Tuesday, October 16, 2007

timing is everything

A few weeks ago, a blogging friend posted this quote (thanks Melody):

"Each moment is a place you've never been." ~Mark Strand

I've been thinking about those words a lot ever since I read them. I've used them as inspiration to get out and experience life and I've used them as a reminder that there's a lot of places I have yet to visit. Life is a sequence of moments, and sometimes timing is everything.

Last Saturday, my family went up into the mountains, into Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a cold, dreary day, but I love the mountains and knew I would enjoy being up there even if we had to stay in the car the whole day (and we pretty well did). Most of the colored leaves had already fallen, but there were a few trees sporting their fallish colors. You can see a couple of pictures on my photo site, The World Through My Eyes.

We also saw a lot of elk. Most of them a good distance away. We came across a large herd and I (literally) jumped out of the car to try to get some good pictures. As I snapped away, the herd started to move and I ran in the same direction in an effort to get even closer and even better photos. It was a thrill to see this huge herd run across the road into a different spot. There was one bull that bugled and snorted his communication to his harem as he made sure they all stayed together and ended up where he wanted them.

After I had taken all the pictures I could, I hopped back into the car and we traveled further down the road. We eventually turned around and went back the same way we came. As we passed by the place where the herd had passed through, there was no sign of the spectacular event we had just witnessed. Cars were driving through without a clue. I couldn't help but think how timing can mean the difference in seeing something special and not seeing anything at all. The saying, "timing is everything" never rang more true.

I'm only posting one picture today and leaving a few more for tomorrow, for Wordless Wednesday. I feel blessed to have been at the right place at the right time, and to experience a moment as a place I had never been to before.


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link of the day:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/7-year-old-sings-national-anthem/40945200

9 comments:

Dana a/k/a Sunshine said...

So true. I am jealous that you live so close to such beauty. I like where I live...but I wish we were closer to stuff like that that we could do on the weekends....I enjoy your pictures though...can't wait to see the ones tomorrow.

Melissa said...

Great thoughts! About 10 years ago I worked for a road construction company as a flagger. We were out in the middle of nowhere on a job and there was very little traffic. I was so bored and annoyed at having to be out there. But then I saw the most amazing thing... an eagle swoop down to the nearby stream and come out with a fish and then fly across the valley! It was AWESOME! And as I thought about it, it gave me some new perspective...

Pen of Jen said...

I love the quote! I am missing the mountains with snow and cold...we used to live in the high Uintahs in Utah.

Great photo! You are very talented.

Pen of Jen said...

Superb link of the day:)

MightyMom said...

just marvelous!

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

What a great post. I love that quote. It sounds like a great day.

Family W said...

That is a great quote... and an awesome picture. Your words are so true.... timing can be everything.

Lori said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Beautiful pictures.

Momma Roar said...

How awesome was that! Very cool Diana! Great photos too!