Why Die? Why Not Wyoming?

So Wyoming has these road signs that say "Why Die?" and "Think!". I think that they mark where crashes killed people, because at times there is a cluster of the signs in one spot. Montana marks such places with a small, white cross on a short pole, sometimes with clusters of the crosses mounted on one pole. In New Mexico, people build small flower covered crosses and shrines. Seeing them as we pass definitely reminds me of memento mori. Remember the you will die; we all will. It's the one promise of life. It reminds me to live every moment, because it could be the last time. The last road trip, the last coffee. Every time I do something, it could be the last time. We mostly don't notice the last time we do something. I don't remember the last time I hugged my Grandma, or the last time that I slept in my childhood bedroom. When I do know that I'm doing something for the last time, it seems more vivid. Like the last time I ate at a favorite restaurant when I knew it was closing forever; the food tastes better, the people laugh louder, the company makes a big impression. Everything feels more. I am trying to notice that feeling every time I do anything, like it could be the last time.

Why Die?

Think!

The Montana version.

South Dakota Before the Crowds of Summer.

We are here early, and many of the places we could camp with our trailer are still closed. Many spots don't open until May 1. It has made things more difficult, but I'm not sorry we came at this time of year. All the attractions are quiet and empty. We've enjoyed having National Parks to ourselves (at least it feels that way). I knew that because our timing was dictated by the total eclipse, we could have chancy weather, and we have, but it all worked out for the best, because South Dakota is amazing!

We moved through the state from East to West, and after leaving the family farm near Vermillion, we went directly towards Badlands National Park, with a stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site first. Our weather for exploring the park was perfect, cool but sunny. We only did one short hike, but we stopped at every pullout all the way through the park to the city of Wall. I especially loved the big views, big prairie dog towns, and big bison. As we left the park, several of the bison blocked our road out and posed for photos at the park entrance sign. Perfect.

A quick and corny stop.

Our campsite in Chamberlain, SD.

Out our back window.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Looking good in Badlands.

Every view a masterpiece.

Traveling Into My Ancestral Lands

My father's family is concentrated in one geographic area, but my Mom's family is spread out over the US, especially in California and Oklahoma, but I also have maternal relatives in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Oregon, and South Dakota, plus I was born in Kansas. As we left Texas and the total eclipse behind, we took a path through some of the places where I have family history and relatives. Our first stop was my Mom's early hometown, Chickasha, Oklahoma.

I missed the welcome to Oklahoma sign.

The Eclispe and Beyond

We watched the Total Eclipse from d'Hanis, Texas. Russ found a ruin that was a public park, St. Dominic Catholic Church. It made for some lovely photos, but we didn't get to see the eclipse, because it was completely cloudy the entire time. Of course, it did get dark, but now I feel like I need to travel again to see another one.

The ruins of St. Dominic's

Waiting for the eclipse.

Trip to the Total Eclipse: Connecting the Spots, Aztec to San Antonio

We stayed in Aztec for twelve days: did some chores; visited with family; celebrated Easter; ate at local restaurants; walked the local park. My favorite day was the one where we (I didn't do anything but take photos) burned the irrigation ditch to clear out the old weeds and overhanging plants. We also burned that large piles of downed trees and weeds that have collected since last year.

Excellent conditions, damp but not windy.

Insuring a full, controlled burn.