R O A D   T R I P   T O   Y E L L O W S T O N E

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

While I marvel at the scenery, I miss my exit. That happens every once in a while, I get lost in the sights, but I immediately forgive myself and drive to the next exit.

At the exit's stop sign I look across the way and see a big sign for an exhibit, the Montana Grizzly Encounters. All day up to this point I've been feeling a bit rushed. My concern of missing out on a campsite at Yellowstone is controlling the day's tempo. But then I get to thinking, so what if I don't get a campsite, I'll find an alternative. This trip is about finding opportunities and jumping on them. So I pounce on the opportunity, I turn right and enter the attraction.

While waiting for my turn in line at the entry gate, I have a horrible vision of a helpless, emaciated bear in a cramped, feces-filled cage. I envision people standing around the cage with long, pointy sticks. All are simultaneously poking and prodding the poor animal, laughing in succession at its distressed, pathetic state.

I hope at length my vision isn't true, so after paying the $5 admission, I drive around to the viewing area, wishing all the while my earlier vision doesn't match reality.