Happy Memorial Day weekend and greetings from Yellowstone! I’m in search of places to call my own but of course, it’s also a place to share. Welcome to Storm Point!
Dark clouds, hence the name Storm Point
I heard that it was a beautiful place to experience a sunrise or sunset. One day, I must visit the location for its namesake. The descriptions are interesting, however, I decided upon a short afternoon hike to begin my discovery of lesser visited places — places to call my own.
I’m mesmerized by the sound of waves lapping the shore. Geese honk in the distance while the wind competes to be heard. The snowy mountains are sometimes hidden by the distant fall of rain. Patches of blue sky are littered here and there. If I wait awhile, I’m sure that I will feel the sun.
The National Park Service says that 95% of park visitors never explore beyond 100 yards from the road. Since arriving, I’ve noticed a steady influx of tourist visiting the easy to access and popular attractions. It’s getting crowded here! Embracing the label of outgoing introvert, I find myself shying away from the crowds yet appreciate the opportunity to explore the backcountry and meet interesting people. This hike illustrates what I’m after: locations that are seldom visited and good conversations with hardy characters.
Returning the favor, I got my picture taken too!
I bumped into a family that are clearly city folk. Led by a guide, they were clearly inquisitive and joyful. I met them at Storm Point while they were taking pictures. Soon it was selfie time and they wanted a picture of the whole group, including the guide. I initiated conversation and took a picture for them. Although we spoke briefly, the exchange created smiles between us.
A place to open the mind
A couple hundred yards down the shore, I may have found my place of meditation. A peninsula, not far from Storm Point, juts out into the lake. The view is incredible and the waves are soothing. Sunshine warmed by body as I sat on these rocks. I can sit there all day!
Not much soil, perhaps they couldn’t resist the view
On the way out, I stopped to admire a few sleepy bison that were not far from the trail. A small family approached and I showed them the napping behemoths. Together, we walked past the animals and struck up conversation. The father and mother were very talkative; the daughter was quiet but nice. They were very interested in what I was doing at Yellowstone this summer. I was happy to tell them about my work and my story. I discovered that he is employed by the CDC in Georgia and his work focuses on alcohol and policy. He is very passionate and I learned much from the conversation. Who would have known that I would discover the difference between alcoholism and binge drinking or the science behind the advisement of policy while hiking in Yellowstone? I walked with them for a quarter of a mile before shaking hands and saying goodbye.
Not everyone was so talkative
I discovered that meeting people on the trail can be just as rewarding as the destination itself. Often, there is great character behind these adventurous souls and I enjoy the conversations. Who I will meet next time?
