A very Emotional day.

Our sister in law, Patricia (front right in photo), went in for some cardiac tests today in the Fort Walton Hospital. It appears that that she will need a lot more mechanical work done, so they are going to ship her to U of A Hospital at Birmingham. Cynthia (back row right) is going to go up tomorrow after the ambulance. Her sister, Laura, is coming down from down from Iowa with the kids.

We will wait to hear more and then maybe stop in Birmingham on the way home.

Pat came down to get away from the cold and has enjoyed a couple of years here with Cynthia and grandson, Ben (back row left). She is a very strong, resilient and fine ladie and I'm sure she will make it through this. Say some prayers for her.

We heard some very good and happy news, but can not divulge it at this time. Shucks! Stay tuned.

Dena's cheer leading friends call from Ravenelli's in Collinsville, Il asking if she could come over on such short notice, but did not realize we are still in Florida. She talked to Donna for a long time and she felt better after the phone call.

Next on the line was Crash. She always has calming on Dena, who is very grateful for her friendship and love.

Now, kisses and hugs from the puppies and then off to bed for my princess so she will awake refreshed.

Live @ Logan's (Road House, Mary Esther, Florida)

Today we met some of the family at Logan's Roadhouse in Mary Esther, Florida, for lunch. It had started out as a breakfast with only my sister, Kathy, but as more family were added, the time and place was changed to Logan's for lunch. We all had good time and enjoyed the fellowship.

Four generations around the table (l-r) Marma Duke, Kathy, Alicia and Amara (six months and a very beautiful and happy baby).

Alicia's step daughter, Gia, center, and Gia's friends, Kennedy (right) and Kyra (left) all about thirteen years give or take a couple of months and all of them too, too, too cute. Brother, Tom and I had a peanut fight with them. I'm pretty sure that they won ( or we surrendered). (Logan's has a barrel of these complimentary legumes and when the nuts are devoured, the shells are just thrown on the floor)

Jason, Alicia Mom, Kathy and Amara.

Tom (a bad shot with peanuts) and step-son, Trey.

Bette, Dena and Amara. The baby is the cutest little six month old girl. Very happy and not shy about being held by others, even by me.

All in all it was a very fun and happy time. The family is a scary and wonderful thing, all at the same time. Thank God for them.

Tie-dyeing with Willow as the Hurricane Ida approaches.

While the weather had it's way at the beach and chased away the sun worshipers and swimmers, we danced and played, (well, we 'played' hooky from house work, anyway.) Hurricane Ida, only a category one, was headed our way, with rain and winds.

Today we went to the house of Willow and Rogers to do some tie-dyeing. Dena had purchased a t-shirt at the local yoga studio her in Navarre. The girls from Yoga are going to get together in December to and tie-dye their shirts, but we won't be here.

As it happened, I went to meditation yoga a day or so later and met Willow who is a dyeing expert, "avec dehors l'egale" (with out equal). She was gracious enough to invite Dena (& I) to decorate the shirt before we left for home in Illinois and teach us the process, as Dena may help our northern yoga studio do the same thing.

It was relatively easy as Willow lead us through the procedure. First, add the design of our choice to the shirt (excluding some trade secret patterns). Then, prepare the shirt to receive the dye. Next, fold around the design and tie segments with sinew to separate the colors. Now, apply color, and allow to dry. Finally wash several times to stop the possible bleeding.

I tied an old shirt that was stained and not worn very often, the new colors should cover any old blemishes. I should look pretty "far out" when I get it back from Willow.

You can order shirts, hoodies, dresses, drapes, wall hangings, etc, from Mellow Tie Dye.com . (Ask about the "dragon fly" it is the coolest, but not on the website yet.) Willow is "vivacious", (I don't mean to over-use the word, but it fits her, too) not at all like the name of the business (Mellow) that she and her friend in Texas formed . She is sweet, energetic and a lot of fun to be around. She and her husband were in the Air Force together and spent most of their time, stationed here in Northwest Florida. They wound up living here and have a beautiful house in Navarre.

Dena and Willow ( left) at the studio. Hubby, Rogers was rained out at work, so we had a photo-opp with him too. He is working on a very big, new steel mill in Alabama. Their dog Scarlett had a sore foot, but was very sweet, ignoring the pain. The children were at school, but perhaps we will meet them next time.

Does shirt make me look slimmer???? Pretty soon everyone on the block will want

one. The heart on the back was supposed to be straight, but everyone seems to like the mistake. I like the way the camera makes my bald spot shine like a beacon. I'm doing all the picture taking from now on.=)

As the clouds rolled in and the rains came in advance of the storm (now, thank God the hurricane has been down grade to Tropical Storm Ida.), the wind surfers were enjoying

unusually strong wind. They were skimming by at frightening speeds. The wind was strong enough to allow the surfer to be pulled skyward as much as ten feet off the water. "Pretty cool."

"Ride the Tiger." or "Tiger by the tail."

I think that "Jefferson Airplane", later "Starship" had a nice song, "Ride the Tiger" 1974. This is not the best rendition of the song, but it gives you some idea.

I like the lyric:

"It's like a tear in the hands of a western man, (He'll) Tell you about salt, carbon and water
But a tear to an oriental man
He'll tell you about sadness and sorrow or the love of a man and
a woman."

(Erica, I'm trying to get better at making links.)

I was reminded of that song when Delaney and Harper got a couple of stuffed Tigers, one white (Snow) and the other an orange (Bengal). At first Delaney did not show much interest in either, but as soon as Harper tried one out for size, Delaney's (Laney, as she is known to the paparazzi) interest started to peak.

Laney stays in the back ground part of the time, not wanting to get too close, but also not wanting to miss out on any really good fun.

Eileen and Jennifer, a fine couple of motha's.

We went to Ramone's El Dorado, in Collinsville. Dena and I go there every week for "Date Night". We have been going there for 25 years and hope to go at least another 25. Our Florida brethren and 'cistern' =), asked to break bread (tacos) with us, as they have enjoyed this restaurant with us before. The food, drinks and friendship were had by all and it was as good as it gets. We missed Ken and Allen, spouses that had to work, but we will see them and many more tomorrow at Gina's wedding.

My sister, Eileen says that Harper looks like me when I was that age. As I look at photos from 1948 (wow) I see the resemblance. I'm sure in a month she will look like any number of family members in our vast clan for some period of time and then morph again, (possibly a butterfly???) =-) If she starts a beard, walks bow-legged and wears glasses, I might be a little more concerned of her resemblance to me, otherwise I know she will turn out to be a wonderfully beautiful child and adult as so many in our family have done to date. =)

Two of my brothers, Mark & Richard along with their wives, Bette & Kathy, came up from Florida to go to their (our) niece's wedding. They had some time to stop by our sister's, Eileen, for a visit. Since this is a day when Eileen watches her granddaughters, Delaney & Harper today, so we got an extra treat with the girls. Delaney has big blue eyes, but is a little shy towards me (I think it is the beard). I do not see her much and this is the first time I have seen Harper (8 months). Shame on me. It is hard to believe that they have both grown so fast.

Both girls are darling and fun to watch, but I like being the grandfather or great uncle when they need their diapers changed. "Here Mom." Eileen is very proud of these latest grandchildren. The other two, Anne & Jon are both in high school and do not require the attention associated with toddlers. Still she lights up when they come by or she is talking about them.

The Coleman Show. "The Sequel"

For all those who are in need of a Coleman fix, let this be a small teaser until you get to see him in person. His literary agent told me that Cole (as he is known to his close friends in the "hood") will have a signing for his new book "My Early Years", at "Babies 'R' Us", at a time to be arranged. All are welcome, but the family discount for his signature only applies to purchasing, at full price, this "First Edition" his latest book. =))

Our "sometimes wild" dad has adjusted to the role of father-hood comfortably. He preformed all of the parental duties with ease and precision of an old English Nanny. Now that I think about it, he is starting to look a little dowdy. ==))

The Faery Godmother had to get her fix today, too. She was over last week to spell Beth, while she rested. Beth did not get much rest, but every moment of sleep is precious.

Beth (radiant as always, not showing the wear & tear of motherhood) stops for a quick photo-opp, before she is off to check on costumes at her school of dance.

Coleman was a very good baby, even when I held him. =) Here he is in his swing. He wants to grow up and be just like his dad, a bottle, a burp, a fart, (a diaper?) and off to sleep. Ain't he cute!

Rah! Rah! Sisss-Boom-Bah, Peyton Cheering.

Recently I met my daughter, Tracy & granddaughter Rylan to watch Rylan's big sister, Peyton (8th grade), cheer for the Glenwood Middle School "Titans", 7th & 8th grade, "Our gridiron greats", in Chatham, Il. I'm not sure of the football game's outcome, but the cheerleading was a winner. It was a little cold and windy, but it did not seem to affect the girls on the sideline much. This is Peyton's second year cheering and I am very proud of her. To keep her position on the squad she is required to have good grades and stellar record at school. Her mother would see to both of those things anyway, but it is nice for Peyton to hear it from another source. All the girls on the squad are well behaved and enthusiastic athletics in their own rite.

Although I did not know Peyton's grandmother, Dena, in 8th grade at Prather School, Granite City, Il, she was already leading a cheer for her junior high School "Chiefs". In the photo left she is top right and her best friend, Debby, is top middle. Dena went on to cheer in high school and was voted "Most Friendly" her senior year. (We will not divulge just WHAT year that was.) =)

We got some cute girls in this family.

Peyton as her own following at school, her are some of her friends were here to watch the game and Peyton cheer. They are good girls and all well known to Tracy, who is also a favorite "Mom" among the girls, keeping a good watch over their activities.

Peyton on top (right) of the pyramid. A little balance problem at the end, but who's perfect.

Another cheer video. "Bears get ready for defeat."

One last cheer for the "Gipper".

RyRy (left) hamming for the camera. She made sure that grandpa paid attention to his little one, while she cheered at the game at the game. She knows some of the cheer and movements. I would not be surprised if don't have a third granddaughter cheering. (Ashley, 11, (below) cheered several years for the St Charles Titans Jr football league.)) It was the same team the her brother Jordan (12) played for, before they moved to O' Fallon.

". . . and the band played on." A wonderful half-time performance.

. . . and Asher makes ? ? ?, but who's counting

I am very happy to report that Dena's (& my) family is still growing. Amy had her second child, a boy named Asher. Almost everyone in the family got to hold our new infant at Clara's Monday night. It is a right of passage for us to embrace the new baby and introduce ourselves to him. He is a very good natured and healthy baby.

Wee has Asher for a "photo-opp".

Mom and Asher take a quiet break from all the new family members. He was very good during the "meet and greet", but did not mind a snuggle with his mom.

Big sis, Kyla gets an old Barbie doll that came from Great-Grandama's house and the toy will no doubt go to Antique Road Show before long. Kyla may become very rich.

Aunt Dena and Kyla pose for a photo-op, the line for autographs went around the block. Kyla is not lacking for attention, she went to see all the vast family members and was their delightful entertainment that night. Her hair has finally grown and she has become very outgoing. Kyla was dancing, jumping and generally having a good time. (Please see video)

Cynthia and son, Ben up from Florida for a short visit. It is good to see them, but we will visit them and their mother Pat, soon.

Grant, Kyla, Mia and Wee, visiting at Clara's

Amy seems very happy for the family to meet her son, Asher, and just as happy to get a break while others hold the beautiful boy.

1969 New Orleans Pop Festival.

Way, way back, (before the term "in the day") there was a pop festival. It was held Forty years ago, hard for me to believe so much time has past since then. The celebration started Sunday, August 31st and ended Monday (Labor day) September 1st, 1969. It was a very hot summer weekend, but goers at the crowded event (25,000) did not seem to mind. Several friends talked about a party with many great bands was to be staged at the Louisiana International Speedway, north of Gonzalaz, La. I was hesitant at first, but they said we would have a "far out" time, be "out of state", have fun and spend some time together before I shipped out to Germany later that year, I agreed to come along. I was not then and later was never really a hippy, though I sported long hair for several years after I got out of the service, but in my soul I loved the music just as much as any flower child.

Hurricane Camille had hit Biloxi, Ms, the Gulf Coast and me August 17, 1969 (right in the middle of Woodstock). This was our first leave after starting the cleanup from the 190 mph storm. Storm surge waves of 25 feet had hit all along the Mississippi coast, sparing nothing. At that time it was the greatest storm on record, tearing down houses that had stood on or near the beach for 200 years. My boss said that I could take off for a couple of days and I did not ask twice. I had spent the past two weeks, night and day with a chain saw in my hand, clearing roads and houses of 100 year old trees, as big submarine and dearly needed some R & R

The festival was a blessing for many people still in shock over the loss (including me, but that was not much) of everything they had owned. It allowed an escape from the hellish landscape and horrible conditions of the Mississippi Coast. This was the first time I had seen houses or street lights lit. You could go to a service station, get gas (Wow) and a bag of ice, luxuries we had not seen in a while. Store and restaurants were open and were air conditioned. This celebration became as much about life as it was about music. It was a great time, know matter how you look at it.

The lineup for the New Orleans Pop Festival included The Byrds, Canned Heat, Chicago (Transit Authority), Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, It's a Beautiful Day, Janis Joplin, Santana (my favorite), T-Rex, Youngbloods "and many more stars". The two day event cost a whopping $16.00 at the gate. It also included free camping and a "giant fireworks show". I have a copy of the poster to the top right, but could not find it, Dena must have taken it to the "Antique Road Show".

Notice the flying "boats" on the advertisement above. They are derived (I found this out later) from the "Mystery Submarine" on display at the Louisiana State Museum at Jackson Square, downtown New Orleans. I found the photo of the sub on another blog site. Read about it if you are inclined.

http://peripateticengineer.blogspot.com/2009/02/louisianas-mystery-submarine.html

This music celebration followed on the heals of "Woodstock", too. It was in New York, several weeks earlier, spanning our hurricane. I had met some "hippies" about three weeks earlier, on their way to a "music festival in New York" (no big deal, I thought?). I met them while idling on the beach in Biloxi, MS, where I was stationed in the good ole' US Air Force. They were headed to some town very near the Catskill Mountains, below Albany, NY, on a farm owned by some guy named Yasgur. (Sing it to me, Jonie Mitchell) It was many months later, when the gravity of the Woodstock concert and those hippies going to the very same festival, hit me. (Dah!) What stories they must have had to tell.

Carlos Santana and his band had already found their there way into my musical catalog. He is one of the best, if not 'the' best guitarist in the world. (with the possible exception of Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.) There is to my knowledge no video or audio of the N. O. Pop Festival, but Woodstock, several weeks prior, was filmed including a very good ten minuet rendition of "Soul Sacrifice". (See the link below, but be advised, there is some nudity in the video. Shut off the video and listen to the audio.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko&NR=1

Pictured to the left at the New Orleans Pop Festival 1969 is Carlos Santana on guitar and Jose ("Chepito") Areas on congas. (Photo, showing some age, courtesy, : Me.) A lot of the photos did not turn out, but I saved this one. The music flowed and the people were happy.

Carlos said in a recent interview, that he had taken some mescaline thinking he had hours to come down, but since other bands could not get through the traffic jam, his band had to go on immediately.

He said that because of the drugs, his guitar had turned into a large snake with which he wrestled the entire performance. He prayed that he would never do mescaline again, if he could only stay in tune and beat.

Another band that really came across well was "It's A Beautiful Day" with their song "White Bird" (". . . in a golden cage"). Before this festival, I do not think that I had ever really noticed an lead electric violin in a rock band. It was not until 1972 that Marshall Tucker played his 'bad' fiddle. David LaFlamme (great name) on a 'killer' violin and his wife Linda LaFlamme's memorable voice and organ playing.

The album cover below is one of the prettiest

cover I ever seen.

A "pillow fight broke out when one or two of the celebrants, probably having a little too much sprits (or something like that) decided that a little snow would cool thing off. It got a little out of hand, as several other pillow toting goers added their feathers to the mix and we had an early Christmas.

On the way out, Monday afternoon I took a shot of some of my very tired friends that had stayed to the bitter end. Clowning for the camera, right, Rich Sonjia(?) (I can't remember that French-Cajun spelling) and is sister (yellow shorts) and several guys to the left. Some of the people we partied with were regulars, but some we barely knew their name. Not pictured is Gregg Lockhart, my roommate who I think left early to beat the crowd. As you can see we waited until the bulk of the crowd had left. We headed back to the horrible damage of Biloxi and started back to cutting and cleaning. Later that year I was shipped to Germany (tough break) =) and did not get back to Biloxi until the mid-Seventies. By then most of the coast was back on it's feet, but there were still remnants of the storm and scares that would never heal.

The Coleman Show

Dena & I got to see the newest member of the family last night. We were very pleased to meet Coleman Mathew, a very sweet, 'un-assuming' infant. =) Beth is a natural, as a mother. She wears her title well, even though it has only been for a dozen days. I guess teaching all the dance, tap, and jazz kids and the nine months prior, have given her time to prepare. Mat was his usual, un-usual self , though a bit more subdued, reflective and sober. I took his temperature, checked his pulse and ID to make sure we had the right guy. I'm sure that by the time this goes to press he will make "Mat of himself" and we can relax.

The grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins have been anxiously awaiting the debut of our 'Cole'. From all the fan-fair we have heard, they are very pleased. We know that this family will cherish, nourish, protect and love this boy. You can see it in their eye's and in the hear it in the loving sound of their voices. I felt that warmth in our hearts as we visited, it is a happy place.

Dena has been looking forward to this blessed event for a very long time. She has a soft spot in her heart for all of Steve and Sandy's kids, and Mat is no exception. Dena & I were very happy with his choice in Beth, as she is a good fit & hit with the family. She is easily loved by all. There was a time (when a dance studio, far, far, away was calling to her) and when we had to hold our collective breaths she would return, but thank God, he did not let her "get away". ( . . . and maybe, just maybe, she wanted (a little bit) to get caught, too.)

Mat was especially happy with the gift of the "Superman" costume, until he found out it that went, instead, to Coleman. Dena remembered correctly that Mat had dressed up as many a super hero, 'back in of the day'. I had heard he liked Superman, Greatest American Hero, Batman, etc. They contributed to some of the secret disguises he wore. But, according to Mat, the afore mentioned 'heros', actually stole their costumes from him. Who, at Marvel Comics, was going to believe this small kid. Occasionally Mat would get the outfits mixed up, wearing the pants of one, but the shirt of another. He, rightly, called it "cross-dressing".

Mat decides that Cole will not be exactly like Mat, is he seeing the error of his ways???

Coleman gets a little exercise. It is a good feeling to hold a baby, (until it's diaper needs to be changed).

The whole world is stretched out before him, he may do things that we have only dreamed about. Cole can make changes that may save one person or the whole earth. "Today", his options are limit-less.

May God always rest his hand upon Coleman Mathew's shoulder, protecting and steering him along the many paths of his journey though life. The spark that was kindled by Mat & Beth will burn brightly in their son. As a family, we must do our part for Cole on his way to manhood. (. . . do not blink, for that day will be here before we are ready.)

We're off to see the Witch at Santa's house.

The beautiful children down the block have been coming to our house every year since Sophie (seated to the right of the witch) was in a stroller. She, followed closely by her siblings, Emma and Jack, comes to see the stuffed characters that Dena puts out for Halloween.

They will ask their mother, Jen, or grandmother, Kathy (living next door), to take them to see the Witch, the original figure. Since then, Dena has added a chicken and a scarecrow, mostly for these kids.

Sophie, is the middle child, but ring leader of this caper. Emma, who is "WAY" to old for this childishness, goes along to keep some order and sanity to it all. Jack tags along to see what the excitement is all about, but the importance of the visit is lost on him.

Sophie needs to inspect all the Halloween visitors and pose with them all. Her sister agrees that Sophie is a "ham".

Sophie decided that since I have a mostly white beard that I must be Santa Claus. Well I'm not one to dethrone that myth (OR is it real???), so I go along with the charade. (I remember when I heard the truth about the "Easter Bunny", I was bummed for a month.) If I see the kids, on my way out of the subdivision, I will stop and ask Sophie if she has seen my reindeer. I tell her that they have been out grazing, but now I need to round them up and get some practice with the sleigh. She always says that she has not seen them, but will keep a good lookout for them. I'll say something about 'a list of good girls & boys' and give her a jolly "Ho, Ho, Ho" as I drive out of sight.

Younger brother Jack makes a motion with his hand on his chin, as if stroking a beard when asked to identify Santa at the end of the block. He may be afraid to say the name out loud.

Dena and I are so pleased to have them and many other good people in our neighborhood. Good neighbors keep us here, that and a garage & basement full of junk, collected over a lifetime, would take decades to move.

May God bless this family and keep them close to his heart.

"Blue Bird"

Dena and I were watching Ken Burn's "National Parks" on PBS. It explores the origins of Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. It was captivating and the photography was breath-taking. We hope to be able to watch the balance of this series, as we love nature.

I looked up stuff on Yellowstone National Park and took a photo of the "Smokie the Bear" stuffed toy I purchased for Dena on our excursion into Yellowstone's natural beauties.

Last night I was tired and was still trying to find info for the blog that might be interesting to you readers. I came upon the live "webcam" for Mammoth Hot Springs. I could not get it to work, though I tried several times. It finally dawned upon my that it was a "live view" and it was dark outside. DA!!!!! Please, do not make the same mistake when you click on the site above.

When we went to Yellowstone for the first time in the early summer of 1993 it was a magical experience. We had traveled west, first to Steamboat Springs, for the wedding of Dena's niece, Laura and hubby Bob. That in itself was a wonderful leg of the journey. Just to see "The Mountains" is always a high point in any trip for me.

Since we were that far past the Mississippi, we decided to trace some of the head water's of tributaries such as the Missouri River. It seems as if it and many rivers owe their birth to streams that come from the northwest "Rockies" region.

We headed for Wyoming and Yellowstone. We traveled through the park to find it's treasures. There was one wonder after another, geysers, mud pots, water falls, mirrored lakes, mountain peaks, valley moraines and big animals, all seemed to be impossible to top. But, around every corner and over every rise, there was a new and more wonderful feature or inhabitant of this park.

I had an epiphany or revaluation, that transfixed me for some unknown time. The earth slowed down as I watched a surreal mountain blue bird sitting on a branch superimposed on the backdrop of the ultra-white Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces in north Yellowstone Park. I can not describe the blue color of the bird, except to say that it looked as if you held the bird upside-down by it's feet and shook it, that bright blue powder would fall everywhere. As if you were sprinkling fine blue baby powder, or that an excessive amount ladies' blue eye shadow had been applied by an unsupervised child. (Disclaimer: Do NOT attempt this at home, unless if you are a professional blue bird handler. (Ha!)),

Paul McCartney wrote a song about a "Bluebird" and some of the lyrics are as follows: "... Touch your lips with a magic kiss and you'll be a bluebird too and you'll know what love can do. Fly away through the midnight air, as we head across the sea and last we will be free... Bluebird, ah ha, Bluebird, ah, ha...". Not one of my favorite songs, but the title fits my theme. (Ha!)

We looked for and saw some animals in the park, but the easiest to photograph was the ubiquitous ground squirrel, shown here posing for us. He made a stink when we did not offer him "scale" (wages), so we tossed him some scraps before he called his agent.

My favorite large animal is the moose, but the harder we tried to find one the more invisible they became. As we returned to our cabin at Lake Yellowstone back in 1993 we were slowed by a mob of people walking and blocking the road. I waited patiently (though my wife might disagree) for the crowd to clear when a larger than life moose came right past the car. Sitting in the car as it ambled along very near to my vehicle I found that I was looking at his/her (?) under belly. This majestic creature was very, very large. I watched it with some fear, but mostly in awe and wonder, as the question came to me, where is my "darn" camera??? I had put it in the case because we were finished sight-seeing and now searching for food. By the time I got the camera out and was able to squeeze at shot, the moose had moved on and was quite far away. The photo below is with a telephoto lens and does no justice to the enormous size of the moose.

My next and last (to date) moose sighting was a year or so after I had retired and went west, fishing with a friend. I was again in Yellowstone searching for a place to fly fish. I am not the worlds best fisherman, fly or any other kind, but I enjoy the outdoors and fishing is as good an excuse to visit Mother Nature.

I had found a very nice, large and abandoned pond (small lake?). I put on my considerable equipment and walked carefully towards the lake. As I approached the shore, I saw some ripples on it's otherwise mirrored surface. I decided that I would make my first cast to that spot, quite sure there was a nice trout just below the surface. I had seen some caddis flies circling me on my way down. Luckily I had already tied a home-made elk hair caddis on to my line. They are my favorite and relatively easy to tie and I can watch the fly as it floats on the surface, it is a big help knowing were to look for your lure.

As I spooled some line out to begin my back cast, there was a great disturbance in the water. At first I thought I might be gas being vented from the unstable earth below, but all doubt left when the biggest pair of antlers I had ever seen emerged from the lake. A head of a moose was attached to that rack, and that connected to the neck, etc. As the moose rose to shoulder height out of the water it gazed at me with no concern. He must have had his fill and exited the opposite side of the lake. Now, I could get a better guess at the enormous girth, length and height size. It seemed as big as an elephant, though I know it was not. I was dwarfed by the creature. It is an experience that will stay with me forever and I am grateful to have witnessed God's great glory.

Before that day, I did not know upon what the moose feed, but I got a crash course their favorite meal. It seems that the vegetation growing under the surface of lakes is considered a delicacy by them. I found out later that it is not uncommon to find a moose partially of completely submerged for long periods of time while grazing on this tasty (?) flora.

Somewhere in our journeys in Yellowstone we came upon an elk cow that did not seem to be particularly impressed with our invasion of her home. The cow gave us a gesture that I will not put in words, but I think you can decipher it from her body posture. Elk or no elk I hope that you all experience that great national treasure.