This is our National Park summer. We just got back from 5 days in Yellowstone, and are headed to Glacier next week. It makes me happy to live so close to these treasures. Wonderland is never the same thing twice. And it will be tough to top this round’s wildlife show – we saw wolves in three different places in the Lamar Valley. I couldn’t stop telling the others how this bordered on unbelievable, particularly for non wolf watchers (who spend countless hours watching and waiting by their scopes). Add to that mountain goats, osprey nests, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, bison, elk, bald eagles, spawning trout, and a badger up close. Then add geysers (approximately half the world’s total!), other thermal features, and waterfalls to the mix. Wonderland.

We did a family trip through the Yellowstone Association that emphasized the Junior Ranger program for the kids. It was thorough, informative, and fun. One of the questions in 9 year old’s workbook was How does Yellowstone make you feel? Her answer (exactly as she wrote it): FREEEEEE! I couldn’t agree more. It makes my heart sing that she is understanding the connection between nature and well-being early in her life. Photo credit to my Junior Ranger for the above picture of elk mama and her babies.

If you are sad that you can’t make it to Yellowstone this summer, join us for our October Yoga & Yellowstone hiking retreat. It’s my favorite time in the Park: the crowds are gone, the air is clean and crisp, and the elk are bugling. Come find your Namaste in nature.