This is a continuing story of our great vacation to Wyoming and
Montana and just in case you did not read the first columns let me
repeat this statement. "Yellowstone is a dangerous place to visit."
They are not trying to scare you from coming; they just want you to be
aware and be vigilant.
"Two of Yellowstone's most exciting wildlife events of the year happen
in August and September; the bison and elk mating seasons-otherwise
known as the rut. " There are countless videos of male animals
fighting and stirring up the dust during this season of their life;
being aware and ready to seek shelter from the animals is even more
important during the days of the rut. Bison and elk are powerful
animals that can hurt humans in the blink of an eye; it is even more
critical to beware of the beasts during this season of their lives.
Yellowstone was born on March 1, 1872 making it the world's very first
national park. In order to protect the more than two million acres of
mountain wilderness, geysers and amazing landscapes for the enjoyment
of future generations, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the
Yellowstone National Park Protection act and it became a famous law of
the land.
Yellowstone National Park can be entered by five different gates; they
are the northern, eastern, western, southern and the northeastern
entrances. We flew Delta Airlines into Bozeman, Montana, picked up a
rental SUV and after a good meal and some much need rest; we entered
the northern gate at Gardiner, Montana. The state line to enter into
the state of Wyoming is within a few miles of the entrance. It is
advisable to order and study at least one of the guidebooks available
by internet or in bookstores; some of them are even free.
There are a lot of rules and regulations that first time visitors need
to understand before they reach their ultimate destination; here are a
few of them. You cannot touch the animals, and under no circumstance
should you try to feed them. Stay on the marked paths, especially
when near the geysers; read and follow the directions of each site,
they are for your protection and safety. Guns and firearms are
permitted inside the park but all rules for open and concealed carry
should be obeyed.
"Yellowstone National Park preserves the most extraordinary collection
of hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles on Earth. More than
10,000 hydrothermal features are found here, of which more than five
hundred are geysers."
"It is doubtful that today's Park Service would approve the building
of an expensive structure that is purely decorative in nature. But
when the Roosevelt Arch was conceived, Gardiner was the most important
gateway to Yellowstone-the first park and a jewel in the national park
crown. "
Because 2020 has been considered a strange year, it is comforting to
know that the inscription on the Roosevelt Arch, Yellowstone reads
"For the benefit and enjoyment of the people".
Brenda S. Brown
