Are there even words to describe Yellowstone National Park? I am not sure. The words I know seem simplistic and inadequate.
Old Faithful
The sights to be seen at this gigantic nature preserve are unique. The vistas are beyond breathtaking. The geysers, hot springs, mineral deposits, steam vents, boiling mud and crystal blue ponds so close together astounds the mind. The waterfalls throughout the park are majestic. The hot water waterfall sprewing mineral rich waters seems unreal. While the lower falls coming from the Yellowstone River at the edge of the multicolored Grand Csnyon is stunning as the water’s spray glistens in the sunlight.
As we waited for Old Faithful geyser to erupt, with thousands of others, we could feel the excitement build as tiny jets of swater realeased in the air. I could hear the rumble of the ground. A few minutes before the main eruption began I felt a slight tremble in the ground beneath me. Then behold a stream of atomized water flew in a tower above us! We saw four other geysers erupt during our day at the park.
Bison crossing a river.
Then there are the wildlife: bear (we saw the flash of one along the side of a road); bison (we saw three groups totaling over 100 bison, as well as many single bison relaxing in the park); elk (one hiding in the trees); deer (another watching us from the woods); pronghorn deer and a beaver happily swimming.
Yellowstone River and falls in the Grand Canyon.
I think my favorite was the Lower waterfall on the Yellowstone River that leads into the Grand Canyon. What an impressive site! The colors of the canyons walls are so unusual.
Now that I know the park is situated above a giant magma field and that a large section of the park is a gigantic caldera, I am even more intrigued by this treasure. I can see why the first explorers were so insistent that it become a National Park. The first one so proclaimed.
The Lobby of Old Faithful Lodge
The lodges and the hotels are also memorable. Old Faithful Lodge with it’s wooden logs and 76 foot ceilings. The Lake Lodge in its bright yellow, recalling the opulent travel of the wealthy in the 19th century.
We have so much more to see, but not enough time. We have to come back!!! Luckily we are now officially seniors and we were able to purchase a lifetime pass for the parks for only $10. They soon rise steeply in price. Getting them in Wyoming was an added bonus.
When I return I plan to spend two nights in the park. There is so much we did not get to see. This taste of Yellowstone has me Yearning for more! To be honest, seeing Yellowstone ALMOST eclipsed the Eclipse!
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zicharonot 
We did Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks five years ago—so I’ve been enjoying all your photos and thoughts as they revive my own memories. I loved both places, and we had some amazing hikes. But for me the highlight was seeing wolves! Glad you are having a great trip!
Did not see wolves. Sigh. I will blog about Grand Teton. It is next. I meant to do it after the eclipse one, but Yellowstone was so unique.
Yes, it’s truly a wonder. We spent three days there and still feel like there was more to see. We hired a special guide to find wolves. It was well worth it! We were afraid to hike alone after all the bear warnings. We have a funny story about bear spray—someday I should write it up.
I don’t think I would hike alone there. We had a guide for both parks. It made a big difference.
We did hike a few places alone but not really “alone.” We went on trails where there were other people and clinged closely to them! At times we sang songs to keep away the bears. Fortunately we only saw bears from a distance—quite a distance!
There was one in the side of the road. A ranger was there not letting people get too close. We were in our bus, but the guide and I both saw a black ‘shadow’ moving in the trees.
We live fairly close to Yellowstone and yet we’ve never taken our children. I’ve been once as a teenager. It is beautiful. We really should take out kiddos!
Absolutely!!! It is amazing.
Very nice.
Thank you.