Just in case...

It's been a year since I've posted anything here.  So just in case anyone is checking this from time to time, I am keeping this blog for future travels.

Spring Trip

It has been quite a while since I've posted anything here.  And now I'm getting ready to take another trip.  Tomorrow morning I am leaving for Indiana again to pick up my son from his freshman year of college.  I'm driving my Mini Cooper this time so I can save a bit of time and lots of money on gas.  It will be lots of fun driving too!

I don't know how much or how often I'll be posting anything here, but if I get a chance I'll update this as much as possible.

Fun Web Site

There is a web site called Wordle that turns anything written into a word cloud.  You can modify the colors, background, change the layout, etc.  This is a poem I wrote in 1992 called April Fools that has been Wordled:


Here is the original poem:


April Fools
 
Turning slowly, he
passed judgement on my world
and left his editorial comment smeared,
shining on my garage door.
Not knowing the value
of my driveway, I
politely asked him
to find safer digs.
Concerned neighbors
protecting my cold slab
called the cops
disturbed my sleep
abraided something inside.
Left alone, we
might have passed that night
unknowing each other
within the relative safety of circumstance,
soft pillows for me
the "scorcerer"
for him.
"Do you want him arrested?"
Of course not! He didn't do anything.
Except leave his mark-
a note to the demon
and a gift for me,
the snot of complacency.
He ambled off
leaving me shaking
with heart-stone tears.
It's still there
encrusted now.
A sticky guidepost
to lost spirits
and comfortable ideals.
Reminding me to
sleep well.

John DeJarnatt
4/2/92

Free Range Chicken Broth

I will finish my travel blog one day, but feel like this story needs to be told...

Perhaps you've heard of free range chickens.  They are supposed to have better lives than their cooped-up counter-parts, at least right up until the moment they become your favorite McChickens and Chicken Tenders.  This, however, is the story of that other denizen of the range - free range chicken broth.

Little is known about the origins of free range chicken broth, or FRCB for short.  Perhaps it followed the evolutionary path of the free range chicken.  Or maybe it branched off early on.  Either way, it is clear that this new species needs further study.

From what I've learned so far, FRCB can be found in a variety of environments.  It seems to prefer the solitude of the open range.  I found this individual relaxing in the late afternoon sun.  Perhaps there is a connection between solar radiation absorption and the purported benefits of a substance known as "chicken soup" which appears later in the life development of the FRCB.

It was quite docile, and did not seem to mind being approached or photographed.  I heard no sound, but did detect a slight aroma of thyme and pepper.  Apparently, the purpose of this aroma is to attract certain elements known to be found in the Land of Soup.  I didn't see in evidence of these, but I have had some experience with them in the past.  Further study will be needed to confirm this connection.

As I continued my search of the immediate area, I discovered additional members of the FRCB clan in a variety of habitats.  I was surprised to learn that FRCB was capable of climbing trees.  Here is an example of what I discovered:

There didn't seem to be any appendages or wings, so I don't know how it reached this position.  It seemed quite comfortable resting in the crook of this tree trunk and, like the other individual, did not show any alarm at my presence.  Because of it's position, I didn't smell the aroma of the other one but did hear a slight gurgling sound.  I wondered what might be causing it, but my attention was immediately drawn to an area near this tree.  I heard a rustling in a pile of fallen leaves, as if something was trying to burrow into it.   This is what I found:

As I approached this FRCB, the rustling stopped.  Judging by the position of this individual, it was hard to tell whether it had been attempting to hide by burrowing or emerging from below the leaf pile.  Then it hit me!  Could this be the hidden breeding ground of this mysterious species?  Or, and much more likely I think, perhaps it had fallen from the tree.  Here's a dark thought.  Maybe it was pushed by the other one?  Now that would explain the solitary nature of this creature I guess, but it also suggests that there may be a hidden danger of aggression in this seemingly docile species.  I decided to proceed with caution.

On a nearby fence, I found another member of this "clan" of free range chicken broth (if, in fact, they do gather in clans.)  Based on my previous encounter, I approached this one with caution.  It was much higher than any I'd seen so far.  There was no evidence of sound, movement, or aroma.  That gave me an uneasy feeling as I got ready to photograph this one.  It seem poised to do something.  I just didn't know what.  I quickly moved in, took the photo, and retreated to safety.

As I moved away, it just sat there.  I wondered if I had been concerned for no reason.  Still, if in doubt, caution is always advised.

My search continued.  I only found one more FRCB.  It was precariously perched on a lower fence near a creek.  This one gave off a definite odor, one of pepper and celery this time.  Though I could not be sure, they seemed to be capable of generating a wide variety of aromas.  This calls for further study, but I will have to pursue that at a later date.

This "member" of the final free range chicken broth clan that I found seemed much more peaceful than the last two.  It seemed to be enjoying the last rays of the sun perhaps.  It occurred to me that maybe the sound of the rippling waters of the creek had a soothing effect on FRCB.  Whether peaceful or aggressive, this certainly had been an interesting photographic outing.  Further study will be needed to decide what relationships there are between the smells, the locations, and the mysterious leaf pile.

The light was fading, so I got one final shot and retreated gently back to the safety of my house.  I knew my wife was making dinner.  I was hoping it was going to be her famous turkey soup.  I wasn't disappointed. 

Hmmm?  I wonder...

I'm home...

I haven't been able to get back to my narrative, but I will.  It's amazing just how tired I was once I got here.  So if you are following this, please don't give up on me.

Oregon again...

As I drove through Idaho, I didn't even feel like taking many photos.  That was a sign that my desire to travel is waning.  There were certainly places worthy of stopping, but I just wanted to keep moving.  One month on the road is enough.  We left Salem for Indiana on August 21st.  But boy what a trip this has been!

After leaving Cody, Wyoming, I entered Yellowstone from the east side and made a stop at the Buffalo Bill Dam.  It was quite an impressive structure, and had a nice little visitors center too.  I did find the practice of charging $3.00 for the use of their bathroom a little unfriendly, but I guess the economy is hurting everyone these days.  Seriously, they were as surprised as I was when I pointed it out and quickly moved the sign.  But I still had to pay to pee.  (Not really.  I just wanted to say that.)

This was my second visit to Yellowstone.  The first one was when our kids were young and we just drove through.  I wanted to spend some quality time here this time.  The first animal I experienced was a large marmot with a mouthful of grass or something trying to hurry across the road.  It almost became a marmot pancake as I hit the brakes almost too late.  I really wanted to see a bear this time so I stopped at a beautiful meadow that was prime grizzly territory, according to the sign.  No bear appeared unfortunately, but I did spot a beautiful bull elk in the distance.  He managed to stick around long enough for me to get a few shots - photos, not guns.  I'd be in big trouble if I did that.

One of the things I soon discovered was that there were going to be lots of places to stop.  I think it took three hours just to travel about 25 miles.  When I visited here before, the big burn of 1988 was pretty fresh.   The scars are still here, but Momma Nature is doing what she does best - repairing and replenishing.  I did meet a woman who was complaining about all the burned trees.  She couldn't understand why "they" didn't come in and cut them all down.  I tried to explain that fire is a natural event and what we were seeing was exactly what we should be seeing at this stage.  The whole purpose of the park is to showcase nature and natural events.  I suspect she missed the point of the what I was saying.  Oh well.

 

I finally worked my way around the park to find a campground that still had spaces.  I was able to walk down to the shore of Yellowstone Lake to enjoy the setting sun and take some more photos.  Here are a couple.

 

In the process of the day, I met and talked to many wonderful folks from all over the world.  And that night, I went to sleep with the sound of bugling elk echoing through the forest.   On that note, I will end my tale for the night, so I can go to sleep to the sound of the creaking ceiling of my motel room as my neighbors move around.  Somehow, it's just not the same though.

Current Map of My Trip

The latest map:

Random thoughts for the day:

I passed through the town of Emblem, Wyoming today.  Population 10, plus 2 dogs.  I couldn't find their emblem though.

In my running game of White Horse, I now have 37 white horses - and lots of cemeteries.  Now if we could count antelope, I'd have over 100.  Are you keeping track Jean?

Camp ground life.  Most folks I've met have been wonderful.  But tonight, I'm next to a couple who sit outside their trailer smoking the foulest cigars that I've ever smelled.  I tried talking to them earlier, but all they did was grunt.

I got gas in Gillette, Wyoming today.  The town was fully equipped with the latest traffic control devices - stop signs, stop lights, cross walks, warning signs, etc.  It seemed to me that most of the driving population didn't have a clue what any of those things were for.  Very scary.  Maybe they are from the Chicago area?