The Majesty of Nature

In 2019, I decided I wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park. The idea of traveling to a part of the country I’d never seen was compelling, and going to a world-renowned park that spans three western states and is filled with natural wonders was intriguing.

Then the pandemic hit, which scuttled any travel plans for a while. That was followed by some serious health issues that I’ve written about in this blog. A year ago, when I was wheelchair-bound while awaiting a prosthetic to replace my amputated left foot, I was ready to give up on the idea of any extensive travel because of the potential limitations.

I’m happy to say didn’t give up, though, and my wife Reneé and I just returned from a wondrous trip to Yellowstone and nearby Grand Teton National Park. The prosthetic enabled me to walk around and visit many different places in the parks, with just a few restrictions such as climbing or descending steep inclines.

The trip offered some of the most magnificent views of nature I’ve ever seen or hope to see again. There were mountains, rivers, lakes, geysers, hot springs, and waterfalls. We got to see wildlife such as bison, elk, coyotes, bald eagles and beavers.

At one point, we encountered bison crossing one of the main roads in Yellowstone, bringing traffic to a halt and providing some great photo opportunities. We got to see these denizens of the park up close from the safety of our rental car.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to see a part of the country that is filled with natural wonders, that demonstrates the majesty of nature. I’ve often said how much I appreciate the parks and trails we have here on Long Island. But we do not have erupting geysers, roaming bison, canyons with waterfalls or multi-colored hot springs. I’ll be posting photos from the trip in the photo section in the coming weeks.

I’m also thankful for all the driving Reneé did, many miles as we traveled to, from and around the parks. I’ve not been able to drive over the past few years, and she patiently handled all of it while I got to sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

One of the most appealing aspects of visiting Yellowstone and Grant Teton was that it enabled us to be off the grid for a few days. Cell service was sporadic at best throughout the parks. This rendered GPS unavailable, which meant we had to rely on old-fashioned maps. But it also forced us to look away from our phones—except to take pictures—and focus more on the wonders around us.

Many of us have become extremely dependent on our digital devices. We frequently check emails and texts, scroll through social media feeds, or surf the web. To take a break from that, even for a few days, was refreshing.

This trip also provided me with some valuable lessons about what I am still capable of doing, despite the restrictions. This trip was not only a vacation; it was an educational experience as well.

Before we left, I wasn’t sure how well I’d be able to handle the challenges of travel. What would it be like going through TSA security checks at the airports with a prosthetic leg and an implanted defibrillator? How comfortable would I be on the long flights? How would my heart handle the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains?

I was able to get answers to all these questions, and ones I didn’t even know I had. And I’m glad to say things went well and I feel more confident about traveling.

Is there something you’ve wanted to do, or someplace you have wanted to visit? Make the effort to make it happen. For many of us, it’s not just the doing that provides a reward. It’s also the knowing that we can do things that might not have seemed probable or even possible.

“When you are in accord with nature, nature will yield its bounty”—Joseph Campbell

Side note: In a few days it will be the one-year anniversary of when I started doing this blog. When I began, I wasn’t sure how long it would last or how it would play out. It has been a pleasure sharing thoughts and inspirations with readers, and I am grateful for all who have come along on the journey, and for those who have shared their thoughts and experiences. I look forward to sharing more posts as we continue on that journey.

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