If you’ve been a reader here for a while, you may remember my series of posts about our Scotland trip last September. It was one of my favorite trips of all time.
Our tour guide, Lesley, made a comment one day that barely registered with me (I must have been taking photos at the time), but it stuck in my husband’s mind for months.
Mart asked him, “Have you heard of any places in America that look like this?”
Lesley thought for a moment. “Montana. Some of my clients have said Montana.”
Months later, as we were dreaming about this year’s vacation, Mart mentioned Montana and reminded me of Lesley's comment. We both remarked on how we haven’t seen many of America’s National Parks so maybe it was time to do it?
Turns out, our daughter has wanted to go to Montana for awhile.
Quick as a wink, that became our destination.
But where in Montana? After all, it’s a big, beauty-filled state with two national parks. After some research and more discussion, we settled on Yellowstone. We would fly into Bozeman, go straight to West Yellowstone, spend a few days exploring the Park down in Wyoming, and then head back to Bozeman for a few days before flying home.
We chose dates that would work with our daughter’s schedule and made flight arrangements and VRBO reservations. And then the months-long wait and anticipation began…
Until finally we boarded a plane two weeks ago and headed west.
And yes, so much of what we saw—rivers flowing through green meadows with mountains beyond—did remind me of Scotland’s countryside. It made me stand still, breathe deep, and give thanks.
But there was so much in the park the likes of which I have never seen.
For example, geysers. Yes, I’ve seen a geyser before, but never have I seen anything like Old Faithful. Or the dozens of other geysers we came across.
Or hot springs. I have seen hot springs before, too, but never quite this hot, never quite as many, and never quite as colorful.
Or thermal pools. What? I didn’t even those were a thing. Or mud pots or fumaroles.
Hydrothermal features like these are all throughout Yellowstone. And they add up to a beauty that is strange and spectacular and a little bit spooky.
There’s so much to tell and show you. I’ll be sharing the highlights over the next few weeks. I hope you’ll join me.
In the meantime, here are a couple of questions for you.
What sort of beauty in nature makes you gawk? When was the last time you were filled with awe and/or surprise at what you saw or experienced? Have you ever been to Yellowstone? I would love to know! Leave me a comment below.
