Positively Amazing a brief trip through Yellowstone

 by Mauverneen

I recently took a trip out West - to Yellowstone and the Tetons. I'm a lucky gal - I got to see FOUR national parks this summer! Earlier this year I hit Zion and Bryce, and this trip was Yellowstone and Grand Teton. They are all beautiful, awe-inspiring, and worth the trip. But I have to say - Yellowstone is amazing. 

It's huge, to begin with. Full of wildlife, and I was mostly surprised by how quickly the landscape changed. I would be driving along a drop off, hugging the yellow line, scared to look down over the tops of the pines, and then, suddenly, I would be driving along a mountain stream. Calm, serene, wondering how I got there. A little further on I would come to a vast meadow, spotting Bison. Amazing.

 And lakes - I drove past one that totally surprised me with how large it was. If it wasn't for the mountains, I'd have thought I was back along the shores of Lake Michigan. 

Also amazing is how the earth in some areas is just letting off steam. There is a volcano under there, but hopefully, we don't have to worry about it. As a result, the steam just keeps rising, looking like smoke. The wildlife seems to like the warmer earth and the steam when it's really cold. 

There are miles of pathways built around the geysers. Up close, you can see them not just steaming, but bubbling! I asked how warm the river gets where some of these empty into it. I was told about 80 degrees. 

I saw lots of Bison on my trip. Traffic just stops when they are around. Everyone wants to see them. I can't imagine how bad the traffic must be in the summer, during peak vacation season. It's even worse when a bear is spotted. Yes, I saw one! Not up close though, thank goodness. 

I'm glad I was in my car when this fella came lumbering by! They are HUGE! 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Positively Busy

 by Mauverneen

It's hard to get back in the groove sometimes. I've been home a week now from my wonderful vacation but my mind is still back there. The beautiful scenery, the wildlife, the leisure - oh the leisure. Back home, I feel like I need to run, and keep running. Not literally, but from project to project. I'm still in the process of cleaning out my aunt's house (she passed away in early August). So much of it has ended up at my house temporarily.  Add that to my mother's stuff that I don't know what to do with since she passed away, and my own stuff... well, it's daunting. It's like living in a warehouse. But I'm making dents here and there. 

I have a garden full of tomatoes that will be perfectly ripe in a day or two at most - I'll be doing more canning. I have a notice that I need an emissions check. I got rear-ended and need to get my car fixed. I needed groceries. I have loads of laundry. I have - sigh - lots to do. And I haven't even begun to list the everyday things I need to do at home. Why does life get so hectic sometimes? I want to tell you all about my trip and share some photos, but when? 

Ok. This is whining. It's Positively Tuesday, so... I'm truly grateful to have had the opportunity to take that awesome trip. And I'm grateful that I am healthy enough to do all of those projects. I'm POSITIVE I'll get them done! 

I'm going to need a vacation. Soon!

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

                  

Positively ME Time!

 by Mauverneen

It's Positively Tuesday - I almost forgot. I just returned last night from vacation and it usually takes a few days to return to normal. I drove with my youngest daughter to the Tetons, where we spent two days together. She took me to pick up my rental car, then she drove on to finish her trip to visit friends and relatives and I had several glorious days all to myself touring the Tetons and Yellowstone before flying home. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with people, but sometimes, a little alone time is called for. 

I got to stop wherever I wanted, take as much time as I wanted. It was so beautiful I stopped a lot! In fact, some places were so gorgeous I stopped at them more than once - going into the park, and again, coming back out of the park, and maybe even stopping again the next day. Now, no one probably would have put up with that. But a scene changes with the time of day, and besides, maybe there will be an Elk this time, or a Bison, or a Bear, or....

In the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of that trip with you all. Here, and at https://mauveonthemove.blogspot.com/. It was an incredible trip - The Tetons and Yellowstone. It's good to be home though, I think. I've got a loooong list of things I have to get done today. First off though, I want to pick up my dogs. My son-in-law had them for 10 days, while my daughter (his wife) and I were off on adventures. I owe him - big time! 

I've already been out to my garden this morning, and fed the birds. I think they missed me. I could hear a Blue Jay squawking up in the tree. He wants his peanuts. Ah well, back to normal. But I'll be dreaming about these places for a long time.

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html