Like most people, I am passionate about my human family, my animal family and my friends. Beyond that, I don't think it would surprise most people, even those blog readers who have never met me in person, that my passions are for fabric art, photography and the environment - not necessarily in that order on any given day. One of the many ways I express the latter is by serving on the Board of Wyoming Outdoor Council (WOC). This weekend was the date for one of the group's quarterly meetings so Ken and I got in the car and drove to Rock Springs. WOC has designated certain parts of the state as "heritage landscapes". These are areas of particular environmental concern in which we feel protections are necessary to ensure the lands are preserved for wildlife or wildland habitat for future generations. We are making an effort to hold our meetings in the areas of these special places so that board members from all over the state can get a sense of the incredible values they contain.
As we headed south last Friday morning it was sunny and a wonderful 84 degrees. Then just past Cody we saw a large, dark storm cloud moving in and all of a sudden we found ourselves in the most violent hail storm I have ever witnessed! The hail was only about dime sized but it was relentless and plentiful. Driving was not an option so we pulled off the side of the road as did the vehicles behind us. The temperature dropped instantly to 40 degrees and the land became white. After about 20 minutes things calmed down and we went slowly on our way until the hail melted and the day brightened once again.
We were able to take a great group hike of several hours to a lookout point that gave us a vista of vast lands of incredible scenic and wildlife value.
The flower to the left is sulfur paintbrush.
The view from the lookout was vast and breathtaking.
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