From
there I rode to Artist Point where there was a smattering of other people. This point just
has to be one of the singularly most beautiful places on Earth to stand. Looking west
toward the Lower Falls, the surging Yellowstone River and the colorful canyon, I stood in
awe and in great appreciation for the beauty of the Earth. I was overcome with spiritual
emotion. With tears in my eyes, I took communion in a way that only a few friends will
understand. I breathed in the beauty of the moment. I sipped it; I drank it; I gulped it.
It will sustain me for a long, long time. Come to this place at least once in your life.
See it, hear it, feel it and you will remember it.
Later in the day, I rode to
Mt. Washburn, one of the highest peaks in the Park, then down hill for about ten miles to
Tower Falls, another of the many beautiful falls in the Park. From Tower Falls, I rode to
Mammoth Hot Springs at the northern edge of the Park where I camped for the night. On the
way, I saw my first (and only) bear in Yellowstone – a black bear who was so far back
in the trees that I couldn’t even take his picture. I wouldn’t have even seen it
if not for the thirty cars pulled off the road and the handy Park Ranger who was pointing
out the bear to everyone. This gave me a Yellowstone "big game" scoresheet of
bear, moose, elk, bison, deer, antelope, coyote, big horn sheep, mountain goat and
horsefly.
The other highlight of the
day was that I had my first double–double of the journey. No, that’s not a
bicycling term. I had two double scoop ice cream (waffle) cones today. Ah, the joy of
burning calories!
My summary of Yellowstone:
not only was it the world’s first National Park, but it remains the best know; not
only is it the best known, but it would be the "highest rated" if anyone were to
do such a survey. It may not turn out to be my personal favorite (I have a long held
affinity for Yosemite), but I would have no argument with anyone who tells me that
Yellowstone is the greatest place on the planet. It has the mountains, lakes, canyons,
rivers, waterfalls and wildlife of other great parks, plus the thermal wonders that
aren’t duplicated anywhere in the world. It’s world class. It may be
overcrowded, but it’s not overrated. Everyone should come here at least once, three
times if you’re able – youth, middle age and older age. I’ll be back when
I’m 85.
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
