Scalding fountains and multi-colored pools were only a few of the magnificent sights I was encountering. Yet the fountains weren’t man-made, and the multi-colored pools weren’t the work of any earthly artist. I was in an other-worldly place; a hot, barren moon on earth. The memories from those long, wandering days still play like movies as they run through my head. Never have I encountered so much raw beauty.
3rd PLACE 2014 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
The mirrored sky
In nature’s hot tub
Endless depth
My senses were blasted with hot sulfurous air as I climbed over the hill. The smell was as strong as Dad had warned me from his childhood experiences. I was about to see my first hydrothermal features with my family and create my own childhood memories. And ohhhh, was I ever so anticipating it! I stepped out onto the crowded trail over the white, mineral-encrusted ground. Dangerously hot, bubbling pools gasped and gurgled, fed with water heated by underground magma. So-called paint pots—thick muddy pools tinted pink and gray with iron oxide—formed goopy bubbles on the surface bigger than tennis balls that popped and splattered. The geysers were mostly inactive at the moment, disguised as quiet, clear pools. Yet beneath the surface, I knew they were only biding their time and collecting water, just waiting to erupt. Steam from the huge Excelsior Geyser blew over us, enveloping us in almost unbearably hot steam clouds. The smell, the heat and the power of the Lower and Midway Geyser Basins were awe-inspiring. I felt privileged just to experience it.
Scorching droplets
Fizz upwards–
Sunburned crowd
No vacation to Yellowstone National Park was complete without a trip to the Old Faithful area, though it was even more crowded than the rest of the park. It was a rolling sea of tourists swept in from all over the world and sailing right though Yellowstone. Tourists in the grand yet rustic Old Faithful Inn, tourists filling the nearby geyser boardwalks, and tourists crowding around Old Faithful’s magnificent display every 90 minutes. Exclamations were made, pictures were snapped, and away whizzed the tourists. A geyser erupted. Quick! Quick! Rush to the scene. Take a selfie! Tourists, tourists, tourists. I watched them. They all seemed to be having the time of their lives….
Moonscape on earth
In the stillness
I drink beauty
8:56 p.m. I was sitting on a deserted boardwalk in the twilight, with no one except my family and Old Faithful’s distant towering spray framed against the backdrop of a moonlit sky. All was quiet except the whoosh of erupting water. Around us on Upper Geyser Hill were other thermal wonders—I remember Anemone Geyser the best. It was a turquoise pool that would erupt every 7-10 minutes, sending water just a few feet in the air, then draining itself completely down the hole in its center with a gurgle. Like scattered jewels, other pools had rings of burnt orange, yellow, copper and deep ocean blue, which were formed by heat resistant bacteria. Virtually alone, except for the people dearest to me, I slowed down and absorbed the gems of beauty around me like never before.
Glib excitement
Or deep breath of wonder
The tourist’s choice
I wonder: did all the tourists leave Yellowstone like I did, with quiet moments that touched the soul? Anyone who travels has a choice about how they will let their trip impact them. My challenge to you is this: do we absorb the beauty in our surroundings, or do we just post it on social media?
I will hold those memories the rest of my life.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Moonscape Beauty”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
Hi webmaster, commenters and everybody else !!! The blog was absolutely fantastic!
Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!b Keep em coming you all do such a great job at such Concepts
cant tell you how much I, for one appreciate all you do!
Hello!
I am student of the department of tourism at the University of Piraeus in Greece and i am excited that we are conducting a survey about Family Travel.
I would be really happy if you completed this quick survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1s1OjLYV6AtLcEgkaa6UsqtxjVCnLQ1NMjTGANmOqyAw/edit
Thank you very much!
Best Family Summer Vacations. Bookanyboat helps you search for boat rentals, yacht charters and sightseeing cruises in 3 exciting destinations, including: Dubai, Ibiza and Miami. bookanyboat.com
Exceptional post but I was wondering if you could write
a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Bless you!
Thanks for finally writing about > How To Chhoose a Dude Ranch When Therre Are
So Manny Chhoices – My Family Travels
Summer is the best time to visit Alaska because the days are longer as well as the temperature were warmer.
As ones luxury cruise ship glides past creaking blue-white glacier and lush woodland, rest on you private veranda.
The Last Frontier is a nature lover’s dream, with places like Production of essential which you can see big cats fishing trout or Queenstown with which you can witness humpback whales breaching on a whale-watching cruise.
In Icy Strait Point, soar over the trees on the a zipline, and learn about the history of the Gold Rush in Skagway.
Thanks for sharing informative post.
San Diego vacation rentals with private pool
Very superb information can be found on web site.
Fantastic site. Lots of useful information here.
I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing.
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Awsome info and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
Hey very interesting blog!
Ahaa, its fastidious conversation regarding this post at this place at this web
site, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
I think that what you published was very logical. However,
what about this? what if you typed a catchier post title?
I ain’t suggesting your content is not good, but suppose you
added something that grabbed people’s attention? I mean How To Choose a
Dude Ranch When There Are So Many Choices – My Family Travels is
kinda plain. You ought to look at Yahoo’s home
page and see how they create news headlines to grab viewers
interested. You might add a video or a related pic or two to get readers interested about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it could bring your blog a little
bit more interesting.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, this post is good, my sister is analyzing these things,
so I am going to convey her.
You have brought up a very good points, regards for the post.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came
to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Wonderful blog and terrific design and style.
After going over a few of the blog posts on your web page, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Your site is very good, I liked the information. Grateful. 10070690
I’m no longer sure where you’re getting your info, however good topic.
I must spend a while finding out much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Do you have at least some idea how to cancel Hawaiian airlines flight? Booked tickets can be dropped online by Visiting Hawaiian Airlines’ actual webpage. explorers don’t have even the remotest clue how to drop the trip on the web, they can contact flight chiefs at Hawaiian Airlines drop ticket
Hi there! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great information you will have here on this post. I will be coming back to your weblog for more soon.
Its excellent as your other posts : D, regards for posting.
Great Post ! I have read your other posts which are really informative for any family traveler. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful informative information.
Exactly what I was searching for, thank you for posting.
very nice publish, i certainly love this website, keep on it
Many years ago, I did study Spanish in Barcelona, with a school called CIEE. I loved every minute of my month there, stayed with an older woman who ran a boarding house for students. She made us all speak Spanish at every meal. I remember eating a lot of patates fritas at her house, but I did learn a lot of Spanish (a little Catalan too) and I fell in love with Barcelona.
I was just telling my friend about that.