Photoblog: Family time at Juniper Springs

Tieton Love Affair

I spent my first night in Washington in Wenatchee National Forest. I found a little campsite that backed up to the Tieton River. It was far enough from the road that my van was almost invisible unless you were looking for it.

Perfect.

The photo above showcases my "front yard." It does absolutely no justice to the scale and detail of the rock formations that existed there. The photo below is the Tieton River -- my "backyard."

I was unaware of it then, but this campsite would become something of a home base for me over the course of the next few weeks. I didn't know it, but I had found a peace there that I had never known before, and that I will carry with me always. I began to uncover things within me that I didn't know were there. The river current, the wildlife, and the mountains that surrounded me would become the major catalyst in steering me onto the amazing life path that I am now walking upon.

Bear sighting!

Okay, bear experts. Is this a big black bear or a young grizzly? The bear is wet from the snow and rain, so the coat is matted down, but even so, this bear was really big for a black bear. I'm no expert, though, so I will put the ID in your capable hands.

 

After I broke camp at my little winter wonderland, I kept moving toward Yellowstone. It was around that same area that I spotted the bear.

I stopped at one of the turn-outs along the road to do a bit of sight-seeing. Shoshone National Forest is so incredibly beautiful. And vast. I felt so small here.

I don't really have a lot to say about this part of the trip. The photos say it much better than I could even try to. It was a privilege to be able to see this amazing area.

Snow!

Remember what I said about my campsite being so cold? Well -- it snowed!

I was awoken around midnight by what I thought was rain on the roof of my van. I looked out of my window, but it was pitch-black outside and freezing, so I shrugged and shivered and snuggled up back inside the warmth of my sleeping bag/fleece blanket combo.

Later on, around 4 a.m., the sky began to brighten, so I set about making my morning tea. Once it was ready, I started to take down my window shades and I could not believe my eyes: my campsite was blanketed in white. I put on my wool coat and my boots and went outside to explore my winter wonderland.

I took a walk a little way up the infamous forest road from the day before, and I took a bunch of photos of the van and my surroundings. Look at the snow on my solar panels! I was able to brush some off with my ice scraper/brush (glad I brought that along!) Luckily, the rest of it melted and fell away as I  drove down from the 10,000 feet of elevation I was camped at.

Waking up to snow in Wyoming was such an incredible treat. I can't believe the amazing experiences I've had in this state. I've said it before and I will keep saying it -- I cannot wait to go back there.