Yellow Aster Butte

As the alpenglow peeked its way over the butte the first morning; matte black and flat with serenity, my heart sung with the glory of this destination. Throughout our stay, Yellow Aster Butte held its promise of golden hillsides, bursting aromatic fall fruit, sensuous mountain shadows, autumn breezes to keep the bugs at bay and lavish sunshine to fill one's spirit and quell the darkest of northwest winters. Promises one can count on, that cannot be redacted or changed.

My friend Urie and I journeyed up the mountain to marmot whistles and spectacular mountains that blissfully embraced for three days and two nights; providing a place of comfort, beauty and sharing. Our time was filled with well needed rest, plenty of adventurous exploring and stars that lit the sky with a brilliance only a waning moon can deliver.

As I snuggled warm in my sleepy cocoon in the open breeze, peering back into the past of the midnight sky, the whisper of night danced into my spirit and planted its seeds of solace. Such magnificance surrounds us on this planet and we are meant to share in it’s grace and breathe it’s essence with all who are able to see it.

I am no Han-Shan upon a mountain top...kicking shale upon the masses. At Yellow Aster Butte, there will be other travelers seeking the divine in it’s golden landscape abundant with tarns, grassy meadows and majestic circumference of mountains. We shared our camp with other humans beings, beautiful in their imperfections; just as the mountain shared her berries, wild residents and wisdom with imperfect me. Yet, as the crystal rock needs light to gleam and the moss needs the water to sprout, we need one another for true peace and harmony. Within this love of humanity...letting others into our spaces, our minds and hearts, alleviates the very need of escape and delivers the gift of coming home.

Namaste. May your travels be light and your hearts be open in our beautiful Northwest backyard!