Rising above the low-lying clouds as the light of day strikes the sky, Emigrant Peak can be seen throughout most of the Paradise Valley. This remarkable valley stretches from Livingston to the northern border of Yellowstone National Park and this mountain casts it's broad shadow from it's height of 10,915 feet. On my way to Yellowstone bright and early, I was able to enjoy this spectacle as I traveled southbound on Highway 89 to Gardiner, the original gate to the park. Despite it being somewhat of a grey morning, the contrast between the green valley bottom and the blue of the mountains made for a beautiful Monday morning drive.
A little story behind this chapel which now resides in the small town of Emigrant at the base of the peak. The sign out front says 'Meditation Point', but also goes by Paradise Valley Chapel and to locals and the last remaining two builders it is called the Wayside Chapel. When this chapel was built over 40 years ago, it was built about 20 miles north of the Northern Entrance and was to serve as a place of meditation overlooking the Yellowstone River or prayer for any denomination or creed which entered the small 10 by 14 chamber, as well as an overnight shelter for the weary traveler as needed. Numerous stories have been written down on more than 4,800 pages of the chapel's logbook from travelers afar to locals seeking a moment of solace, and many of those short stories are quite touching. To me, this small chapel is one of many representations of the love and compassion that Montanans show to each other and to the world.