We took a day trip to Yellowstone when Mister’s dad and stepmom were in town a few weeks ago. I went snowmobiling in Yellowstone years ago with my parents and brothers, but the rest of the group hadn’t been before. Since we only had a day and the place is massive, we decided to put priority on seeing Old Faithful and “The Grand Canyon” of Yellowstone.
Why no pictures of Old Faithful, you ask? Once we were sitting there among the crowd I realized that almost everyone, and by that I mean like literally everyone, was holding up their camera or smart phone, looking through the lens. My mom tells me that we saw Old Faithful on our previous Yellowstone trip but I absolutely can’t remember it, so I decided that I wanted to actually see what was happening, not just snap photos. I set my phone and camera aside and just watched.
On a better day, after more sleep sleep, I could tell you a more inspiring tale of our trip, but I’ll never be able to adequately describe the experience of Yellowstone. It has to be one of the most untouched, authentic pieces of our nation. It’s massive. It’s gorgeous. It’s raw and wild and on this trip I came within five feet of a bear and while I wanted to be all yeah, whatevs, just a bear, my heart actually skipped a few beats and my adrenaline soared because holy shit seriously that’s a bear and we’re in his home. I can’t explain Yellowstone properly. It’s worth the trip.
I snapped these next few photos from the car window during a very boring trip out of the park, caught in a huge traffic jam. Traffic? In Yellowstone? Huh, what?
And this is why. These guys are huge, scary, and have very little fear of either persons or cars around them. When the buffalo get on the road, you get off.
I’ll say, my biggest memory of snowmobiling in Yellowstone years ago was the buffalo. I remember coming across packs of them, spread across the road. We had no choice but to ride through the group and I was terrified. Seeing these guys an adult, watching them waltz along… the size OF AN SUV… my adult-self reassured my kid-self that no, it wasn’t just a crazy memory, these bitches are huge.
Afterwards, it occurred to us that we’ve been in Wyoming since May and we’re sort of just taking our presence here for granted. It took us four months to see Yellowstone! What is wrong with us?! You pay $25 for a seven day pass in the park (yes, even if you only need one day). For $50, you can get a yearly pass. Mister and I decided that we need to get a yearly pass and drive through the park in our convertible more often. We may not live here for forever and, if we leave, we’ll never have such a miraculous backyard again.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I absolutely love Yellowstone and the Tetons… Oh! and the Wind Rivers. I could go on and on. So many amazing places and the views are unreal. I grew up some hours from Yellowstone and your pictures have me waxing on the beauties of Wyoming. I would rather spend summers there than anywhere in the world. However, winter… is what prompted us to finally move. So glad I found your blog.
Oh, I’m the worst! I saw your comment then never came back to discuss! I will say, we haven’t yet been through a winter, so I’m not sure if I’ll still love Wyoming just as much this time next year. We just moved here in May so I don’t really know what to expect yet. Unrelated, I *adore* the name Wren.
Whaaa.
Stunning photos! Living in London, it’s easy to forget that such beautiful places exist outside of the pigeon-poo encrusted metropolis we’re squished into. This has def added to our dream of one day driving through North America. I love how America has so many different landscapes- you’re indeed very lucky to live near such a place- although I’m with you on the giant buffalo thing- eeep!
Funny you say that, because London is without a doubt my favorite place in the world. I’ve been there multiple times and I’m desperate to take my husband to visit soon. You’re right though, the landscape out here really is stunning. Sometimes we get caught up in our days and I forget how LUCKY we are to have such scenery in our backyard.
Also, ugh I adooore your blog. I feel like I’ve just had a celebrity visit!
OK, this is probably the third time I’ve been back to look at these photos which means I’m well overdue for a comment
. These pictures are beyond pretty. We’ve benefited from your traffic jam! You should print them out and create some sort of gallery wall or frame grid.
Thanks, Emily! I actually have a few Groupon canvas deals sitting around, so I could get some printed out. Good idea!
WOW, these photos are gorgeous!! Definitely frame-worthy! And the buffalo just ambling along is so funny.
Thank you!! We’ve had snow here for the past few days, so I need to frame one to remind myself that, in the end, Spring always eventually does return.
nice blog post, and great photos . . . I too never go to yellowstone and i live here in montana. It’s a complete rat race. There are many places i use to go that are today over crowded and over run by other photographers and tour operators. It may not be long now until a professional wildlife photographer will have to become a professional tour guide just to compete and stay in business.