IIf
there ever was a vacation destination where you could get an education
and have a load of fun, Yellowstone Park is it. The entire park
is a uniquely delicate balance of nature and technology, of wilderness
management and conservation.
Located in the northwestern part of Wyoming, Yellowstone offers
an unforgettable experience, whether you navigate the park on your
own or opt for one of the numerous guided tours that are available.
Of course there is Old Faithful, one of the biggest attractions
of the vast park, which erupts every 92 minutes and within about
four minutes of its daily posted schedule. There is also the historic
Old Faithful Inn, which opened in 1904 and serves up not only world-class
accommodations but also wonderful food. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel
(nestled on the edge of the tepid waters of Yellowstone Lake) is
another historic hotel reminiscent of the Hotel Del Coronado in
San Diego, but with a more rustic edge.
Within the vast borders of the park are bubbling mud pots, 300 geysers,
emerald- and sapphire-colored boiling hot pools, dramatic waterfalls,
dazzling sunsets… and then there is the wildlife. Yellowstone
is truly a zoo without bars. And you won’t need to drive in
the park more than a few minutes to have your very own “Wild
Kingdom” encounter. Be prepared with your video camera and
extra space on your digital camera!
If there was a “bingo board” of animals you are most likely
to see in the park, it would look like this: eagles, bison, bluebirds,
elk, moose, deer, coyotes, gray wolves, pelicans, squirrels and,
occupying the center square of the bingo board is a bear named Celebrity.
You will see Celebrity making an almost nightly appearance on the
upper ridges of the north side of the park. It is tempting to get
close to the numerous animals because they almost seem to appear
and “pose” on cue. But make no mistake, these are wild
animals in their natural environment, and their space and habitat
must be preserved and respected.
Although you could probably do a whirlwind tour of Yellowstone in
a full, two-day weekend, four or five days will allow you more time
to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, attend some ranger-hosted seminars,
and visit all of the unique geological and thermal attractions.
Oh, and you just might need to figure in a couple of extra hours
for the occasional bison-caused traffic jam… we got stuck twice!
