Leaving

Avalanche Peak. Photo creds to Rachel Boge. 

I'm terrible with goodbyes. Unfortunately, the past few weeks have been full of them.

Saying goodbye to these people and this place is heartbreaking. I've made some incredible friends here that I absolutely treasure, and I've had some of the most incredible experiences and seen some of the most beautiful things, and that's hard to walk away from.

It's also hard to say goodbye to the person that I've been since coming here. I have grown so much, and I'm more proud of and happy with myself than ever before. Figuring out how to hang on to that once my everyday life starts again is going to be my challenge in the coming weeks and months.





My final hike in Yellowstone took me again to Uncle Tom's Trail. I did it once before, but this was one repeat I didn't mind. We didn't have much time before work, and it takes about half an hour minus time spent at the bottom. I had heard from guests that at certain times of day, a rainbow forms in the spray, and I've always wanted to see it. Luckily, our timing worked out perfectly.

Uncle Tom's Trail. 8/5/16.

I'm glad that my last hike in the park was at the Canyon. While it isn't my favorite place in the park by a long shot, it seemed right to stay close to home, and I'll never tire of the Canyon's beauty.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 8/5/16. 

I'm now in Bozeman for a few days before I fly home. I don't think it's hit me yet that I'm really done. Part of me still feels like I should be heading back to Canyon after my weekend, and I don't think it'll hit me until I land back in Arizona and get enveloped by 100+ degree air. That's when I'll really start to miss the park.

As hard as the past few weeks have been, no part of me wants to leave this place. Montana, Wyoming, and Yellowstone have stolen my heart, and I know that Arizona is not a place where I will live for much longer. I need mountains, rivers, lodgepole pines, and big skies.

It's been a wild ride, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Peace out, Yellowstone, and I know I'll see you soon.

8/7/16. 

Heartbreak Roadtrip

On Saturday after work, I went to the lake with a few friends. They got in the water (which would have instantly turned this Arizona girl into a popsicle), and I set up my borrowed hammock in the trees beside the lake. I laid there, listened to music, and just thought. It was one of the most serene situations I've ever been in: the slight breeze off the lake, being wrapped in a blanket, listening to an amazing Spotify playlist I just found, and listening to my friends splash each other in the lake. 

The next day, I hiked to Grizzly Lake. It was absolutely beautiful. The lake is down in a tiny valley, so you go around a corner and see it it at the bottom of a huge hill. On the drive back, we saw a mama and baby grizzly, which seemed appropriate considering the name of the lake. The baby kept popping up onto his hind legs, and I managed to get a picture of it! 

Grizzly near Grizzly Lake. 7/30/16.