This past week I had felt a bit nature starved, so off I went. I am getting a van upfitted by a company in Bozeman Montana, so delivering them the van was the perfect get-a-way. First leaving the LA area around 4:30 AM I set to land somewhere in Utah for my first night. As I had hoped, the drive was easy and beautiful. Stayed north of Ogden Utah, and arrived at the Western Yellowstone National Park Gate around noon the next day. The last time I had been to the park was as a very young child and all I really remember was Old Faithful. Yellowstone is a place like no other. Preserved within its boundaries are Old Faithful and the majority of the world’s geysers and hot springs. The air is clean, the skies are endless and the water is crystal clear. Yellowstone is home to the grizzly bear and wolf and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. Centuries-old sites, historic buildings that reflect the unique heritage of America’s first national park are all protected within more than 2.2 million acres, most not even accessible by roads.

Yes, Yellowstone was crowded and there was a few irresponsible visitors I encountered, but the sight of seeing so many humans engaged with the wilderness, animals, and geology made me hopeful. The more exposure we give folks to the miracles of our natural world, the more people will want to respect and honor these beautiful lands and creatures. At least that’s is what I am hopeful for. I was able to witness a wolf den with pups, a black bear with cubs, tons and tons of bison, elk and so much more.

Yellowstone National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 because it protects significant geological phenomena and processes. It is also a unique manifestation of geothermal forces, natural beauty, and wild ecosystems where rare and endangered species can thrive. As one of the few remaining intact large ecosystems in the northern temperate zone. IIf you are feeling nature deprived as I was and need to immerse yourself in the beauty you will not see anywhere else, I say hit the road and do it. I felt the renewal begin almost immediately.