Peace

It's been quite a week, hasn't it? Here's to a brighter future, with unity, love, equity and kindness prevailing. The road ahead will not be easy, and there is much work to do, but I now have hope that we will be able to start down that road in January. If you haven't watched Kamala's full speech, I highly recommend it. Bring tissues. https://youtu.be/MXnePLTILY4

Yesterday, I attempted to visit the Idaho Potato Museum and it was closed. Online stated it was open, but upon arrival, it most definitely was not. Sad that I wasn't going to get to have a potato at the official potato cafe, I treated myself to a sit down lunch at a local cafe. Not long after I ordered, a couple sat down at a table near me and the waiter - who clearly knew them - started talking to them about the Biden/Harris victory. The woman was vocally not a fan and stated her feelings loudly to the room. She called Kamala names and misrepresented her family background. I sat wondering if I should say something, do something. Could I sit here and listen to these people while I attempt to enjoy a meal? The waiter walked away and the husband then started speaking very logically to his wife. It was not as loud, but I heard statements like "it might not be what we wanted but..." and "the important thing is to find a way forward..." It gave me such... peace. And I found myself saying a little prayer for them. I wished them peace.

As I drove away, I thought about the 49% of Americans who feel the same way. I remember that feeling WELL from four years ago, and while I truly believe we now have a path forward to Unity and Equality and real systemic change, I wish us all peace. I hope we can all find a way to unify as a country and learn from our troubled past in order to truly make a "more perfect union."

In other news this week, I have a travel partner. There's been a fly in my car now for a couple of weeks. I can't, of course, say it's the same fly. Maybe one has come and another has gone - many times over. But I like to think it's the same one. I call it "Buddy." I haven't gotten to full on conversations with it yet, but I can tell you sometimes it will sit on my steering wheel and watch out the window as we drive. Or sit on the passenger seat for minutes at a time. I appreciate it's company.

A couple of days ago, as I was camping at a solo sight somewhere in the middle of Idaho by a river, I was so sure that was the spot I was finally going to have my elk sighting. And as I kept wishing and wishing it was coming, I thought, "Melanie, you need to release the need for the elk to come." So I said it out loud and released that need. And sure enough, as I drove in to Jackson, Wyoming yesterday evening, a herd of elk were on the side of the road. I slammed on my breaks and pulled over. Yes, I got some really neat shots, but more than that, I laughed. Of course they show up as soon as I release them. Thank you for the reminder, Universe.

This post is clearly a random collection of thoughts... it feels right for this week. Here's the full week's recap: I spent a half day at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, then spent Election Day at Crater Lake National Park - stunning. I crossed in to Idaho and spent two days in Boise with a friend. Went to Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Left Boise and went to Craters of the Moon National Monument. This place was AMAZING. High recommend if you are coming to Idaho. Had a day of work and then drove to Minidoka National Historic Site. This was one of the Japanese Internment camps in WWII. It was such a sobering experience. We have done some truly horrible things as a country. To our own citizens.

I camped at a KOA camp in Twin Falls and upgraded to a tiny cabin so I had heat overnight as the snow started to fall. That night, I researched my trip to Yellowstone... which was clearly getting snowed out. There is only one road open and it was going to be under 6 inches of snow. While I'm certainly bummed to miss it, I'll circle it for a future trip :) I woke up and went to Shoshone Falls on the way to the Potato Museum and then landed here in Jackson Hole.

Wyoming is stunning. Jackson Hole is a beautiful city. Tomorrow is Grand Teton National Park and then southward to Laramie and on to Colorado!

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers and cheers. You are all with me.

IMAGE: herd of Elk in meadow