SPARKY’S BLOG
4-23-14
If I told
you that you were going to make a trip that took 3 days in a car lasting an
average of 9 hours per day; would you rejoice?
Would you be happy? Would you
relish in the fact that you’d be cramped in a small area with your butt
aching/cramping and your back stiffening up?
Most folks would pass on a trip like that except if you were embarking
on a potentially life altering sojourn understanding this trip would change you
forever. You may alter your thinking if
you were heading to a legendary national park with a new job in hand.
 |
| Crazy Horse |
 |
| Crazy Horse |
I’m not
even 3 weeks into my new adventure and I have changed. I’ve always been a “stop and smell the roses”
kinda guy. I’m a slow walker, slow eater
and fast appreciator of nature’s bounty because I like to savor the splendid
experience called “life”. My ex
brother-in-law would scarf down his food reducing the experience of eating as
just a necessary thing to live. My view-point
is that "Food for the body is not enough. There must
be food for the soul." Dorothy Day said this as she worked to eradicate hunger
for the poor in the 1930’s and 1040’s.
 |
| Mt. Rushmore (Keystone, SD) |
 |
| Mt. Rushmore (Keystone, SD) |
My point
is that I would climb over jagged glass to experience the epiphany that awaits
visitors to a place like Yellowstone National Park. My trip did involve 3 days of driving
across our great nation but I didn’t suffer as I saw the trek as a mere jaunt
that exposed me to the tremendous wind turbines in Indiana, vast corn fields in
Illinois, seeing bald eagles soar over the Mississippi River, enjoying the
skyline of Peoria, IL, amazed at the sheer numbers of cattle in South Dakota,
gazing on the antelope in Wyoming and, unfortunately, killing a kestrel (small
falcon) as it slammed into my windshield while I was going 70 mph. My jeep is now sporting a nice-sized crack
for me to view through as a reminder of the drive.
 |
| Devil's Tower - Wyoming |
In my
case, the journey IS the experience but so is the destination. I’m in my 50’s and recognize my mortality
more than most folks my age. I fully
intend to take full advantage of what was given to me with this new experience
as a sous chef within the confines of Yellowstone National Park’s
boundaries.
 |
| Yellowstone fox |
I have a
chance to make the second chapter of my life something spectacular; something
to cheer about and I’m not going to screw that up. I know I’m on the right course because since
I’ve arrived in the park; I’ve met like-minded people that share my views on
nature, cooking, music, art and more – much, much more! Sometimes it takes 52 years for you to find
your place in life or your “aha moment”.
I was meant to take this trip – a trip that has no definitive outcome as
I’m rolling the dice on a seasonal gig that will end in just a few short
months. But this gig is my window of
opportunity and sometimes you just have to grab that brass ring of
possibilities and know deep down that you’re making the right decision.
 |
| YNP Bison |
I’ve
changed …. the flowers smell sweeter, the food tastes better and the music is
altogether intoxicating. Whatever fear
resides within me is fastly melting away being replaced with hope.
I’m making
the right decision –
 |
| Paradise Valley, Montana |
Have a
great day and never give up!
Mark
(Sparky)
