going to yellowstone
the grand tetons
Jackson Hole. Left for Yellowstone via Grand Tetons. What hasn’t been written about the massiveness and beauty of those mountains? Enough said. I was taking too many photos, my companion was viewing with her mouth open, and our tour guide sister was watching as an expectant parent waits for the reaction on children on Christmas morning. Still, today, I’m thinking, “Was that real? Did I actually see mountains, and clouds, and hugeness, and snow, and lakes, and streams, and such opulence of nature? Yes, I did.
grand prismatic
About a week before we arrived some mindless humans left the boardwalk of the paths that lead through geysers and geothermal pools of water to take selfies. These three males walked to the edge of Grand Prismatic Springs, a gorgeous, National Geographic favorite photographed spot. Immediately, they posted their success on social media. Yellowstone Park rangers and police believe their warnings to stay on the boardwalk are important. They arrested the intruders. Hearing of this risky act, the idea of a book titled Yeah, They Did That was born. Photos with short explanations would comprise the content of this book. Each time we saw someone doing something stupid, which was often, it was a note for our book. Big problem though. People tend to commit those acts of thoughtlessness too quickly for a camera to catch.
bison jam
The traffic through the park was steady, but not time consuming, until we were stopped completely. For a few minutes, why was the question. Then the answer appeared. A group of Bison, mamas, babies, aunts, sisters—don’t think any daddies, brothers, or uncles were with them—were ambling in the opposite lane toward us. Tour guide sister was ecstatic because this meant a close-up of this massive animal. I understand a human’s tendency to get too close, try to touch, or even rescue an abandon Bison. Close proximity renders a false Bison disposition. They appear docile, calm, not much of a thinking being, nice. Nothing could be more incorrect. Behind the animal parade was a park ranger driving slowly, deliberately keeping public (people) and private (Bison) separate.
