Easter

Tomorrow is Easter, April 4th, 2010.
For a few weeks now I've been looking for a photo that shows a cross, something subtle, you know, branches in a tree, a pattern in a rock, I had all but given up and on the way home from taking sunrise photos at Renner - this presented itself to me. I realize they are electric poles - but the way the 3 of them show up on the hill and the rest blend - seemed like the perfect Easter scene. It is Saturday, the fields around the crosses are deserted, everyone has gone home, the 3 men crucified are entombed - only  Christ's followers pray, but tomorrow morning they will be witness to the resurrection of One and only Son of God the Father Almighty, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

7 am Sunrise Service at the Ten Sleep United Methodist Church and then breakfast. I have missed going to church, for the last few months we have been pretty regular attendees there, it's very small and very friendly, we like it a lot. While there is something to be said for personal meditations on a mountain top, there is also great value in fellowship with other Christians and I'm happy to be back in the saddle, so to speak. The minister, Rev. Huston Green, has a very casual way about him, he takes a while to get around to his point in his sermons, but he's already made me think and I mean 3 weeks later I'm still reflecting on his sermon.

It's time for bed now, I'm still in wonder over God's gift to all of us, I'm so very thankful for everything He has given me. I feel humbled and undeserving, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's service.

White Lava March 31st, 2010

The variety of landscapes in this area is fascinating, I have often noticed this off white lumpy textured rock near the top of the Renner Ridge and wanted to touch it, walk on it, experience it. It sounds (and looks) like the last dry day for a while, so today Bear Dog and I took a different 2 track on the back side of Renner Wildlife Preserve - I'm so happy I decided to risk it. I got a close look at the rocks I've been so curious about, I swear they look like white lava, like a cake decorator carefully decorated the earth with vanilla butter frosting, in swirls and swishes, buttons and rosettes - and it hardened into rock (I've had frosting turn out like that.)
Someday someone is going to have to explain these things to me.

Because I took this trail on a whim, and no one knew where I was, (yes, I know, NEVER do that again!) once it turned a little slick, I decided to turn around before running into problems. That means I didn't get close enough to touch it yet, but that also means I'll have somewhere new to set my sights on for a hike! Hard to believe this is 15 minutes from my house.

I wonder what the pioneers thought when they saw this kind of thing, I wonder if they were in awe, in fear, or disappointed because it wasn't productive land. I wonder if the Indians thought it was a special place. I wonder how much it has changed in 100 years.


As I watch the clouds thicken and begin to spit, I know I have to make it back to safer roads quickly, I'm always torn at this point because I want to stay and explore. Next time.