Fall in Wyoming

While it still feels like summer in the south, fall is upon us in Wyoming. The trees have changed and many have already lost their leaves.

I have always wanted to see and photograph the Aspens quaking, and had been looking forward to seeing them light up all summer long, and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint.
The little ones began to slowly light up like small candles, then next thing I knew, all the aspens were lit up and the valley we're nestled in was ablaze of colors. They had me in absolute awe. I have never seen more brilliant fall colors in all my life.

So needless to say it was photographers paradise and I might or might not have gotten carried away getting pictures.... :)

Like all the beauty here, it's impossible to truly capture it on camera, but I tried my hardest.
Below are some of my attempts.

This is the view from across the ranch pasture.

And of course I had to get a few pictures with them :)

This is the view you're rewarded with shortly after turning out of the ranch.

Looks like a painting doesn't it?

Schwabacher's Landing is the most gorgeous place for reflections,

and plus it's not that far from the ranch

Oxbow Bend in Teton National Park.
The reflection in the water that day was unreal. It was like I was looking at a postcard.
There was no breeze which made the water like glass.

Coulter Bay in the park. It was so quiet and empty being closed for the winter.
I had the place to myself basically the whole time and just soaked up the solitude and thought back on the kayaking adventures I'd had there :)

There are so many more pictures I want to share but there just seems to be no time! I promise I will get some more posted.

My friend from back home flew out Sunday, and we've been exploring the area, but head out tomorrow on our adventure back home. So I'll be sure and post pictures and stories at some point :)

I am excited about all the amazing places we'll get to see, but my heart is heavy at the reality of leaving Wyoming behind. But Lord willing, I'll aim to spend another summer out here.  

Look forward to seeing everyone back home and hugging many necks here soon!

Adventures in Glacier National Park

So one of the big adventures on my bucket list while I was out here was to see Glacier National Park. So my boss graciously gave me two days off last week so that I could go see it.

The drive took pretty much all day (it's close to 9 hrs drive. That is, if you don't stop as often as I did, because I was by myself) but I got there just in time for sunset. I came in the east side, and this is Saint Mary's Lake.

I spent the night in the park then started driving on the scenic road that takes you through the park,

the Going to The Sun Road.

The first stop was Lake McDonald. A worker at the gift shop told me about this secluded little beach by the Ranger Station and I had it to myself.

The creek that runs into the lake.

The size of those Glaciers though.....

This waterfall was right by the road. Pretty amazing.

This had to be my favorite vista. The contrast of mountains, snow, and green trees was stunning.

So of course I had to get some self portraits with the glaciers :)

Logan's pass is the highest point of the drive.

I pulled over and took the small hike up to the secret lake lookout point and I'm so glad I did.

As you climb higher and higher you have a better view of the glaciers behind you. 

This is the view you're rewarded with.

This place was called Wild Goose Island.

The views on the way back were gorgeous. This was my view from the highway for quite a while.

I kept stopping to take photos.

Positively dreamy fields stretching on for miles. The grass was CRAZY tall.

The sunset was lovely too

Because I didn't leave the park until 4:30, and had to make several stops (the drive was about 530 miles) I didn't get back until 5:00 the next morning only to have to be at work at 6:30. So thankful for the Lord protecting me as I drove though the night, and most of the morning, and for my AMAZING mother for staying up late talking on the phone to me so I could keep alert and awake. I simply don't know how I would have made it or kept awake.

But man was it worth it, and I hope to go again one day and see more of it.

Montana is every bit as beautiful as I've heard it was. While I love where I am, and the ranch, it was so wonderful to get off the ranch for one night and to explore and see a state and place I had never seen before. What an adventure I'll never forget.

We only have two more weeks left after this which is making me really sad. I truly do not want to leave this amazing place and the people I have grown to love so much.

This experience has taught and grown me much, and I am forever grateful for the time I was given to spend here.

I'll be home October 20th, Lord willing. A friend is flying out October 9th and we're taking my dream road trip back home. We plan to see Grand Canyon, Brice Canyon, Arches, Zion, and Monument Valley, as well as Teton and Yellowstone. I could not be more thrilled!!!! :D