Planning and anticipation can only partially prepare for the thrill of visiting Yellowstone National Park for the first time. We entered through the traditional entrance, stopping to get pictures of historic Roosevelt Arch. We were so excited!
Then we passed what seemed like miles of empty land. It was beautiful in a windswept prairie sense, but where was the familiar Yellowstone stuff? Where were the wildlife and Old Faithful? Where were Yellowstone Falls and Mammoth Hot Springs?
Finally, the first Visitor Center, Mammoth Hot Springs lived up to its name, looming over the center. We saw an introductory video with wildlife and scenery which was fun to watch, but was still not in person.
We rode alongside the Yellowstone River passing through Hayden Valley when we first glimpsed a herd of bison. They were grazing in and along the river, and starting to work their way up the far hillside. We pulled our car over to watch in awe and take numerous pictures. The effect reminded me of the scene from Jurassic Park when the scientists first see the dinosaurs grazing in and by the lake, a combination of peaceful and amazing rolled together. Our wildlife encounters during our stay included numerous bison elk, and deer, along with grizzly bears and a bald eagle.
The scenery is also unique, with half the park being in an ancient caldera to provide an isolated and otherworldly feeling. The geysers (Old Faithful!) and hot springs were fascinating, and numerous waterfalls off the main road provided fun and surprising sights. Our lodge sat by Yellowstone Lake with mountains in the background. We had no TV or phone service, so we could focus on the park.
When we packed up and left Yellowstone, we took unforgettable memories and valuable lessons. First, Yellowstone is not Disney World. The wolfpack is not cued to appear when you want to see them, and the animals do bite. Allow time to pass to have wildlife and features come on display. Second, Yellowstone is huge. We had to allow plenty of time to get to the various sights and navigate wildlife-instigated traffic jams. Finally, we were very impressed with the Park Rangers. These public servants provide informative and fun talks on a wide variety of topics. As much as we experienced at Yellowstone National Park, we agreed that we could enjoy returning for an encore visit.