Kim McMahill

Despite being a poor swimmer and having a healthy respect for water, I'm fascinated by it. I also understand its vital role in the survival of humanity and our planet. Access to clean water is essential for the health of people around the world, and is necessary for growing food and maintaining a healthy and function ecosystem. But on a less serious side, water has a calming influence on the soul. Nothing is more relaxing than sitting on a beach or lakeshore watching the water or floating down a lazy river. And often, I just enjoy its beauty and am mesmerized by its power.   

When I can't get too far away, I look for a few moments to enjoy the peace, solitude, and beauty of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and the Beartooth Highway. Here are a few photos I'd like to share of this spectacular place .

  A recent day trip to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area left me asking myself why I don’t go there more often. Being past the summer boating and tourist season, we had the place nearly to ourselves. The scenery was stunning and spotting bighorn sheep and wild horses up close was a special treat. There are a number of cultural sites as well, including tepee rings and historic ranches. And, after a few overnight freezes and cool daytime temperatures to force the rattlesnakes into hiding or at least into a more sluggish behavior as they search for warming sunshine, I felt a little more comfortable hiking.

Any time of year a drive up the North Fork Highway in northern Wyoming is a real treat. On my latest outing we saw bighorn sheep and elk galore and as usual, beautiful scenery. There is nothing like nature to uplift the spirit during difficult times. I hope everyone can find a bit of space for some fresh air and rejuvenation. Sorry the elk are a little blurry, but I didn’t want to get close enough to startle them, so took the picture from an appropriate distance.

"To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines of the continents for untold thousands of year, to see the running of the old eels and the young shad to the sea, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be." - Rachel Carson -