpected news that the kids had a 5 day break from school. We had some new friends staying with us that live in their RV full time (The Elmers, you can find them on YouTube and Instagram!), and so we all decided to hit the road together with their Rv and our Camper trailer and play it by ear! It was fully in the spirit of the kinds of trips that our summer had consisted of, and so we felt right in our element again.

     The whole area was beautiful and rugged, but the park itself had a sanctuary type feel about it. We loved our daily visits exploring, taking the walking paths around the guisers and pools and trying to spot as much wildlife as we could. And then in the evenings, we enjoyed so many great talks and different games back at the campsite, with the kids running around playing 'Harry Potter' and lost boys while we cooked dinner by the fire and passed out hot chocolate. Those late-night talks with Matt and Molly Elmer are some of the best memories from the whole summer, and the things they shared with us about their family and their adventures have already had a lasting impact on us. 

     Here's to good friends and spontaneous little camping trips, and bison spottings, and hot chocolate:)
Can you remember the last time you got up to watch a sunset? or stopped to enjoy one for a minute or two?

Take care,

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