My beloved middle daughter (not to be confused with either my beloved youngest or oldest daughter) dug down deep into her genes and found she needs an occasional road trip. She comes by those genes very naturally. I had a major case of wanderlust for a very long time. Career and responsibility have blunted my ability to respond to wanderlust- but they have not tamed it.
Middle Daughter (MD hereafter) texted a few days ago to say that she and a friend were thinking of going into Yellowstone for a day trip. Just to do a little walking about, cruising for animals, and being in the world’s first National Park in winter- you know, sundae stuff like that. I was deeply thrilled and slightly jealous. But I chose to focus on thrilled. I sent notes about the AWD system on the car – reminded her to check the oil pre and post excursion – let her know that her battery jump starting device can act as a phone charger for a good long time – suggested roads might be closed. And then I just called her and we talked (excitedly) for about 30 minutes.
If I can’t go, I can join in the thrill of the planning.
She told me about the extra clothes, the lunches, the plans- and then sent me her planned itinerary, and that was that. I was proud and impressed. She’s seriously on the ball about her recreational excursions.
I’m so happy that we live in a place that allows this sort of (nearly) spur of the moment opportunity to drop into such an amazing ecosystem for a short day trip. Many people plan for years to visit a place like Yellowstone. It is, quite simply, a local park for us. We know that fortune has smiled upon us. And we are thankful for that.
In the end- the images were terrific and they had a great time. Lamar Valley at the end of January. She’s doing well in school and, in my opinion, getting a 4.0 in “life”, as well. She is learning and making memories. I am so proud to her wings spreading as the wind begins to slide under them.
Nature, every day. 
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