Yellowstone. The very name conjures up images of towering
mountain peaks, verdant valleys transected with streams, wildlife, and for some
of us, a bit of unease when we realize that floor of the Yellowstone Valley is actually
the wide mouth of a massive caldera. Volcanologists repeatedly assure the
public that Yellowstone is in no imminent danger of erupting. The last time the
super volcano under Yellowstone erupted was about 650,000 years ago. Remnants
of that eruption are everywhere—from the high walls of rhyolitic basalt forming
the caldera rim to pieces of obsidian scattered around the park. (I don’t even
want to guess how many tiny pieces of obsidian my granddaughters shoved into
their pockets on this trip.)
I’ve just spent a week in this amazing place (we camped next to Lewis Lake) and could spend
a lot more time there if the finances allowed it. I unplugged. I had limited
cell phone service in a few places in the park and had zero internet connection
and I have to admit, I didn’t miss it one iota. Instead, I took pictures. LOTS of pictures.
Yellowstone is our first national park and considered by
many to be the crown jewel in a string of beautiful places we have set aside to
be protected for generations past and to come. Yet, Yellowstone is no stranger
to controversy for all the serenity to be found there. Speak of the
reintroduction of the wolf to the ecosystem and opinions are as divided on the
benefit (or lack thereof) this apex predator plays there as the current
political climate is divided.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I’m not sure quite
where I fall on the spectrum of that opinion. My heart says the wolf belongs in
Yellowstone as much as the bison, the elk, the moose, the grizzly, and the
mountain lion. My head understands the misgivings and concerns of the ranchers
who live around Yellowstone. I hope that there will be a compromise reached, a
middle ground. It’s still on my bucket list to hear the wolves sing in
Yellowstone and to be able to see these magnificent animals. And, I pray that
they will still be there when my granddaughters take their grandchildren to
Yellowstone.
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