I’m counting the days. They are coming quickly now. It started as a flash of an idea about 4 months ago and has now grown into an actual event. The reservations are now in place, the additional gear bought, and a rough schedule made. You see, I learned a long time ago that when it is time for an adventure, schedules and agendas are made to change. Sometimes you just go with it, and the most interesting things can happen. My coworkers are probably reading this now and trying to figure out if I’ve slipped a gear, based on how scheduled I am at work. But, when I’m travelling, the schedule (other than things like being on an airplane at a particular time) is just a rough guide. The time is coming soon. There was, however, one very early change that has me very surprised, very happy, and has one Mom a little upset.
I am going to take a week off this spring and go back to a place where I actually find a true sense of peace. I don’t find that feeling in many places in the world. I can think of two. I’m going back to Yellowstone. This year, to my surprise and happiness, I have a companion coming with me. Ian’s classes will be out in April, and he pointed out that we had not had a father and son trip since Boy Scouts. So, Ian is coming with me. Yes, Mom is not happy.
Mom was interested in going, but Ian asked her to please let just us go. She understands, but I think feels a touch left out. I get that. Even so, she wants us to go have a good time. Without her blessing, the trip wouldn’t be happening. Her big concern, I think, and one she has voiced to me, is that now she has to worry about 2 of us doing something ‘stupid’ and finishing our days as grizzly bear poo. As she likes to point out, it isn’t a theme park and the critters are not animatronic. Both Ian and I remind her that we both have a reasonable amount of the male version of common sense, though somehow I think she equates that to tying pork chops to our belts and running through the underbrush to try and get the bears closer for a picture.
Ian and I have talked about what we want to do. We both want to see if we can arrange a horseback trip up into the Blacktail Plateau. Ian wants to get back to Old Faithful and see the southern end of the park, which we did not get to when he was there before, but I was able to see last year when I was there. And of course, we want to see the wildlife. For me, I want to find the wolves and the grizzlies. In particular, I want to try and find the Canyon Pack. They were the first wolves we ever saw. I don’t know if I will ever lose the memory of the beautiful white-furred alpha female of that pack as she moved past us at a distance of about 6 feet. Maybe we will get lucky again. However, to see wolves usually means getting up really early to get out to the Lamar or Hayden Valleys. Like 4:30 AM early. But the big thing is that Ian is ok with that. Mind you, his idea of early rising is usually getting up in time for lunch when he has free time.
The other thing I’m excited about is something that I realized as the two of us have planned this trip. It may be a father-son trip, but it is also something else. It is a trip being taken by two adults. Ian is contributing to the trip and he is also been an equal partner in the decision making, from deciding airline flights to picking the motel. For those interested, Super 8 won out (not a lot of choices in Gardiner, MT) – I had a different, mom and pop motel targeted, but Ian made a cogent argument for inside hallways, indoor pool, and the fact the Super 8 is right across the street from the town grocery store, should we be trapped at the hotel by a freak, late season blizzard.
So, let’s see how this trip goes. I’m guessing Ian and I will see our relationship continue to evolve. That evolution is necessary and it is a good thing. It is natural. Ian isn’t a little boy anymore, no matter how hard it still is for me to let go of some of that. I’m guessing this trip will help me continue to grow with that idea as well. For him, the process is slow, and not fast enough. For me it is sometimes too fast, and leaves me feeling like I’m clutching at air, trying to find something to hold on to so it all doesn’t fall away. But the change is something I need to continue to do, and these kinds of touch points in life are the things that seem to help me do that. I often get the feeling that Ian is just humoring me, and that he understands a bit of the conflict that I always go through in letting my no longer little child really be the adult he has become and is still becoming.
Oh, and if any of you have actually read far enough, and are still wondering who Farley Mowat is, then here is your answer: He is one of Canada’s most read authors, writing a number of books about the natural world and, in 1963 wrote a book that I read as a middle school student. It was a book that kind of stuck in the back of my mind for a long time, but in the last couple of years, has come to mind again due to the discovery of some interests I have. The book I’m referring to is titled, Never Cry Wolf.
