Well, I just thought I'd come in here and say a bientot or hasta la vista for a little bit. We're headed out on our annual or semi-annual trek to Yellowstone National Park tomorrow, probably in the afternoon. Considering the incredible way the weather's been acting lately, I hope we're in for a real treat, although I'm afraid the elk won't be bugling again, since it's a tad too warm for them (and me, too!) Today it was still in the low 80's. That's a tad ridiculous for the last day of September, in my book. I'm not a heat man, in spite of being a firefighter! 75 is about my upper comfort zone, but I'd prefer 70 or less.
Anyway, later on tonight when I get the energy to get up and walk clear back across the station I have a poem called "Campfire" that I want to share with you all. I don't know why it reminds me of Yellowstone, since I've never had a campfire there, but you'll see why it reminds me of the great outdoors.
I'm itching to see Bear Tooth Pass again. In fact, I'm seriously thinking about doing one of my Death of an Eagle book covers up on top, looking down on the glacial lakes. Just thinking about that place makes me long to hit the road. It is so incredible up there I wish everyone could see it--just not while I'm there! It's a place that you need to enjoy in almost absolute solitude, at least for half an hour. Even your closest friend is too much company up on Bear Tooth. Go there and you'll see what I mean. Do me a favor, too. If you go, print out my poem off the poem page and take with you and read it up there. You'll see where that all came from. It was absolute inspiration. I don't believe any words like that came out of the likes of me!!!
I'll try to post in the next few days after we get home, but remember one thing: if something were to happen to me up there in Yellowstone and I didn't come back home you'll always know I went out of this world from my favorite place, and I will go out happy. I don't know why I'm even writing this. Something just struck me and told me to say that. You've all been great friends, and I've enjoyed many hours on this board. I'm sure I'll come home to many more. I just wish some of you would break your code of silence!!!! I miss hearing the banter.
Ummm, Kirby, should we save that last paragraph as forensic evidence in case you don't come back? Why would you write that?!
Top of the World is a great poem. My favorite line is at the end, when you wrote, 'nothing lives here. Everything lives here.' That's how you feel when you're up there. It's so awe-inspiring, and it really puts life in perspective. You feel like part of something much greater than this earth. And all that other stuff you toil over in your daily encounters becomes meaningless. And then you are filled with these contradictions - of solitude, loneliness, peace, and fulfillment, all at once. It's ironic that the wind makes your eyes tear.
Congratulations on your house! You did it! That's teriffic! All the best to you, Deb and the kids.
Now the fun begins...Good luck on your move.
Hey Kirby, I've been through the pass and what an event it was. Back in 92 I took the long way around to Yellowstone by way of the Custer Battlefield and ended up at the Beartooth Pass. Before heading down the other side I picked up one of those "I Survived Beartooth Pass" T-Shirts for sale at the little store just outside the park entrance. The only more dangerous and exciting event in my life was either Vietnam as a Marine Machine Gunner or when I was crazy enough back in 84 to wrassle a "Grizzly Bear" year that's right I wrassled a grizzly bear and I still have some back pain and an "I Wrassled Victor the Wrassling Grizzly Bear" T-Shirt to prove it, along with the bears photo that is. Hope all is well with you. Yaqui Gold here we come! Best Regards! Bob Atwater
Hi Bob. Good to see you are still among the living. Gina, the only reason Bob survived the griz wrassling match is that he is as big if not bigger than a griz!
Good to see you on the board, Bob. Take care.
Hi Gina! Don't feel bad, I wrassled bringing up 8 children into this world and as you say poop and all. I know what you mean, believe me! Hang in there! Regards! Bob
Wow, Bob, 8! That is truly an amazing feat. And you lived to tell about it. For me, the fun is just beginning. There's a guy who posts here - Garry, who is one of 15 children - all by the same mother, no multiple births. And she's still going strong. By the way, today is Garry and his wife, Gail's 30th wedding anniversary. So, if you're out there, Gar, hope you're doing well. Have a good one.
Now Bob, why on earth, with all that at stake, would you risk getting killed fighting a grizzly? Did you see what happened to Roy Horn yesterday, being mauled by that tiger on stage? Wow! Do you know the funniest thing? Yesterday, in NYC, a woman went to the hospital all chewed up and pretty bad off. She said her pitbull attacked her, but the people at the hospital didn't believe her, so the cops went to investigate her apartment. They found a full grown Bengal Tiger there. I was crackin' up. Nice doggie. The Bronx Zoo stepped in and took the tiger. Remarkably, they said she took really good care of it.