Review: Waking Up in the Wilderness

Waking Up in the Wilderness by Natalie Ogbourne

Natalie Ogbourne has been to Yellowstone National Park over 30 times. And not because she lives close to it: she lives 1,000 miles away in Iowa.

Natalie’s parents first took her and her brother to Yellowstone when she was twelve and he was eight, to show them “there was more to life that malls and movies” (p. 30, Kindle version). Natalie wasn’t impressed at first. But eventually she grew to love the place, working there when she was a little older and taking her own family back several times in all seasons.

Natalie shares her experiences and observations in a memoir titled Waking Up in the Wilderness: A Yellowstone Journey. She writes in her prologue, “Waking Up in the Wilderness is more than a story of me and my family doing what we love, in a place we love, with people we love. It’s a sign saying ‘Look at this!’ so readers can experience the park and see what there is to see for themselves” (p. 10).

When I think of wilderness, I think of a barren place. But Natalie helped me realize wilderness is wildness: it can be teeming with life. Though there are touristy areas of Yellowstone, paved roads, shops, and cabins, there is also an abundance of wild flora, fauna, and geological wonders.

Natalie often says, “What’s true on the trail is true in life.” “Creation speaks–more often in a whisper than a shout” (p. 69). Yellowstone taught her many lessons applicable to all of life, but she shares them naturally, not in a “moral of the story” way. Lessons like trusting that your guide knows more than you do when he’s taking you somewhere you don’t want to go, or the conflict between wanting to “take the road less traveled” while also wanting to “feel comfortable and safe.” She notes,”Rarely is this the same road” (p. 96).

I thought one of the most profound experiences came near the end of the book, when Natalie and her father found new signs in Yellowstone, after a couple of people had died there the previous year. In all caps, the sign read: “THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF YOUR SAFETY WHILE CAMPING OR HIKING IN BEAR COUNTRY.” Natalie didn’t want a tame Yellowstone, with everything behind barriers. But how can one navigate in areas where a bear might be around the next bend? “If safety isn’t the point, and fear isn’t the answer, I don’t know what is” (p. 192). I don’t want to spoil the book, but the conclusion she came to had me thinking all afternoon after I read it.

There are funny moments in the book, like when a visitor asks where the animals are kept at night. There are tense moments, when surrounded by a herd of bison or coming uncomfortably close to a bear. And there are poignant moments of insight.

Natalie and I are in the same critique group, so I got a sneak peek at a couple of her chapters. It’s been such a joy to see the book come into being and go out into the world.

The only thing that would have made the book even better is photos. But I imagine that adds another whole layer to the publishing process. She has plenty of pictures at her blog, along with other resources. I also looked up YouTube videos for some of the specific places she mentions.

Though Natalie’s book isn’t overtly Christian, her faith in God’s hand and care is evident throughout, especially the last half of the memoir.

I’m not a hiker, a traveler, or an adventurer, and I prefer indoors to out, but I still enjoyed Natalie’s treks into Yellowstone. I am happy to recommend her book to you.*

*There’s one little word I wish wasn’t there, but I suppose it was understandable in the context.

(Sharing with Bookish Bliss Quarterly Link-Up)

13 thoughts on “Review: Waking Up in the Wilderness”

OOH this sounds perfect for curling up and reading this winter. the only national parks I’ve been to are Acadia National Park (Maine) twice, and Gettysburg National Park . All 3 of these times involved camping/hiking/adventuring with our 2 daughters. I’ve also driven through The Arch of St Louis ….i forget the actual name of that national park.

I hike ALL THE TIME. I’ve been hiking in the wilderness of the Adirondack mountains since I was about 8 yrs old..sometimes on a solo hike if i know the trail is more populous…and although i’ve seen bear scat and moose prints, I’ve never seen either animal up close and personal. And i hike a LOT, as in every week during the summer and about 2-3 times in spring and autumn. I’ve even hiked in winter although usually just once on a very mild day and only in the lower peaks.

Thanks for this review. I don’t have a kindle. I wonder if it’s available in book form.

Barbara Harper on December 11, 2024 at 11:00 am said:

Yes, it’s available in book form. The link under the title goes to the Amazon page, which has the Kindle and print form side by side.

Added this to my TBR, thanks for sharing your review!

I enjoy national parks (within limits!), and I think I’d like this. I agree with the author that the parks in many places aren’t safe (I’ve noticed this too and felt a little shocked and some of the risks since our society generally seems to overdo safety IMO), but they wouldn’t be the same if they were bubble-wrapped, so to speak. How neat that you know the author, and how kind of you to read and review the book. I know that means a lot to her!

Oh, Barbara, how I wrestled with whether to include that little word! It was out of character, to be sure. I talked with christian writer friends. I consulted older women of faith. I warned the very first person to read the very rough first draft–an older outdoorsman Christian camp director. Obviously, I decided to leave it in because, like everything else in the memoir, it was what really happened. Taking it out would have been mostly about making myself look better. And, as you mentioned and my camp-director friend said, “It wasn’t an aw-phooey moment”.

Thanks for this lovely review. While there was much here that did my heart good, this may be my favorite line: When I think of wilderness, I think of a barren place. But Natalie helped me realize wilderness is wildness: it can be teeming with life.

Take heart and happy trails.

Barbara Harper on December 11, 2024 at 3:23 pm said:

I understand about the one word mentioned. I don’t know what I would have said in a similar situation. I started not to mention it, but did because some readers are sensitive to that kind of thing. I know there are different opinions on this from Christian writers all across the spectrum.

I’m so happy to see your book out there and seeming to be doing well! The sections about wrestling between fear and the desire for safety really resonated with me, especially in that section after the bear signs.

This book sounds fascinating. I’ve always been enamored with the national parks and would love to visit every one of them. I’ll have to look out for this book. Thank you for the review.

This book seems right up my alley. I put it on my wish list. We just went to Yellowstone this past fall, it was busy and animals are everywhere! Thanks for the review. Visiting from Talking About It Tuesdays