Spring In Yellowstone: Along the Way

Lewis Falls

I said I had one last one to do.  We've visited the upper and lower loops and I had a few pictures of the places in Yellowstone.  Some are along the main road, some by the differences and one or two might actually be outside the park, I'll let you know if that's the case! :)

Alberta Falls... Alberta Falls...

That Thursday, the other hike I did was to Alberta Falls.  I left from the Glacier Gorge trailhead; not far from Bear Lake.  I was warned by the park service (volunteer??) that the whole trail was still covered in snow.  I wasn't too concerned as it a short hike only .6 miles in and .6 miles out... actually I think it was closer to .9 in and out.  Their signs were sending me mixed messages.  The first .3 miles was pretty dry, and as I came to a bridge over a raging stream I noticed it was snow covered.

Water Along the Gorge

I was going through some pictures last night, and chatting with a new friend online about some, and he mentioned Multnomah Falls.  I've posted a bit on waterfalls before, but haven't really given the Columbia Gorge its due.  Fall 2009, I road tripped through Oregon and our last leg in Oregon was The Gorge.  We were really just passing through, but we made sure that we took the Columbia River Highway.  It is amazing, the views, the waterfalls, Vista House, it was so much fun to drive.

Waterfalls, Waterfalls

  So I mentioned in a previous post, that Niagara Falls is on the top of my waterfall list.  In my travels I have seen many of them, I seek them out, there is something awesome about the sheer volume of power they harness.  Something primal, some connection with something greater than I.

Canada Travels!

Sunset overlooking the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario

 So I have this love affair with Canada.  And I truly do not get to go there often.  You'd think living in Minnesota and having my passport would mean I'd get up there more often.  But I don't. And that is damn shame.  But hopefully that will change in the future, near or far.  Until then I will just have to keep on lovin' Canada from afar.  This love affair might be the reason I am a Canucks fan, or Markus Naslund may be the reason I'm a Canucks fan,  Or am I a Nazzy fan because of the Canucks...the chicken and the egg... but hey, it really doesn't matter, does it.  Didn't think so.

Surrounded by Beauty

Home sweet Lake Lodge

Since my mom has my camera and she is on her way back from Alaska it will be a while before I can take pictures of new things and post them.  But part of what I want to do is showcase some of my older pictures.  Just so you know, I don't do a lot of editing the pictures.  Usually I just crop them, sometimes I play around a bit more.  But mostly they are as me and my camera saw them. 

 I have spent the better part of the last 6 years in Yellowstone National Park.  To be surrounded by so much beauty is indescribable.

Enjoying the isolated spring

 And the beauty of the park is so many things, from the people who live there, to the wild, free animals, and the endless array of backdrops.  Yellowstone gives you an appreciation of life that is hard to find elsewhere.  It is the beauty of simplicity.  And at the same time, it is a place of personal discovery. 

The desire to be in Yellowstone is a magnetic pull.  Even when you know you are finished, there is a part of Yellowstone that remains with you.  Maybe it is the memories, the friends, the pictures, whatever it is... It is a tie that binds people together.  

Yellowstone is a place of beauty from the tallest water falls to the tiniest flowers.  Always changing, and never quite the same.  But never that different from year to year.

It was Yellowstone where I first realized that anyone can take beautiful pictures.  When you are surrounded by beauty on all sides it is difficult to screw it up.