Eagles and Prayers

Recently, I wrote about finding the remains of some animal and my terror of getting eaten! After yesterday's hike along the Bear Creek Trail, I am learning that skeletons are common findings in these wild areas. During this three hour trek, we came across eight full ones and countless bone fragments. It was osteology heaven for me! Ranger Shawn kindly reminded me that everything stays in the National Park. =)

The Bear Creek Trail was astoundingly beautiful! It runs parallel to the Yellowstone River and we hiked in silence listening to the rushing water below. One remarkable moment was when Shawn pointed to a large cracked boulder. He nick-named it "split rock" just as a Bald Eagle soared overhead. There are no coincidences in nature. Having spent time on the Passamaquoddy Reservation in northeastern Maine, I was reminded of another place called Split Rock. In this sacred spot, the Passamaquoddy light fires and whisper prayers believing that eagles bring them to heaven to be heard. This tradition has been practiced for thousands of years and Split Rock is still a place where farmers pray for rain during droughts and where frustrated parents go to seek guidance.

I now have my own special place to go for solitude, to reflect, and to think. It will be a place I can sit and draw, read, and write. Split Rock - along the Yellowstone River - will be my own place for prayers. I am certain that eagles will be there to guide them to heaven for me.

This is one of my drawings from this hike: