By: Peggy L Henderson
Growing up in Germany, we usually had a white Christmas.
When my family moved half-way across the world to sunny California, Christmas
no longer included snow. It was replaced with warmth and sunshine. To this day,
I miss a white Christmas.
This year, a few weeks before Christmas, I received the most
wonderful gift from a friend, which fulfilled two of my greatest wishes – to
experience winter in Yellowstone, and to have a white Christmas. While I didn’t
actually spend Christmas in Yellowstone, the week before was close enough.
For everyone who knows me, I love Yellowstone! It’s why I
wrote a 13-book series time travel/western historical series set there, after
all. In all my years of visiting the park, this was the first year I got to
visit and experience it in winter. I returned three days ago from the most
amazing trip I’ve ever had, and came away with a greater understanding of why I
chose to write a time travel series set in this amazing place.
When I was asked before why a time travel and why
Yellowstone, the second part of the question has always been easy to answer.
The first part – the time travel part – was a bit harder to pinpoint. “The
premise always intrigued me”, was my standard answer.
Experiencing Yellowstone in winter suddenly made it clear to
me what the answer to that first part of the question is. Nothing beats the
solitude and quiet of a winter experience in the park, when there are few
people around, and when one can stand and gaze out at the magnificent landscape
and features without standing elbow to elbow with other people. It’s easy to
imagine what it must have been like to be the first person to experience this
magical place when you’re surrounded not by people talking on their cell phones
when they should be enjoying the natural splendors before them, but by the
peaceful sounds of nature.
So, for me, this Christmas will always be special
for this
wonderful gift I received to see Yellowstone in winter, and to have a magical
pre-Christmas winter-wonderland experience.
Comment for a chance to receive a signed paperback copy of
my Christmas stories set in Yellowstone and in related Grand Tetons, A
Yellowstone Christmas and Teton Season of Joy. (make sure to
leave your contact information in your comment)
Peggy L
Henderson
Western
Historical and Time Travel Romance
“Where Adventure Awaits and Love is Timeless”
Award-Winning and Best-Selling Author
of:
Yellowstone Romance Series
Teton Romance Trilogy
Second Chances Time Travel Romance
Series
Blemished Brides Western Historical
Romance Series
Wilderness Brides Historical Romance
Series
I am so happy your 2 wishes were fulfilled. There must be no better place on Earth than Yellowstone to experience the majesty of winter and the profound meaning of Christmas than Yellowstone.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the pictures you added to your post.
It does seem an odd combination to write time travel and Yellowstone Park. But hey, time travel all by itself is odd and I love it. LOL
I hope you have a joyful Christmas, Peggy.
I hope you had a great Christmas, Sarah! I'm glad you liked the post and photos! It was hard to choose which ones to post, I have so many. Time Travel and Yellowstone made for a great combination! :D
DeleteMerry Christmas. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the wonderful photos of Yellowstone.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gini
DeleteBeautiful photos, but they make me shiver to looking at all that snow. I do appreciate the beauty of it--on a screen.
ReplyDeleteI see your point of feeling like the pioneers did, when first gazing upon land that looks new and fresh and still virgin.
Your books have such a wonderful premise. You are talented and true to your writing life.
Thanks. Celia
Thank you, Celia.
DeleteWhat a wonderful present for you! The pictures are gorgeous. I am so very happy you got to have this experience. So many of us think your Yellowstone, Teton and the rest of your book series are the very best!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie! And yes, it was a great gift!
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ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you and what a great friend! I grew up in the foothills of the Smokies and we almost always had snow during Christmas break. One yr we were out of school from the first of Dec to the end of Jan because of snow. Merry Christmas Peggy! my email is belladaz@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a lot of snow days! :D Merry Christmas!
DeletePeggy, thank you for sharing Your beautiful Yellowstone winter adventure with us. I'm happy you received such a wonderful gift. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Lynn
DeleteI was so excited the Mr. H gave you this amazing gift. The awesome pictures and notes you sent to us on your Facebook page made me hear the smiles you must of had while writing to us. After reading Aimee's journal today, you can hear the experience in your voice. I can't wait to hear more of the stories!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm the unknown person. Lol. (Emily Campbell)
DeleteThanks, Emily! And I'm glad you've "revealed" yourself :D
DeleteYour friend and Mr. H actually gave all of us a very special gift. Not many of us will ever be able to go to 'Yellowstone in the Winter' but we got to experience it through your words and camera lens. It was true joy to open up Facebook and see what you had been doing and seeing. We knew you were thinking of us and wanted us to be part of your adventure. I'm looking forward to a book that incorporates your new understanding of winter in Yellowstone!
ReplyDeletehahaha... I hope to write that book someday. Thanks, Diann! :D
DeleteMerry Yellowstone Christmas, Peggy! You are such an intrepid writer to brave the ice and snow. I know your experiences will bring awesome details and realism to your wonderful romances! Dixiedutchgirl@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI've written a few stories set in winter (both my Christmas stories), and I know I can do much better now. It's always great to bring personal or first-hand experience into a story.
DeleteMerry Christmas! I grew up in Tacoma, WA with views of Mt. Rainier, Commencement Bay, the Olympic & Cascade Mtn. ranges. We lived above Pt. Defiance Park & when I was little they had a riding stable. My dad would take us down to go riding on wonderful trails throughout the park. When we would emerge at one of the lookouts over Puget Sound I always imagined what it looked like when Lewis & Clarke first explored. I made up scenarios in my head of encounters with the local Native Americans. Terrific childhood & wonderful memories. Keep writing your wonderful stories!
ReplyDeleteWe just visited Mt Rainier for the first time in September. It was gorgeous there!
DeleteMerry Christmas Peggy. Thank you for sharing your photos they are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Webba. Glad you enjoyed the photos!
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ReplyDeletePeggy your pictures are beautiful. Have a very Merry Christmass.
ReplyDeleteYour trip experiences winter just the way I like it. I've been saying for years
"I will visit winter when I am good and ready"
It usually visits once a year whether I'm ready or not.
lkloggie@gmail.com
I grew up where we had winters but not as cold as what I experienced a few weeks ago. I was very worried when the weather forecast said it would be in the negatives, but it was actually not that bad! I guess it depends on the right clothes! At one point, even in negative temps, all I wore was a t-shirt with a long-sleeve shirt, and a sweatshirt. It kept me warm enough for about 20 minutes, then I needed my coat.
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