Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

I was following someone with Ontario license plates through the Jasper National Park today. I abruptly had to jam on the brakes as my ‘lead car’ stopped to pull out their camera to take a picture or two of the mountain goats that were crossing the highway. At first I was a little bit upset but then chuckled as I realized that this occurrence doesn’t happen for these folks on a regular basis.

I forget that for the thirtieth time this summer, I am forced to trek through the majestic Rockies in order to get to my final destination. I seem to have forgotten the splendor that these large tectonic plates provide to each person. I am unfazed by the true beauty that these ‘ladies’ possess.

I remember driving through the Rockies for the first time; my breath was literally taken away. I couldn’t believe the sheer size of the mountains and that there was so much beauty just waiting to be discovered. I contemplated how long they’d be there and just what had to happen to make them the size that they are. I wonder about all of the wildlife that exists deep in the forest of trees that grow as cover for the mountains. I wondered if dinosaurs were still around, how they would compare in size. Would it just be a quick little jaunt for a T-Rex? Would the valleys be comparable to a brontosaurus? I think at this point I am more in awe of the size of these things and try to find some sort of comparison so that I can understand just how large these things are.

I continue to drive and pass by a lake or two; I try to think of a name for the deep but transparent colour of green that is sitting at the base of the mountain waiting for a bird to make its nest here. It’s not quite emerald, but it’s not hunter green either…I call it ‘Mountain’ green. Because there is no other colour like it and how can you describe something so beautiful to someone who’s never seen it before.

As I keep actually looking at the mountains and all their majesty I start to think that maybe that tourist was right after all and we shouldn’t take for granted the beauty that the mountains hold. Instead of grumbling about the animals crossing the highway and adding another 15 minutes to our trip; we should be taking in all that the mountains have to offer. After all not everyone gets to see such a beautiful sight on an eight hour journey multiple times a year.