This was Jerry’s fourth and Anna Lee’s third trip to Yellowstone. Our visits happened in 1961 (Jerry, before Anna Lee), 1972 (whole family), and 1997 (just us). We had planned to come in the spring of 2012 but the arrival of Bennett change our plans in a wonderful way. In the fifty years since Jerry’s first visit much has changed. What remains is a place that is otherworldly, unbelievably beautiful, and emotionally powerful. We tried to make this 2014 trip as thorough as we could.
The weather did have a say in our plans. Thunder and rain sometimes accompanied us, sometimes delayed us, but we did our best and enjoyed it all. There are eight main areas in the park and we visited them all to different degrees.
We camped at Mammoth Hot Springs. After setting up, we headed out to see waterfalls and find animals. A short hike took us to Wraith Falls,
then we drove by Undine Falls.
After dinner, we went to the Lamar Valley animal seeking and found bison
and pronghorn antelope.
The next morning we braved the off/on rain and went to Mammoth Hot Springs.Terraces We wondered about Mammoth appearing dry. The ranger explained that this was a dry cycle, a natural process, in the springs and little water flowed. He said the steam that we see was from rains 200 or more years ago. Dry or wet, there is color.
The New Blue Spring
Cleopatra’s Terrace
Palette Spring
Minerva
Dead trees make for stark photos
From above the Hot Springs we could see the buildings of old Fort Yellowstone.
This bull snake crossed our path.
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