Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Yellowstone ---Day 1

We finally got to beautiful Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Day 7 of our West Trip this past September (Sept. 12-27, 2012).  We spent five busy days here --and could have stayed many more since this park is HUGE.

We divided our days up into different areas of the park.  On this first day,  we visited the northwest areas (including the Norris Geyser Basin,  Mammoth Hot Springs,  Tower Falls, and Gardiner).    I'll share this first day's experience in two blog posts since we have SO many photos....

The good news for us waterfall lovers is that we saw FIVE new waterfalls on this first day...  The waterfalls at Yellowstone are fabulous.   BUT--we saw lots of wildlife,  geysers and basins in addition to the waterfalls.  What a fabulous place!!!! Hope you enjoy our pictures.  Be sure to enlarge them for better views.

Above is one of many beautiful pictures showing all of the different colors.. This area is called ARTIST PAINTPOTS...  One can see just why artists would love being here.  To learn more about this area, click HERE.




We really enjoyed the NORRIS GEYSER BASIN...  Here is a picture showing some of the area --including our FIRST geyser,  LEDGE Geyser.  Doesn't this area just look like another world?   You need to see it in person to grasp the feelings one gets from visiting here.




Here is the PORCELAIN TERRACE SPRINGS area at Norris Geyser Basin.




This picture shows more of the colors formed in the areas of the geyser basin. If you want to read more information about this area,  click HERE.




This collage shows some of MANY photos we took of ELK the entire time we were there. We saw elk everywhere throughout the park --but loved seeing the ones right in the middle of town at Mammoth Hot Springs... It was Sept ---so that male was quite interested in the ladies (as you can see from the 'sniffy sniffy' photo in the middle on the top).... ha ha.....  If you want to hear a Bull Elk bugle/holler (during rutting/mating season) ---click HERE.   Here's another video taken a couple of weeks after we were there.  This one shows a couple of Bull Elks fighting.  Click HERE for that one.




George took this picture of a Happy Girl ---after seeing this beautiful waterfall.  This is GIBBON FALLS.




Here is a collage I made showing Gibbon Falls --and also showing Rustic Falls...  This is the first two (of 5) that we saw that first day at Yellowstone.





Look at this Buffalo..... Besides elk,  we also saw lots of BUFFALOES  in the park...  I'll share a collage in another blog post.




Here is a collage showing more from Mammoth Hot Springs.  According to a friend who lives near there,  this area was not as pretty as it usually is due to the drought in the area... BUT--it was pretty to us.  To read more about this area, click HERE.




I'll close with a picture of George and me taken  at the Norris Geyser Basin.

There will be many more pictures to come.   This was only 'part' of the first day we were there... It's hard to pick a favorite area since they are all unique and fabulous.

GOOD NEWS for ME:   I went to the doctor yesterday for my annual physical.  Got the best report I have gotten in years... All of my weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise is paying off..... Don't have to go back for a YEAR.   YEAH RAH!!!

Have a great day.

Hugs,

63 comments:

Farikica said...

Hi Betsy,

I always read about Yellow Stone National Park but never get a chance to go there yet.. It's just so beautiful...so beautiful...

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,

This park is my No 1 on the list of places I want to visit. Thank you for sharing those gorgeous pictures and views. And congratulations on the checkup, that is great news.

Hugs
Eva

Jeevan said...

The Gibbon falls at background with you was fabulous! I have heard about this park before and your photos adds glimpse of details. The different shades present there are awesome... the collage on ELK was lovely :)

Glad you sustain your health better and good, betsy! Keep going

Catherine said...

Hooray for getting a good report from the doctor Betsy!! Now that is something to celebrate. Woot woot!
You go girl!
xo Catherine

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Beautiful photos of a wonderful place. I love seeing the elk and buffalo too and the waterfalls are so breathtaking. To me it doesn't matter the size of a waterfall, they all touch me in some way.

Thank you for sharing ~ FlowerLady

Susannah said...

How great you must feel about your doc's report!!!! A WHOLE YEAR!!!!! Oh, how interesting this post is.....so informative and gorgeous photos.

Susannah

Linda G. said...

Whenever I read your blog posts about your trip out west, they stir my desire to go west! Beautiful pictures!

Congratulations on your good health report!

MadSnapper said...

love that buffalo and all the wildlife you saw makes me a tad jealous. i can see why they call it yellow stone, there is a lot of yellow in the basin picks. it is a beautiful spot. glad your doc report was good.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Betsy, Lovely photos of Yellowstone NP. I love this place. We were there at the end of Sept. 2012. Hugs Judy

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

It's been so many years since we've "done" the WHOLE park. Your photos make me want to plan a longer stay next time and do just that. These are beautiful, and I'm looking forward to more.

Way to go on that health matter. I need to hang around with you for awhile. :)

linda m said...

Yellowstone is definitely on my "must see" list. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

Serenity Cove said...

Thanks for sharing Betsy. Did I tell you we are going to Yellowstone this summer? I was there years ago but I only remember Old Faithful. We are also going to the Canadian Rockies.

Linda said...

Hi Betsy,

What gorgeous photos of such an amazing place! You and George look great, I love your matching shirts.

LV said...

I was fortunate that my sister and I got to go here one year. We stayed in Jackson Hole and loved it there. In fact, I lost part of my camera at the park. It fell through a crack in one of the bridges we were on. I wish I could go back one day.

MTWaggin said...

So fun to see some of the same pictures from a different viewfinder!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great photos, Betsy! The waterfalls are so pretty. Congrats on a great checkup!

Connie said...

Great photos, Betsy! How exciting to see the elk and buffalo! Congratulations on getting a good report from the Doctor. :)

Unknown said...

Wonderful post! I love Yellowstone. I recently found your blog and am really enjoying it. Thanks for sharing.

I Am Woody said...

So SO excited about the good doctor visit!!

Since my trip to Yellowstone last fall went by the wayside, I have my fingers crossed for this fall!!

TexWisGirl said...

the colors in the basin is pretty amazing. :) love the bison.

Sylvia K said...

Yellowstone is such a wonderful park and one of my favorite!! You've captured so much of the beauty!! Terrific! I, too, love the bison! Hope your week is going well, Betsy!! Enjoy!

Small City Scenes said...

Congrats on the excellent health report.
Beautiful pictures of Yellowstone and the waterfalls and animals. MB

Miss Debbie said...

Hoping to get there one day! Looks like a great trip!

imac said...

Colours are fantastic Betsy, Great place, enjoyed the film on TV about this wonderful place.

Sally Wessely said...

Yellowstone is such an amazing place. I love seeing it again through your eyes. Your collages are great!

Rose said...

Congrats on the good report at the doctor's office. I need to follow your example as far as healthy eating.

Oh, Betsy, some of these pics--they show an amazing part of our country. I really enjoyed seeing them.

Ginny Hartzler said...

What an adventure, the adventure of a lifetime!! And you must have been psychic to buy shirts that exactly match the sky! Pictures one and four look like the planet Mars. But I think two is my favorite!!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Hooray for a great doctor visit!

Love these pics. ONe of these days - I hope I get to visit Yellowstone!

happyone said...

Great photos and an awesome place to visit. I've been a few years ago.

joy said...

Amazing places! I wish I can see those places in person, but.... Anyway, I can't wait for the next pictures:)
Hugs from me!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your pictures of Yellowstone are beautiful,but I would agree,one has to visit in person to really appreciate the beauty.

Lynda said...

EXCELLENT doctor's report for you! You deserve a big pat on the back for your hard work.

This post was great! Your excitement over the trip is still there. It's obvious you both did a lot of homework before traveling. It seems to have given you even more awe over what you saw. The colors of nature are spectacular.

Thanks for the links. I especially liked the one of the bulls fighting - - crazy hard-headed men anyway. I kind of wondered about the park ranger worker though. Those elk didn't seem too happy to start with and I don't know how wise it was to intrude on their territory even if he was trying to keep them from injury!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

To Louise Bradford

Thanks for coming to my blog. I tried to visit you --either your blog or by email, and couldn't find a link on how to get there... Please send me a link to betsyadams@mac.com...

I'm so glad that you visited.
Hugs,
Betsy

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Love seeing Yellowstone. It truly is a unique place.
Yea on the check up.

Fun60 said...

Thanks for sharing some of your wonderful Yellowstone photos. It makes me want to get on a plane and follow in your footsteps. Congratulations on your clean bill of health.

Nancy said...

Betsy, I am so glad you got a good report from the dr...if your smile is any indicator of your health you are AOK....

I really enjoy you sharing your trip with us...I have never been there but it looks like a haven for photographers and artists. Your shots are awesome and I look forward to seeing more of your trip....

eileeninmd said...

Cool post on Yellowstone. All of these scenes look so familiar from our own trips there. I could go again, I loved it so much. Beautiful photos, Betsy!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I am so happy for you on getting an A+ on your physical....I know how hard you've worked towards that. Kudos to you Betsy....you are inspiring.
We LOVED Yellowstone park. I want to go back. We only spent 2 days there and it wasn't enough. The buffalo were just amazing to us; loved them!
XOXO

Sharon said...

Love seeing your report from a place I haven't been. But it is certainly on the list.

RoeH said...

One thing about Yellowstone. . . it never gets tiresome of seeing it. Always something different. I need to get back there. Haven't been there since '84.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous blue skies and such great scenery. Love those geysers!

Big Dude said...

Great shots as always Betsy. I hate we missed Yellowstone last year and hope we can correct it this year. Yellowstone is even more interesting now that we know it's the crater of perhaps the world's largest active volcano.

Janice K said...

So happy to hear your good news!

I couldn't help but notice that beautiful blue, blue sky in some of the pictures. I am always amazed at how bluer the sky looks out there. It has been a while since we were at Yellowstone but have a lot of fun memories.

Have a great day!

DeniseinVA said...

Fabulous pictures again Betsy. I can't wait to get back to Yellowstone.

KathyA said...

We soooo want to go there!

Linda P said...

An amazing place. I looked at the map and the different names of the areas capture my imagination. It looks like a vast area. What sights and sounds you must have experienced. Were they sulphur geysers? The waterfalls are exciting to see also as well as the animals.
It's wonderful to know you've had a good health report.

SquirrelQueen said...

So many beautiful photos Betsy. That buffalo is so cool. The last time we were over that way we got to the edge of the park but had spent too much time in Idaho and didn't have time to explore.

Congrats on your excellent check up!

troutbirder said...

Wonderful. Keep em coming. I love this place and after visiting for the first time with my parent in 1956 have been back maybe twenty time with my spouse, brothers and sons. Mostly for flyfishing though...:)

Diane AZ said...

Hi Betsy, I am overwhelmed by your beautiful pictures and collages! I do hope to see Yellowstone in person some day. The geysers and waterfalls look amazing and I enjoy seeing the elk and buffalo too!

Wendy said...

Great news about your check-up! You must feel wonderful! Look good too. LOL.

What a magnificent beast that buffalo is. I followed your elk link and got lost watching YouTube videos of animals. Nearly forgot to come back!!

Thanks for sharing your stunning photos of geysers. I've never seen any and would like to visit Yellowstone park one day. Your photos really draw one in and I think you should be making postcards!

You asked if I'd been on any cruises. Nope - never been on one before. Perhaps one day too....
Hugs,

Chatty Crone said...

Another a nice trip with great photos. You are cute with your matching t-shirt colors. I have never been out west that way - I have flown west but never driven. Looked very interesting and with a lot of waterfalls! sandie

Terry and Linda said...

Excellent, Betsy! I'm so happy for you!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpres.com

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Yeah Betsy! I thought your pic of Yellowstone were great. But the news from your doctor is OUTSTANDING! Good for you!

Anonymous said...

Yellowstone is such an amazing place... I haven't been there in 50 years... time to visit again.

NatureStop said...

Betsy, that park looks really good and with the pics you have taken really makes me want to visit it.When we were home last August we visited a place called Cherrapunjee(the rainest place on earth)in Meghalaya and there were so many waterfalls and I always remembered you:)I'll share those pics someday...lol...Good to know that you don't need to go back to the doc for a year:)So long take care...have a great weekend!

Shantana

Marie said...

Betsy, you are a happy and pretty girl in that photo! You and George are so photogenic. :) I love seeing the animals! I love traveling with you and George!
What a Fantastic check up! So happy for you!!!
Hugs,
Marie

A Colorful World said...

I'd love to go to Yellowstone...we might get there yet! Wonderful pictures! You two "bluebirds" look fabulous in that last picture! And I know you are thrilled with that excellent health report! We are trying to lose our weight now, and hope to be able to say the same too in about a year!

Betty Manousos said...

first off, i am so happy for you!
what a terrific check up!

now what a treat! i totally enjoyed your lovely shots of yellowstone. i'd love to go there.

what fantastic sights, and that buffalo...such a magnificent beast!

big hugs.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful trip you are taking! Thank you for posting the scenic postcards!.I use to collect those(along with coffee cups from various states).Safe travels as you carry on!:)
Romans 8:32,
Judy

Rohrerbot said...

This is one place I want to check out! Lots of critters there and a place I'm excited about visiting one of these days:) Love the springs and buffalo especially!

diane b said...

Isn't it just the greatest place? Lovely colours and photos oops waterfalls too of course.

Are We There Yet! said...

I love the geysers, but the buffalo are great too!! We see buffalo on our way to Erie, Pa, when we go.

Cheqna said...

Hi Betsy,

How fortunate that you could visit this fabulous place and share it here..thank you for these beautiful pictures.

Am really glad for you on your good health, I should follow a healthy lifestyle too. :-)