Amber Eyes

I saw the email "Trip To Yellowstone Planned"
And I responded quickly due to phenomenal demand.
I was overjoyed to receive confirmation from Glenn
And now my life won't be quite the same again!

Shopping for all my snow gear was really good fun
Although I was relieved when it was finally done.
And as I sat on my case in order to close it shut
I still wondered whether I had bought enough stuff!

I said goodbye to my pack and my partner Steve
And even then I still found it hard to believe
That I was travelling alone to the United States
Worrying as my connection flight was so late!

DLs from around the world gathered together
And it soon seemed we'd known each other forever.
Cars were sorted and we drove through Montana
Proudly "flying" under the Jan Fennell banner!

An early night was followed by an earlier start
As we all emerged for hot coffee in the car park!
Then we piled into the vans wearing so many layers
We could’ve been mistaken for American football players!!

At 6am, as you can imagine, it was still quite dark
And then we drove through the gate of Yellowstone Park!
As bison sentinels just stood watching in the road
Almost seeming to welcome us to their snowy abode.

As we drove deep into the park under a gorgeous sunrise
The true beauty of the park was seen by new eyes.
Bison, elk, moose and a few longhorn sheep
Were all seen struggling through the snow which was so deep.

Then a shout - "a canine - a wolf? - Just over there"
No - it was a coyote - but we didn't care
He passed by the bus without even a sideways glance
And it was at that moment my heart did a dance!

I had actually made it here to this amazing place
And I could see the pride and joy on Jan's face.
We were about to spend the most incredible four days
Learning so much about wolves and their inspirational ways.

Our first wolf pack sighting was of three on a hill
And none of us minded the snow and biting wind chill.
Our guides Linda and Nathan were just so neat
They brought instant warmers for our hands and our feet!!

We saw another three packs over the following days
And each time we saw them never ceased to amaze.
But to see the Druids relaxing together on a hill
Gave us all that extra special wolf watching thrill.

Jan showed us where she had first seen them too
When the inspiration to her had come flooding through.
And then they all started to howl together as one
The most haunting sound I’ve heard had just begun.

To hear it out in the wild is just so hard to explain
As hearing it on the television - it’s just not the same.
It is so moving it simply takes your breath away
And that memory with me forever will stay.

The magic of the wolves had touched us in a special way
And I was enthralled by one particular “Dark Gray”
I know he has been trying to join the Druids for a while
And when I first saw him, I just had to smile.

He was such a handsome boy, and so strongly desired
By two beautiful black females who he obviously admired!
We watched their story unfold before our very eyes.
Although he kept his distance from the Druids – rather wise!!

When the time came to leave I found it very hard
But will always carry a little Yellowstone in my heart.
I also made some special Dog Listener friends
Who on each other now we know we can depend.

And when I am out walking in the woods near my home
I sometimes stop and wonder if we are really alone
Or perhaps there’s something out there – who on us espies
A handsome proud canine with glowing amber eyes??!!

Louise Downing
15 March 2008