“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” ~John Muir
Two years ago, my brother and I roadtripped home from Colorado to B.C and we were both awestruck by the sheer beauty of Wyoming and Montana. I added it to my bucket list to live in this part of the country one day. Somewhere I could listen to country music all day every day, drive open road and not see another car for miles, ride horses, hike, stargaze, fish, and run for miles on dirt roads until I’m a dusty, sweaty, happy mess.
Here I am, living my dream. The time felt right and my heart said go. The stars aligned. There is power and beauty in writing down your goals. “Write it down and date it.” The late Bob Ackles of the B.C Lions told me that.
I’ve been in Wyoming working at the ranch now for just over a month and I am so head over heels in love with this place that I feel like I might burst. I have so much to get on the page and for some reason I can’t find any words, or at least any that will do justice to this landscape and the way it fills my heart. All in good time.
I believe more than ever that our spirits sing when we are in the wilderness. That it is in the wild where we come to know our true selves. I see it in our guests here at the ranch every day. They glow. They are present.
I am grateful for the most beautiful starry night skies I’ve ever seen, for campfires, for a diverse group of fun, inspiring coworkers, for long solo hikes, for wide open space, for big pretty fish, for a magical environment where people light up and talk about their big dreams.
What are you dreaming? What’s on your bucket list? Write it down. Talk about it. Make it come alive.
I have to share this amazing piece of music. It’s called Bowspirit by Balmorhea:
Views from the ranch
Lake Marie, Medicine Bow National Forest
Hiking the Snowy Range, Medicine Bow National Forest
roz, great to see you writing and so in love with what you’re doing. proud of you. cheers.
Dear girl, I am so happy to see you so alive. I think you may have finally found your calling 😀 Miss you terribly, but am so glad you are in the Wilderness! xoxoxo
btw- your quote makes me remember something I think you’d love. I went to Elementary School with a kid named John Muir, who’s grandfather WAS John Muir. Only I was young and then I didn’t know who John Muir was. I often wonder whatever happened to John. He was the gentleman boy that always opened doors for the girls with impeccable manners in 3rd grade… and everyone game him hell for it. Damn, he would have been a catch today! 😉 xoxox
No way! Love it 🙂
Aloha Roz,
Wow, these pictures are breath-taking… you inspire me to make my way over there, sometime! I’d love to get the opportunity to photograph what the country has to offer!
Mahalo, for sharing.
Oshi.