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November 2, 2006
Moondance
With apologies to Van Morrison, it was a marvelous night for a moondance. However, I was actually running rather than dancing. And, technically, I could only see the moon's glow through the a haze of cloud cover and falling snow. But, hey, this is my blog, and I can title my entries as I see fit.
I decided tonight was the night that I better walk the walk of the talk I've been talking. That is, I recently stated that I needed to grow the courage to train through the cold, snowy, windy, and dark Yellowstone winter. Granted, I only ran for about 40 minutes, but I did make it out there.
Last winter, I swore off night running at Yellowstone as I had a close encounter with a bison in the dark. With trepidation and an adrenaline rush created by the lingering bison memory, I set out for a short run. I wore a headlamp, but it did no good. In the snow, the headlamp performed somewhat like high beams do in fog, not very well. So, I turned off the high-beam headlamp and ran by my own night vision. Notably, my night vision is horrid; this has been unscientifically proven through anecdotes that typically involve me tripping, falling, or failing to see large obstacles in my nighttime path (eg: the bison standing in front of me last winter in the dark). For some reason, though, I could see well. Thus, I experienced no mishaps along the way.
My reward for tonight's courage to go on a winter-dark run was priceless. It was chilly, but not frigid, as Yellowstone was situated beneath a warmth-protecting cloud cover. Moonshine sometimes peaked through cloud breaks, but mostly it just added a bit of light to the darkness as it glowed dimly through the clouds. The wind blew mildly and surprisingly from the south, rather than the winter-typical north. And, snow flurries danced in the air. I'm unsure as to whether any snowflakes actually hit the ground, or whether they just floated on the breeze. Perhaps the snow was engaged in the real moondance.
Through the low clouds and snow, and using only the moonshine, I could just barely make out an outline of the mountains that surrounded the valley. I ran through the campground, observing a few brave campers sitting close to an orange, crackling campfire. They talked quietly, and their voices arrived to me as the smooth murmuring of contented souls. I passed through my neighborhood, inhaling the pleasant smells emerging from homes. Some smelled of wood smoke from fireplaces and stoves; others smelled of various sorts of dinner foods. Though I share Yellowstone National Park with several million visitors every year, I couldn't help but feel in those moments like this was my little spot on earth, and that I was tucked safely into it.
I'm aware that Van Morrison's "Moondance" is about romancing and loving another human being. On another but still somewhat related level, I'm also aware that I am in love with Yellowstone National Park and that this place has the definitive power to romance me. Resutingly, "Moondance's" lyrics fit well into this context.
Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
Chorus:
Can I just have one a' more Moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love
Well, I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait 'til the morning has come
And I know that the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide
Chorus
Repeat 1st Verse
One more Moondance with you in the moonlight
On a magic night
La, la, la, la in the moonlight
On a magic night
Can't I just have one more dance with you my love
Posted by Meghan at November 2, 2006 11:09 PM