Wild Peace

Warmth radiates down my back as the sun rises behind me, removing the refreshing chill of the morning. Before me I gaze upon jagged peaks, highlighted with the early lilac hues appearing behind them. A bright pink flickers the tip of one noble peak, flowing down and embracing the court below as the lilac fades to shades of blue. My eyes ache with the brilliance and brightness. Wisps of white slip across the sky, looking for a place to land and enjoy this vision of peace with me.

Unpolished summits hold onto deep shadows. Fighting the determination of the sun to paint them the yellows, oranges and ambers of the new day until they are persuaded to let go. To accept the warmth, light and love of its gift. I crave the slow transition.

Tall pines, spruce and fir reach upward for their share of the sun’s caress. My vision is filled with hues of green licking at the soft amber and gray of the mountain’s base. Blue, still water reflects the rugged range in a perfect recreation. A beaver family awakes and tiny noses scoot across the surface, causing ripples that make the peaks shimmer and dance in their wake.

Smooth glacial stones create a path, enticing me to follow. To explore what is beyond, but I hold fast to my chosen location as sounds of the waking forest caress my eardrums. My eyes scan the surrounding area trying to locate the scurrying little creatures in the brush at my feet. Full brown tails and tiny stripped bodies zoom around, looking for food along hidden paths I can’t see. They stop to watch me; barking, telling me I am not welcome. I remain still so I don’t unsettle them any further, but continue to watch as they scurry around at my feet. I smile, enjoying them and their funny antics.

A shadow floats across the meadow before me and my vision is pulled upward to catch the dark wingspan and glowing white head gliding on the thermals above. Rising and dipping, expending little effort to maintain the dagger sharp view from above looking for the catch of the day. The dramatic range glows in the sunlight, a backdrop behind this carnivore of opportunity.

My brain is struggling to absorb and memorize as much of this beauty as possible and as the morning moves on, other creatures emerge around me. Movement of the thick bushes indicate a large creature has come to the water for breakfast. Tips of antlers move across the bank and a squared snout, large shoulders and long lean legs emerge. The velveted brown of the platter shaped antlers crown the deep brown and muscled figure. He knows I’m here and I remain still to pose no threat and he carries on with his exploring. Watching me to make sure I don’t follow, he moves to the depths of the waters and becomes comfortable enough to dip his head below and remove the mosses and vegetation at the bottom. Watching him brings me peace and my love for this place increases.

We remain in each other’s company watching, with respect, until the sun rises high enough to raise the temperatures, making it too warm for him to stay. He makes his way to the shadows of the trees. Once he disappears, I stand to remove my jacket and reposition my chair. I want to have a view of the full length of the waterway the beavers have created. Others will be visiting soon and I don’t want to miss them.

The twittering of various birds around me increases into a symphony. Most species are not seen often but this morning I am graced with cute little yellow and black birds sporting orange-red heads. They are zipping in and out of the branches in the top of the surrounding firs. Gathering insects and berries to fill their bellies.

A small, stocky, gray and black bird has become interested in me. Sitting on a low branch and flipping his head side to side in curiosity. I watch him and another joins. I came prepared in anticipation and retrieve a small bag of stale bread and cookies from my bag. Holding the pieces in my hand, I wait. The pair comes closer and closer, then perches on my hand. Each stops, only for a moment, to study me. Their heads continue to flick around for a better look before retrieving the treat I offer. The pair will remain as long as I have the snacks they desire. Once it is depleted, they will move along to scavenge other goodies elsewhere.

A splash catches my attention and I catch a ripple ring moving across the glassiness of water. If I had the desire, I could dip a line and catch my supper. Fresh fish would make a savory feast this evening. But I am so at peace, I don’t want to break the trance I’m in and I remain where I’ve been all morning.

The blue of the sky overhead increases in depth and brightness. Soft white puffs move across the expanse with ease while the range raises into its openness, touching the endless space above. Deep greens from hours ago have transformed into bright almost neon shades. Colors so intense it’s almost painful. Yellows that I didn’t see before, shimmer across the meadow. Waving at me like a long lost friend. Each petal tempts me to join them. I wonder where my long legged friend from earlier has wandered off to. If I stay here long enough, he will appear again as the day cools and the shadows turn into evening.

Off to my side, I see that another visitor has arrived. Striking black features and tiny black eyes watch me. He is looking for anything he can steal and take back to his nest. Hopping around, hunting for anything that catches his eye. He is quite large and his curious eyes meet mine. He is trying to intimidate me, but he is harmless. Unless I have something he can sneak in and steal. I smile because I know how smart he is and I am fascinated. We communicate in silence. Me watching him, him watching me. After some time, he decides I have nothing he can swipe and he moves on to look for other adventures.

My brain continues to add to this memory when I hear movement of another kind. It’s not the soft skittering of small feet as before but noises indicating something large. Across the water I see many thick bodies carried by slender legs and moving into the lush grasses of the meadow. A shawl of a deep, almost black, brown lays across their shoulders and a dark tan covers the remaining length of their bodies.Some turn their away from me, their rumps are a white and a small tail flicks as they move along, grazing. They are much larger than the deer I am used to seeing at home and I am enthralled with the way they move as a unit. Watching for danger to keep one another safe.

The sun has skimmed across the blue above me and now hovers over the peaks I have etched into my mind over and over during the course of the day. The time I have waited for is near. What I have longed to see since the sun rose hours ago. I watch as it begins to dip behind the mammoth peaks and I’m blinded with its brightness but I’m determined to watch until the end. Above me the soft white clouds of earlier start to change becoming soft pinks and purples as a majestic gold halos the mountain range. While the sun continues to drop behind the range, the pink that paints the sky turns red and dark shadows from the peaks streaks across the sky. The blue that sparkled during the day becomes deeper and deeper. The greens of the trees turn black as the sun’s fingers release them. The golden orb moves below the horizon and the watcher of the night returns, a soft blue encompassing the entirety of the views I have enjoyed all day and I can’t wait to be a part of again. This is the most beautiful place I have ever looked upon and I find my peace here.

Grand Teton National Park, WY. Spring, summer, autumn or winter, it calls to my heart during every season. I want to lay among its beauty and never leave. I place my heart within its wildness and can’t wait to return again.