Fire Goddess Park Adventure Series
The World’s First National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. [1]
The fires in the summer of 1988 burnt up thousands of acres due to an extremely dry summer and high winds. Fires had started by lightning, campers, and tree cutters. I could get into the political side of this story and where this fire went wrong but I’m not. All I have to say to that is policies were changed in order to better save our parks. But this is not my story.
We waited 12 years just for that reason. Even after 12 years you could still see the remnants of where the fire burned, it was disheartening. But nature at its best had started the recovery process. Yellowstone was returning to all its glory.
We traveled with my sister and her husband in 2000 and stayed at the Flagg Ranch Resort just outside of the park in a lovely cabin. Excited to get into the park we jumped in our rental car and headed to see Old Faithful in all its grandeur, and it did not disappoint us. Old Faithful erupts give or take every 60 minutes or so and lasts for up to five minutes. I looked it up on the website and its maximum height ranges from 90’ – 184’. Amazing!
As we hiked around the vibrant blue colors of other thermal pools we were entertained by the eruptions that came from them. The smell of the sulfur was not hard to miss. We also noticed signs everywhere saying:
Always walk on boardwalks and designated trails. Keep children close and do not let them run on boardwalks.
Do not touch thermal features or runoff.
Swimming or soaking in hot springs is prohibited. More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone’s hot springs.
Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.
Do not throw objects into hot springs or other hydrothermal features.
Toxic gases may accumulate to dangerous levels in some hydrothermal areas. If you begin to feel sick while exploring one of our geyser basins, leave the area immediately. [2]
Another sign that I took a picture of said “Dangerous Ground… in thermal areas the ground may be on a thin, crust above boiling hot springs or scalding mud. There is no way to guess a safe path; new hazards can bubble up overnight, and some pools are acidic enough to burn boots…” Need I say more?
Hmmmm… I started to realize that we were exploring a potential volcanic area and suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
Come to find out that beneath Yellowstone is one of the largest active volcanoes. Now grant it the last eruption was some 2 million years ago but walking around and seeing the bubbling steaming pools of water made me think it may be time for the next one. I am no scientist, just a very much situational awareness kind of Fire Goddess.
Getting past all that and my fears of the volcano erupting…
We stood on the Continental Divide separating our continent’s river systems that flow east and west.
We saw herds of Bison coming down the Mary Mountain trail with their young and continuing on their journey crossing the Yellowstone River. Big herds… not just a few. And I always ask the question what’s the difference between Bison and Buffalo. Bison have large humps at their shoulders and bigger heads than buffalo. They also have beards, as well as thick coats which they shed in the spring and early summer. Another simple way to tell a buffalo from a bison is to look at its horns. Plus, Buffalo are native to Africa and South Asia. Who knew? Yellowstone is the only place in the United States where Bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times. Again… who knew?
Huge Elk and Moose just hanging out. Well, the Moose was kinda acting like Bullwinkle, a dim-witted and lovable cartoon moose that aired in the early 60’s. Running here… running there… back and forth… very entertaining.
The park offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 established campsites, some even on Yellowstone Lake.
Fields of colorful wildflowers even in the summer.
Amazing sunsets lit up the entire sky with a variety of colors.
The rivers that flow through the park are crystal blue and the roar of the waterfalls abundant and absolutely breath taking.
The park is also known for Grizzly Bears and Wolves but did not encounter either. I think I’m okay with that. It is good to remember the animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be, keep your distance.
What got me thinking about Yellowstone is a friend of ours has decided to take up employment in the park. Although I am excited for him and his new adventures I will be more excited when he moves on to the next one, which we are hoping to be Death Valley or the Everglades.
We will miss seeing his smiling face, so it will be up to us to stock him so once again we will have our enjoyable conversations. And just a thought my friend as you read this… we hope you will share your stories and your experiences in this beautiful park and beyond. Oh yeah… and your right buddy… they are Bison and not Buffalo.
Exploring our great country and its national parks is an honor and a privilege. Would I have gone there if I knew what I know now? Yes, absolutely, I would. It’s beautiful, nature and wildlife at its finest.
Fire Goddess out… for the moment.
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