From My Perspective: Long ,Winding Roads

This past weekend I was able to attend and teach at my first fiber festival for the year. In any other year, this would have been my seventh or eighth show of the season. It felt strange, in a way, loading up the car to make the trek, but once headed to my destination, it felt right.

Most of the trips I make are by car, but I'm usually so far behind and in such a rush, I rarely get to "enjoy the ride" so to speak. This trip was different. I was ready ahead of time (this is a really new concept to me as one of the world's best procrastinators) and took the long, more scenic route to my destination.

One of the coolest things about living where I do, and traveling to where I go are the things I get to see along the way. I'm a wildlife junkie. Just ask my other half who, when riding with me, is forever saying "keep your eyes on the road." I think it makes him a little nervous when I'm behind the wheel and look up through the windshield and ask, "Is that a Red Tail Hawk or a Coopers Hawk?" or "Look at that Bald Eagle over there." I'm sure his eyes are rolling as he reads this just wishing I'd focus on what's in front of me rather than what's in the sky.

At any rate, for this trip I was on my own, so driving, wildlife watching, and just plain old slowing down and enjoying the views were all part of the journey. Montana never disappoints, but I have to say, neither did the drive through the small towns in Idaho this past weekend. In Montana, I saw a wolf (which is only the second wolf I've ever seen in person, and this one darted out right behind my car on Highway 200). I also saw Bald Eagles, various hawks, and of course, white-tail deer. Once in Idaho, driving the back way through Saint Maries, I witnessed not just one elk, but about 70 of them. There was also a Blue Herron, several duck species, more deer and more elk.

I took my time, slowing down, stopping, snapping photos of pretty scenes, and all-around just enjoying what was around me. There were wildflowers, rolling hills, vigorous mountains, and, as always in the summer months, road construction. On a particular road construction spot, they were fixing a bridge on a little two-lane road, and I was stopped for about 15-20 minutes. Here I noticed the colors of the trees, bushes, and flowers. I saw cows grazing in a field, horses rolling in a dust pile, a farmer cutting hay (my allergies weren't too thrilled with that particular endeavor) and the coolest old red barn on the side of the road that had to have been there for generations.

I'm sure, these things and more are all around me, or us, almost all of the time, but I wonder how many are like the "usual me" and just pass them by without appreciating everything that they are or how lucky we are to be able to see them. In this wacky, insane, and often scary world we're maneuvering lately, I think it's more important than ever to appreciate all those little things around us.

I have two more festivals/opportunities to teach at this year, which for those counting (maybe it's just me counting), makes three out of twelve for the year. The rest have been cancelled and/or postponed for later or until next year. While I am pretty sad that there are only three, in a way I think I'm grateful too. By not being stressed to maximum levels about getting ready, being prepared, yada, yada, yada, I now have two additional opportunities to slow down, leave a little early, and enjoy those long, winding roads to the destinations. Two more opportunities to be a wildlife junkie, take my foot off the gas, take some photos, revel in the marvels that surround me, and have a little fun along the way.

Life, in general, is far too short. It's important to see what's around you. Keep a tally of the wildlife you see and where. If wildlife isn't your thing, find something to enjoy along the journey and make note of it. Slow down, see what's around you, take your own little trip and enjoy the long, winding road. I think you'll find it makes the destination a lot more pleasant, and the journey far more fun!