%20010%20resize_0.jpg)
%20039%20re.jpg)
%20203%20re.jpg)
%200486.jpg)
Thick shrubbery punctuated by cowboys leading their herds to a watering hole comes to mind when one thinks of Wyoming. Indeed, upon my return, everyone smiled when they learned where we had been—and it wasn’t a smile that promised a floodgate set to burst with fond memories and shared congratulations. It was a conspiratorial sneer accompanied by laughing eyes that said, Oh, so they dragged you there,did they? I realized that my travels had given me something that my friends didn’t have: perspective.
â–º QUARTER FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Our 12 passenger plane landed in the middle of the Red Desert. A blast of fresh air introduced us to a cozy ninety degrees Fahrenheit. The heat was heightened by the elevation and lack of shade-giving foliage. Rocks and tenacious vegetation were scattered amongst the exposed landscape, hilariously brittle against the deep reds of the chalky soil. When we arrived in the mountains, it was as if the heavens were trying to prove the extent of Wyoming’s varied climate: the next day I went from standing in a pile of snow to acquiring the worst sunburn of my life in a matter of fifteen minutes.
But my first glimpse of the Grand Tetons was what convinced me that I had discovered something I hadn’t expected to find—the stark and brutal honesty of nature. The snow capped peaks contrasted brilliantly with the amaranth sky; the setting sun stretched out its golden arms to entangle the periphery of a pine forest in its embrace. Homey ranches had nestled themselves into the balmy hillside as if they had been rolling amidst the prairie grass since the beginning of time. It was this cohesive relationship between the old world and the new that also characterized the Wyoming locals.
But the defining moment of our trip came as we departed. We were on the road home when we stopped and parked a safe distance away to observe a grizzly bear and her cub searching for food in the tall grass. As we watched, an SUV pulled up in front of us with a screech, a man got out, set up his Polaroid with large, vapid motions, and practically hollered, “Kids, come on out, there’s a bear!”
My family froze with fear in our car, but the bear was surprisingly calm. She raised her great shaggy head, chestnut brown with the hint of the morning sunshine. The wiry hairs on her ears stood on end; she thrust her flat nose forward and raised her eyes. The motion was fluid, characterized by the easy self-assurance that comes with knowing that the twitch of a shoulder blade and one swipe of a calloused paw can end the life of your opponent. She offered the man a stare of sagacious incredulity, of detached observance, devoid of the commonplace look some would expect from an animal. It was as if she too was puzzled by his callous stupidity.
In Yellowstone we were in the real world, where nature was still strong and death was as potent as it had been before we invented our guns. Here, nature lay untouched and beautifully independent of all modern conveniences. I appreciated the death in her glance and marveled at her simple majesty. She and her cub disappeared into the trees; the tourist unaware that he had just been spared.
Although the end of a journey is always a melancholy affair; mine was punctuated by the realization that man is ignorant because if his hubris. My mother gave us so much more than a family vacation. Wyoming gave me a perspective that I will never stop fighting for.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
1 Reply to “The Real World”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Thanks for finally talking about >Family Travel Insurance <Loved it!
Family volunteering opportunities are a great way to give back with your teenager at your side.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet.
Wow, this list is amazing! I’ve always wanted to experience Mardi Gras beyond New Orleans. Thanks for sharing these incredible locations. Can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering wwhy the other experts oof this secto do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ baee already!
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
You completed several good points there. I did a search on the matter and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
T Thomas Group offers bespoke travel planning.Luxury Travel Specialist that specializes in customized itineraries, luxury cruises, small group tours, solo travel and all aspects of LGBTQ+ travel. We ensure a seamless and luxurious travel experience, designed exclusively for you.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what concerning the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. blog
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Great post and straight to the point.
Interesting post. I’m glad I came across this page. I’m going to bookmark it so I can read any future posts.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Hi! Im originally from Cambiaso and
I do mission trips to the village every year. I have read your article and I am so grateful for what you have done with my people. I would love to connect with you.
Wow, this article really resonated with me! Traveling in Europe with family can be such an incredible adventure, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar streets to finding activities that everyone enjoys, it’s a whirlwind of excitement and sometimes chaos. But hey, isn’t that what makes the best memories? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips, they’re super helpful for planning our own European family escapade! ???
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people in this
particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give
you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
They are very very similar to the key facet all of us keep hidden from the world, the part of us that dares to dream impossible issues, where all our hopes and fantasies are born.
This article is impressive for me as mine east coast of usa
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching
about this. I will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this list of Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans! Each destination seems to offer its own unique blend of culture, music, and vibrant festivities. While I’m tempted to explore them all, I can’t help but dream of experiencing the colorful chaos of Mardi Gras in Goa, India. Exploring India’s rich cultural tapestry during this festive season would undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. Thanks for inspiring wanderlust with these fantastic recommendations!
Thanks verfy interesting blog!
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
“MyFamilyTravels provides a wonderful platform for families to share their travel experiences and glean inspiration for their own adventures. The diverse array of destinations and insightful tips make it a valuable resource for planning memorable trips. Kudos to the team for fostering a community that celebrates the joys of family travel!”
Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions, It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
nice
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We provide a Nepal Tour Package from Musafircab.
Yes. This is exactly what you should know to have a comfortable and cost-effective trip.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!