The Bear and the Bison

A first hand view of some wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. 
I feel blessed to have had the privilege to witness it.

We were happily watching this herd of bison graze and I was getting back into the truck when...

...something a little different caught my eye.

Whoa! That is one large bear!

 We continued to watch as it ambled down the riverbank. 

The herd moved with it.

Then it stopped, looked across the river  awhile, and sat down to contemplate.

According to the ranger, this was the reason. The bison was not happy with the approach of the bear and had moved down by the river, into the path of the bear! He said the bears try to avoid bison, unless it's a calf.

Having thought it over, he continued down the river a bit...

...found what he determined a good route to the water...

...and away he went!

Right under the noses of the watching herd.

When past the bison he climbed the bank and continued on his way!

We also needed to be on our way but there was a forest fire that caused the closing of the road we needed to travel. After finding a place to turn around and driving back past the site of the bear-bison encounter, we saw this.

The large bison was swimming across the river! I glanced to the other side of the river and there was the bear! Unfortunately the bear disappeared around a corner, below a bluff and I was not able to get a picture. I'm convinced that bison was still protecting the herd.

Just around the bend we saw these cuties in the river.

Swim away little duckies, there's big trouble coming your way!

Virginia, One

Next job on the list, Broadway, VA, a small town near Harrisonburg. My favorite part of that stop was the place we found to stay. Didn't see anything online so George asked at the mill. Someone mentioned a place about six miles from the mill, to which one of the secretaries replied, "Oh, you don't want to stay at that trashy place!"
Here are a few photos taken at the trashy place....

There was a herd of deer that came to this soy bean field every morning and evening.

And this little puppy in the window had a leash free stay with lots of exploring and she even had bunnies and squirrels to chase. There were only two other RVs at the park, both of which belonged to working men who were gone all day and went home for the weekend.

I loved how the morning mists would drape their gauzy selves over and around the surrounding hills, moving, changing, and then slowly disappearing until the next morning.

I was perplexed as to why my mobile broadband internet service worked just fine in the mornings but not so well as the afternoon progressed.

Hmmm... could this be the cause? Can't say for sure, but these buzzards and ravens gathered on the tower every afternoon!

So the rest of the story regarding the "trashy place" comment came out while we were there. It seems there was a former-family-connection between the lady at the mill and the owner of the RV park and bad feelings remain :(

It turned out to be the prettiest, quietest, most restful trashy place we have ever called home for a time : )

We did some sales work while we were in the area and stumbled upon the farm where Cyrus McCormick worked on developing the McCormick Reaper.

Inside the workshop

There was a small museum in the ground floor, above the workshop, where a reproduction of the McCormick Reaper was on display.

Next to the workshop was a the grist mill.

  The craftsmanship of all the wood parts and equipment really fascinates me. 

I can't look at this and not be reminded of Jesus' sobering words in Matthew 18:1-6

'At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." '

North Carolina, Two

The last NC post got a little long, so this one is for other than our "neighbors".
Close to where we were staying was Cedarock Park, a huge County Park that includes an old homestead. Kerry Isley is the overseer of the park and was there splitting some downed wood, so we got a private tour.

There are numerous outbuildings and a small museum and it was all very interesting and a surprising find out in the country.

Sandy Birch, the old loom brought you to my mind : )

This was the sight of the old grist mill. 

The river was really flowing full because of all the recent rains.

Just because I liked it.

  

One morning we drove over to Durham and 

enjoyed the beautiful campus of UNC.

Of course, I wanted a peek at the sight of some pretty good basketball over the years....

My favorite place was this walkway between the basketball complex and the swimming center, lined with shrubs covered with...

Gardenias!!! 

My favorite flower.

A warm, humid morning, walking down that path surrounded by the most heavenly scent... Oh, what a walk to savor and remember.

At the end of the gardenia area was a grouping of rosemary, 

also fragrant in the warm air!

I think I like their gardeners.

We also strolled through an arboretum on campus.

A good drive out.