Things To See Driving West Part 6

I've written about popular sites to see on a road trip out west, and I've written about some hidden gems that you may be able to find in your travels. I am now going to tell you about the best place I have ever been to in this great country of ours, and this will conclude my "Things To See Driving West" series. (Hopefully not forever, as I cannot wait to explore more of the West in the future!)

Yellowstone National Park is by far the most enchanting place I have ever been. For someone who's bread and butter is the wilderness, this popular tourist attraction was and is the pinnacle of my travels in this country. It's natural beauty with features unknown to most areas of the country can make anyone want to stay and never leave. The animal diversity, the awe inspiring hot springs, and of course Old Faithful are just a few of the obvious reasons to visit Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone is located in the Northwest corner of Wyoming, and it spills over into southern Montana. To get there, venture off of Route 90, and take Route 14. This will take you right the East Entrance of the park where you will be greeted by a friendly range at the entrance gates. Here you will pay a nominal fee to gain access to the park and for the map and information that the ranger will give you. Drive on in and enjoy.

There are a very large number of animals that can be seen in Yellowstone National Park. Perhaps the most sought is the bear. I know it was my main goal to see a bear in the wild, but unfortunately, my quest continues. The old man sitting next to me, waiting for Old Faithful to erupt, described the days when bears were a common sight while driving through Yellowstone. He recalled entering the park and within five minutes, seeing a family of bears go strolling across the road in front of his car. He remembered sitting in the very spot that we were, watching bears clamber over the hill beyond the geyser. As he told us stories of his bear encounters on each of his yearly visits to the park, I could hear the disappointment that he was feeling in the changes that have occurred. No longer are bears dominant within the boundaries of the park, and if not in the park, then definitely not elsewhere.

If you should be so lucky as to come across a bear, please be safe by following these guidelines, and cherish every second of it. It may never happen again.

Another illusive animal that would no doubt be a privilege to see is the wolf. Several packs of wolves roam around Yellowstone National Park. Again, I was not lucky enough to see them, however they are there, and are thriving.

If you keep your eyes open and look carefully, there is almost no way you can miss the mountain goats tromping along the rock faces, or the bald eagles perched in the pines. It seems impossible for the goats to stay balanced without plummeting to the valley below, yet somehow they make it look so easy. I suppose that is what we would call evolution! The eagles sit with a watchful eye as onlookers snap photos of our country's symbol. They are truly a magnificent bird of prey.

Deer, elk, and caribou, although fairly widespread throughout the park, do not have near the numbers they have had in the past. Still, to see a herd of Elk grazing the land, or a caribou cooling off in a stream is an unforgettable experience. Being surrounded by these creatures brings about a magical feelings. It is almost like Disney Land for nature lovers like myself.

And of course, there is almost a 100% chance that you will come across the icon of Yellowstone National Park, the Buffalo. Standing tall and strong, they are hard to miss. Within minutes of driving through the East Entrance of the park, you may catch a glimpse of this giant beast out of the corner of your eye. You will without a doubt want to turn your car around and locate the animal once again. If you miss him, don't worry because just around the next corner is a whole bunch of them lounging in the tall grass, relaxing and posing for pictures.

Be sure to respect the rules of the park and keep a safe distance from the wild animals. (Unlike this guy!) They may be somewhat used to the presence of human beings, but these animals are wild and can hurt you. Do yourself a favor and follow the rules! Take full advantage of the photo-ops with these animals. It is easy to put yourself in the foreground to snap a picture of you and the beasts. They may even cause you some inadvertent trouble by blocking the road. It is pretty hilarious to watch the behavior of the bison.

There are countless other animals in Yellowstone National Park. All sorts of birds, rodents, and other larger mammals. If you love animals, this is the place for you!

Driving around Yellowstone Lake, steam rises from it's shores. The smokey clouds rising into the air makes you think that the park is on fire. Until you turn the next corner and see a pull-off, you are worried that you are going to have to turn around and head back in the direction you came. When you step out of the car and head toward the network of wooden bridges, you can not believe the heat that is rising from these pools of water. Don't dare touch them, or you will be badly burned.

Each pool is different. Some are bright green, with reds and oranges around the edges. Some are bubbling, while others sit perfectly still. Some of the springs are as blue as a summer sky, and crystal clear. It is almost as if you are looking into the oceans of the great barrier reef.

With every muscle in your body, you must fight the urge to throw a penny into one of these seismic pools, and wish for something special. They are spectacular to see, and don't smell as bad as you would probably expect!

Perhaps one of the most famous attractions in the entire country is Old Faithful. In case you don't know, it is a geyser that erupts about once an hour, bursting piping hot water into the air. Surrounding Old Faithful are bleacher style benches, and much space to stand or set up a chair to watch this amazing natural wonder. Behind the viewing areas, are stores and a restaurant, where you can grab a bite to eat if you can somehow spare the time away from the beautiful country side.

It has been rumored that Old Faithful isn't all that faithful anymore, but sitting there, you will soon learn that it is just as faithful as it has ever been. One of the several park rangers attending to the crowd at Old Faithful will educate you on their system of how to predict when the geyser will blast. With the use of daily records of many, many years, they have been able to predict, within minutes, the time of eruption. The height and length of each eruption is also different every time. It can blast a range from 100ft to 180ft in the air, and can last anywhere from a minute and a half to six minutes!

While you sit and wait, you will take a ride on a roller-coaster. The geyser is always active and appears to begin its launch, and then it dies down. Without fail, your heart begins to beat faster as excitement sets in, "This is it!" and then disappointment for just a few more minutes, until it happens all over again.

When it finally blasts, you will know it, and will be at a loss of words. The old man sitting next to me describes to me his joy and amazement each time he sees Old Faithful go off. "It never gets old." he tells me. I couldn't agree with him more. It is such a strange occurrence, that if you could, you would want to watch every single time. (Lucky park rangers!) If you are anything like me, that loss of words will turn into just a few words, repeating them over and over. "That's so cool." The excitement has passed, and awe has set in, as you will hear in my voice in the video.

The opportunities in Yellowstone National Park are endless. From hiking to camping, to fishing and horse-back riding, there is something for everyone. Yellowstone is a vacation in and of itself. It is worth every penny of the entrance fee, and is most certainly the most rewarding place I have ever traveled to in this country. Check out the Things To Do section of the Yellowstone National Park's website.

Even if you are just driving through, there is no possible way you will leave empty-handed (so to speak). The incredible views, the inevitable animal encounters, and the amazing park features make Yellowstone National Park a top tourist destination. It is one that should be respected, loved, and added to everyone's list of things to see before they die!