Yellowstone National Park

Thursday, August 6, 2015

I didn’t get up early enough on Thursday and I paid for it. Yellowstone is the mother of all national parks in the United States. Over 250 square miles, the park is by far the most popular around and with that title also comes the busiest. I made my way through the entrance way to the park at a snail’s pace and visions of old Yogi Bear cartoons came to mind. Even back in the late ’50s someone had a sense of humor about the amount of people that come through the park as I see cartoon families pressing their faces against car windows to try and catch a glimpse of that bear and his picnic baskets.

I came through the western entrance and I didn’t go far before seeing my first few bison. That and a bear were what I was hoping to see along my travels and it took until then to knock the first off of my list. I snaked through the park heading north to try and get a backcountry pass for the next few days. I stopped off at Beyrl Springs and the Norris Geyser Basin and saw bubbling hot springs of pastel colors. I finally made it to the Albright Visitors Center but unlike Yosemite it was too late for the pass I so wanted. So a little disappointed I decided to check out Mammoth Hot Springs. I hiked my way to the top amidst throngs of people from all over the world.

From the hot springs, I turned and headed back the way I had come. I made my way down to the Lower Geyser Basin and the Fountain Paint Pots. Again the color of the water was brilliant. Pinks and pastels as I hiked the boardwalk keeping my feet off of the delicate ground. Yellowstone is a volcano after all. I headed further south wanting to try and catch a glimpse of Old Faithful. Passing more bison and even a few moose I made it before sunset and stayed to watch the powerful geyser shoot water high into the air. I stayed longer than I should have but the show was well worth it. The sun started its descent over the park as I made my way to the southern exit. I was headed to the Grand Tetons and a long ride (unbeknownst to me at the time) to Pinedale, WY about an hour and a half east of Jackson.

A bison grazes near Mount Haynes inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Mount Haynes is reflected in the Madison River inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Wildflowers bloom at the base of Mount Haynes inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Beyrl Spring inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

The Norris Geyser Basin inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Yellowstone encompasses over 250 square miles in Wyoming and along with that numerous mountains whose peaks are usually in the 10,000 foot elevation range.

Devil’s Thumb, part of the Mammoth Hot Springs inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Mammoth Hot Springs inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Yellowstone encompasses over 250 square miles in Wyoming and along with that numerous mountains whose peaks are usually in the 10,000 foot elevation range.

My very own Honda commercial at Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone encompasses over 250 square miles in Wyoming and along with that numerous mountains whose peaks are usually in the 10,000 foot elevation range.

The Lower Geyser Basin inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

The Fountain Paint Pot inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Clepsydra Geyser inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

A bison grazes near one of the many geysers inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

A woman hugs her son as they watch a bison graze near one of the many geysers inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

A female moose grazes inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

Old Faithful inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Thursday, August 6, 2015.

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