Turbowolf
30th of January 2005 (Sun), 10:09
The valley is dead quiet, almost deserted. A chill in the air doesn't
come close to describing the frozen pre-dawn conditions around me,
where the sky is barely beginning to glow a deep blue. It's still too
dark to scan the ridges with a scope or binoculars, or for that matter
read my watch, thus all I can do is listen. I hear nothing but the
gurgle of a small stream while it passes around Soda Butte off to my
left. When the morning breeze calms, a slight sulfurous odor settles
in, reminding me of the polluted air I will too soon be returning to
on the coast.
Suddenly, from a short distance across the valley, comes the howl of a
single wolf. Another joins the first, her notes adding to create a
soul-piercing duet. It was magical, with barely a tint of alpenglow in
the sky, highlighting the mountains. Each second slowed to hours while
the wolves serenaded me, their sole listener. Ever so slowly the light
increased, and then I sighted the pack. From a small ridge the first
two continued to howl, and as if on cue, the rest of the pack added
their voices, one at a time until a dozen of them had entwined their
voices in song. The wolves captured my heart on first sight, now they
had succeeded in taking my soul, my essence. Slowly each of the newer
wolves ended their song, with the first two finally stopping together
as the sun peaked above the ridge line. It was time to leave, and
looking across the valley, the wolves seemed to agree. The lead black
wolf, followed by the alpha grey, made their way west, showing me the
path home. If they only knew that they were really directing me to the
future, to a time I can return to this enchanted land.
The only thought running through my mind while driving home …
Sell everything I own, then move to Yellowstone.
come close to describing the frozen pre-dawn conditions around me,
where the sky is barely beginning to glow a deep blue. It's still too
dark to scan the ridges with a scope or binoculars, or for that matter
read my watch, thus all I can do is listen. I hear nothing but the
gurgle of a small stream while it passes around Soda Butte off to my
left. When the morning breeze calms, a slight sulfurous odor settles
in, reminding me of the polluted air I will too soon be returning to
on the coast.
Suddenly, from a short distance across the valley, comes the howl of a
single wolf. Another joins the first, her notes adding to create a
soul-piercing duet. It was magical, with barely a tint of alpenglow in
the sky, highlighting the mountains. Each second slowed to hours while
the wolves serenaded me, their sole listener. Ever so slowly the light
increased, and then I sighted the pack. From a small ridge the first
two continued to howl, and as if on cue, the rest of the pack added
their voices, one at a time until a dozen of them had entwined their
voices in song. The wolves captured my heart on first sight, now they
had succeeded in taking my soul, my essence. Slowly each of the newer
wolves ended their song, with the first two finally stopping together
as the sun peaked above the ridge line. It was time to leave, and
looking across the valley, the wolves seemed to agree. The lead black
wolf, followed by the alpha grey, made their way west, showing me the
path home. If they only knew that they were really directing me to the
future, to a time I can return to this enchanted land.
The only thought running through my mind while driving home …
Sell everything I own, then move to Yellowstone.