Yes, of course we went to Yellowstone. And yes, of course it lived up to all of my expectations. (Minus the fact that I really wanted to see a grizzly bear...from afar.) Sam and I have been to quite a few National Parks, but Yellowstone really is THE one. You know when they talk about the beauty of America, the majesty and glory? That is Yellowstone: majestic. And, it was so big! I wish we had planned our trip better and given ourselves more time to spend in the park because there was just so much to see. We saw Old Faithful, and walked the loop around the apocalyptic steaming pools of the brightest teal water. We drove the entire loop, stopping to see every carving river and raging waterfall. Whenever I see places like this, I always wonder what it would have been like to be one of the first to stumble upon it. It just seems so unreal.
One of my favorite road trip traditions that we have adopted is to finish a book or two in the car. I have a very hard time staying awake, even in public settings. So usually a car ride means a 10 minute conversation before my head is bobbing around dangerously, and Sam gets worried and gives me permission to lie down and take nap. But on our trip to California this summer, I got hooked on reading out loud to Sam. It kept me awake and kept Sam attentive. And, I really love reading out loud. Maybe it has something to with hearing myself talk, I don't know. On our California trip I read him the entire Hunger Games trilogy. We would stop for gas, and wander the convenient store looking for snacks and wondering, "What's going to happen to Peeta!?" (By the way, have you seen this yet? I can't contain myself.) This trip, I thought I would read Sam Ender's Game. I remember loving it when I was young, and I felt like Sam would love it. We finished it on the way home, and it sent us off on a few long conversations about human nature and war and Ender. It also made me realize that I don't feel like I am achieving lately. Do you know what I mean? Like, when you suddenly realize that you are sort of allowing yourself to slide through life without reaching your full potential. A little deep, but think about it. It's a great book. Do you have any recommendations for our next trip?
I so want to see Yellowstone. Your use of the words big and majestic remind of me the drive into Sequoia NP. It is a long drive into the park and feels strange. The terrain makes the horizon often seem very close but the trees, rocks, fallen trees are strangely large. I felt like Alice when she was tiny. The Grand Tetons, Crater Lake, are on your side of the country. Y'all should spend some time on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is unspoiled and not many people go there because it is a loooong drive around from the south. It is very close to you and they take reservations.
ReplyDeletethe second picture in this post just is WONDERFUL! and i think you should go to havasupai on your next trip. have you been there before?
ReplyDeleteI love reading out loud on car trips as well! My cousin and I read Dan Brown's "Davinci Code" out loud once. I also read "The Money Pit" out loud to a coworker on a trip to Vegas and back- made the time pass and when we got back we found out it was based on a REAL island off the coast of Nova Scotia. I can't remember who the author was, but my point is that choose any action book and you'll love it!
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