BillW
Posts 13
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Hello All
Here in Yellowstone this morning it is a bit overcast and a touch foggy. Just another day in paradise! OK, wilderness. Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is a 2.2 million acre park? As big as it is, there is a bigger National Park. 5 points for the answer. Redeemable at the Lazy Days Cafe for an iced tea. OK, how big is 2.2 million acres, the states of Rhode Island (my original home state), and the state of Delaware will fit within the borders of Yellowstone. However, only about 5% of the Park isc accessible by road. The other 95% is true wildreness, with all the wildlife you may expect. Elk, bear, wolf, bison, moose, deer to name some of the large mammals. The plantlife is also very diverse. Lodgepole pine is abundant here. Very tall pine trees, very straight, and obviously getting its name for its previous usage.
Geographical features here in the park are amazing. From the iconic Old Faithful and Lower Falls. Did you know that Yellowstone has one of the largest quantity of the worlds geothermal features? Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest Hot Springs in the world. Best seen from a higher vantage point, the colors in the pool get reflected up into the steam rising from the surface. We have all seen photos, movies etc as we were growing up, some actually had a chance to visit the Park, but put youselves into the shoes, (boots, moccasins), of some of Fire and Brimstone, where did they hear that phrase? Well, here they were, b ut with what must have been frightening, the beauty was also overwhelming. Stories from these early explorers were thought of as tall tales. It took a group of explorers with artists and photographer to document the trip, helping to create our first National Park.
On August 25th, the anniversery of Yellowstone becoming a National Park, we are opening the new Visitor Education Center at Old Faithful. More on this later.
Come on out, drive those RV's see the country, visit your National Parks. If you have attained the wonderful age of 62, get your Senior Pass for $.10 (liefetime) pass that admits you to ALL the National Parks, plus discounts on camping in many parks. If you are still younger and have a trip in mind, there is an annual pass for $80 that will admit you into all the parks for one year.
If you get to Old Faithful, please stop by the bookstore and say hello!
edited by BillW on 6/8/2010
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Bill & Jolene Whetstone
Living and working in Yellowstone NP
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