Yellowstone National Park would have to be at or near the top of favorite places we traveled to and camped in following retirement. It is a setting of incredible variety. The birds and animals and "little critters" keep things happening. Waterfalls, rivers, and the beautiful Yellowstone Lake are fantastic. The old structures that have survived fire and storm take one back to another age and time. I love Yellowstone! September was our favorite month to be there. The tourist crowds became smaller. Days were cooler and nights were cold. Bull elk came into the park and began to trumpet and spar for their harems. You could see them up close and personal.
I have as my wallpaper on the computer a pic of the Firehole River. Snow is melting along the banks. I fished the Firehole one early fall. Had a four pound test spinning rod and a tiny spoon or two or three. There were a lot of ways to leave a lure in the firehole. It isn't very wide or deep for the most part. In places you can walk across and change sides. It isn't a great fishing river EXCEPT for the scenery. I was wading the firehole and choosing tiny targets when I noticed the icy water was becoming warm...then warmer...then hot. I had to get out of the river. When I did I could see the steam rising from the hot water coming into the Firehole. Beneath the Firehole and much of Yellowstone is a boiler room of immense proportions. The experts say it will erupt again some day as it must have done years earlier. What seemed so calm and serene had below it incredible heat and power waiting to blow. So it is with life. Nations are like this. While the world's great athletes have gathered to signify unity a war erupts between Georgia and Russia. In our own country there is an uncomfortable peace among peoples. The death of a political leader in Arkansas speaks of potential violence. We who are Believers need to promote peace among all people. We must not allow our political persuasions to lead us into violence. Could it happen? O yes. Quickly.
I love the Firehole River just as it is. Cold. Frozen. Hot. Perking. But never going beyond those stages. I like us like that too.
