Wonderland

 

Yellowstone was being called “Wonderland” before it became our first National Park in 1872. And I am filled with wonder the more I learn about its history, its spectacular geysers, and the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yellowstone takes up over 3,000 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming. We are so blessed that this entire area has been preserved—certainly not without lots of controversies and challenges—but nonetheless it is still protected.

Yellowstone is as wondrous as it is complex, and I look forward to learning even more. This summer will be the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service and it’s going to be busy! Talk about having to hit the ground running!

So much to learn . . . to take in. Reading as much as possible now so I’m better prepared for all I’m still to learn once up there . . . The history. The geology, including over 10,000 hydrothermal features and more than 300 geysers. Learning how their “plumbing” works and the difference between geysers, hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots. I stayed in the historic Old Faithful Inn about three years ago and found the entire Upper Geyser Basin and other areas so amazing.

 

 

Thermophiles . . .

 

 

 

Bison

 

 

 

Grizzlies         

Elk  . . .

   

 

Bald Eagles    

Ospreys . . . oh my.

 

 

And then there’s the Wolves! I’ve been so mesmerized by wolves my entire life and now I’m going to have opportunities to watch them for real—not in books, pictures, videos or movies. I do believe that is my main joy, love and excitement about spending the summer actually living in Yellowstone . . . to see wolves for myself! And since the Wolves were restored to Yellowstone in 1995, studies are showing a greater biodiversity throughout the Ecosystem.

I start May 3rd and the entire rest of the month is all about learning as much as possible before my tours begin in June and all the folks start arriving. Getting myself prepared has been such a labor of love. And then to have an opportunity to inspire others about nature and wilderness areas. Perhaps showing someone their first Wolf, Bald Eagle or Osprey, high mountain Wildflower or the Old Faithful geyser.

It will be different. Leaving my low-desert home for the mountains of Wyoming over 7,000 feet up in a dorm room. And I love cooking and will only be eating in the Employee Dining Room for five months. But, then, as Neale Donald Walsh puts it, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” So I’m off on my next Big Adventure, looking forward to the many things I’ll be learning, new experiences I’ll be having, and the people from all over the world and walks of life with whom I’ll be sharing this “Wonderland.”

Perhaps my Big Adventure will inspire others to try something new in their own lives. To finally do that something they’ve always dreamed of doing but were maybe too scared to try. I’m going beyond my comfort zone because I want to see and do more things in this wonderful life!

In this Wonderland!