Yesterday, an older man with a Class C camper pulled into the campground. He stared at me and said, “Are you alone, too?” I could tell he was a retired guy just out wandering like me, so I said, “Yep”. We talked and decided to meet up later and share the evening campfire. He is a snowbird, heading to Arizona, kind of lonely after losing his wife a few years ago. He had been “sipping” Southern Comfort all evening and was quite chipper. Being old fuddy duddys, we each headed into our campers not long after dark. I enjoyed having someone to talk with for a change.

That second night in the camper was warmer, but still below freezing. I woke up around 3 AM to the soft, sound of female elk. They sound like cats mewing, odd for such a large beast. I hoped to see them, so I got up and stepped outside with a flashlight. Fog settled into the valley and the light reflected back onto myself. Darn. I knew they were out there but couldn’t see more than a foot or two ahead.

The fog made for a cold, damp morning, A coyote howled a few hours after I heard the elk. I didn’t start packing up until around 10:30 AM, when a bit of sun broke through and dried off the soggy camper. While waiting for the sun, I stayed inside bundled up, working on the sermon and drinking hot coffee. I am still amazed with my miraculous Kindle Paperwhite. I have a whole theological library–and other books–on that tiny device. Right now, that is 250 books. It makes traveling and working so much easier. I used to travel everywhere with heavy books, which gets tiring. Now, I toss the whole library into my purse.

I finally headed out towards my secret destination. The route so far looks much like Wyoming, but the hills are more rolling and higher. Many hawks drifted overhead, and I saw several large flocks of small, nervous little birds. I was eager to keep driving so did not stop to identify them. I could tell they were new-to-me by the odd way they flew.

I saw many female pheasant, who get spooked by semis and fly up and over the roads.

Female Pheasant

also observed many bird hunters with their birds dogs at the motel where I am spending the night (got to clean up before I get to the church tomorrow). It is a dog-friendly place, and each time I take Tango out, I see hunters unloading their guns, dogs, and gear. Tango growls, not knowing those dogs would finish him off with one bite.

And finally, each time I stopped to rest or for a snack today, I saw men with spurs on their boots. I was surprised, since I don’t think of this area as cowboy country. At the restaurant next door, where I ordered a take-out quesadilla, I saw two more men in spurs. I rarely saw spurs in Wyoming, the Cowboy State. Maybe just a coincidence.

Well, I barely crossed into the Central Time Zone when I stopped for the night. When I crossed, I lost an hour, but on Sunday I get that hour back, so I will be where I was before, in terms of the clock. That would make a good riddle. I will be working on that one.

So, a hot shower and hot breakfast at the hotel tomorrow morning. Big day.