Whoa, I definitely just hit a bird ::sadface::

Day 4
Sunday, August 28, 2011

Let’s just say it is a heartbreaking thing to have an innocent bird hit your windshield and spin off  realizing the result will be a dead bird in the path of where you have just been. And now I am forced to stare at the spot it left on my windshield for the next 4 hours until we reach Yellowstone. Poor little birdie L From here out, David shall be deemed the bird killer.

We left Rapid City at 5:30am and for the first time this trip I left David to keep himself entertained during the drive while I slept for a few hours in the copilot spot. I will forever claim that it was for his overall benefit because a sleepy Emily, is an unhappy Emily, and an unhappy Emily is no good for anyone. I have now perked up and we are experiencing the ear popping excitement of driving up and down the mountainous terrain of Wyoming. There really is nothing out here. I thought I had seen unpopulated areas before but this brings it to a whole new level. I also have a growing concern for the greenery of the west. It seems the pine trees are much worse off out here than in Cincinnati as they are dying here by the acre…I’m glad Brother told me about the 5 W’s of campsite selection:

Wind
Water
Widow makers
Wanimals
Wow

All these dead pine trees are one bad storm away from tumbling over and making a widow out of anyone in their path. Stupid Pine Beetles, killing off Christmas.

I am looking forward to hiking the mountains here and seeing the wildlife…I am both mentally and physically prepared to face a griz should we cross paths…I have been told that my clotting disorder which led to an interesting hospitalization several years ago is a genetic characteristic that once served a specific purpose. You see, when cave men lived among the dinosaurs, having the ability to clot faster meant when a carnivorous dino would eat off a man’s arm, the man would clot and not die from the vicious encounter…likewise,  this rapid clotting trait which has been passed on to me by my caveman ancestors will protect me should I have a limb ripped off by a bear. So mom, don’t worry about me getting attacked by a bear, I am built to survive! David on the other hand, may not be so lucky with his mutated clotting genes…

Truly, this drive through the mountains is beautiful. I could never manage to describe it in adequate detail, thus, you all must simply come experience highway 14 for yourselves. I promise you will not regret it.