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November 7, 2006
How It's Suppposed to Go
If you didn't notice, yesterday's blog entry was rather negative. I was angry and upset, rightfully so, in my honest opinion. I hope today's blog entry will find me in a better place. Today I ran on the Yellowstone River Trail, inside of Yellowstone National Park, where it's illegal to hunt. Thus, it was just (mostly) me and the wilderness.
From the town of Gardiner, the Yellowstone River Trail undulates beautifully as it traces upstream next to the Yellowstone River for miles, and miles, and miles. In some places, the trail is wide, flat, and slightly overgrown with grass. You can fairly fly through these sections, feeling soft grass blades (Well, the grass is currently a little dead. Thus, it's a bit rough to the touch. But just imagine with me for a moment, okay?) brushing against your shins as you run. Elsewhere, the trail barely clings to steep walls of hard rock that drop a few hundred feet into the river. One travels these sections somewhat slower and with caution, but the feeling of looking straight down into the river is an exhilirating one (I recommend stopping to take in this view, rather than taking a potentially injurous misstep while looking at the scenery.).
As I ran, I saw a herd of bighorn sheep on the opposite side of the river, sitting in a tight cluster high on a grassy knoll. I caught a fast glimpse of a bald eagle as it flew past at eye level. The wind was violent again today, and the eagle was using the wind to fly with amazing speed. I spied the ever-present herds of deer. The herds were all bedded down in bushes and easily spooked when I ran by. I also saw a pair of hikers. Their heads were tucked deeply into hoods and hats, as if trying to hide from the wind. They never saw me approach, and they each jumped about a foot when I did.
Often during runs alone in the wilderness, I hear only my own breathing and footsteps breaking through nature's utter silence. This was not the case today, as everything seemed loud. Those gale-force winds howled through the canyon. The river seemed to make a lot of noise as its whitewater flowed over rocks and boulders. Even the birds were loud around me. It wasn't melodic birdsong either; rather, it was persistent, purposeful calling among the ranks. The wilderness was so noisy today that I never heard myself moving through it.
The weather forecast says some storm is blowing in. I didn't need Weather.com to discern that, though; the wilderness told me all I needed to know. From the sheep that have come off the cliffs to a safe flat spot, to the eagle that was going somewhere fast, to the bedded down and easily frightened deer, to the other hikers that were fighting a fierce wind, everything out there indicated that weather was on its way.
While I was running, I realized what bothered me most about my hunter encounters. Sure, it sucks that some of them have littered. Yes, it's not very nice for the occasional hunter to request a sexual favor from a passing female runner. And, it's inconvenient that I can't travel safely in the national forest backcountry (or frontcountry, as I learned) during hunting season. It bothered me most that, when I shared the wilderness with hunters, I didn't feel the senses of peace with and connection to nature that I often do when running. Today was different, though. I felt like I was a part of the place where I ran; I felt like I understood my surroundings; I think that's how it's supposed to go.
Posted by Meghan at November 7, 2006 6:37 PM
Comments
Wyoming on my mind and in my heart, many years ago I visited the Grand Tetons for a few weeks and what a wonderful place to run...it's where I first started trail running! I need to start planning another trip to Wyoming! Thanks for the memories! Sorry to hear about those crazy hunters, it looks like you found your sanctuary in Yellowstone!
Posted by: Ryan at November 8, 2006 10:12 AM