Date of trip: June 2011

When Will was a little kid growing up in Westchester County, he often saw commercials with smiling families and couples enjoying their vacations in the Pocono Mountain region in Pennsylvania. He always wanted to go and, finally, we did!

Highlights:

-Our trip was especially inspired by a commercial for Mount Airy, the largest and most popular resort in the Poconos when it was built. Sadly, it fell into disrepair and went into foreclosure in 1999. Thanks to a new owner, it was completely remodelled as a casino hotel and reopened in 2007. We had to stay there! The rooms are standard for a mid-range hotel, but comfortable. The casino is small and smoky, but much nicer than I expected and it seemed like a lot of people were winning there. It tends to get crowded on the weekends. There are also several restaurants on the property and they are all pretty good. It seemed like one of the nicer places to stay in the Poconos.

-Between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains forming an area called the Delaware Water Gap. The Gap is important because it not only provides refuge to a variety of animals but it also accounts for 10% of the nation’s fresh water. Although there is a road that runs along the river, the thick tree coverage makes it difficult to see anything from the street so the best way to explore the area is by foot or boat. There are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in the Gap, including 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail. One of the best sights is Dingmans Falls which is fairly easy to reach by a short trail and a wooden staircase with 240 steps. With a 130 foot drop, the waterfalls are beautiful, especially when a snowy winter has left them flowing full and strong!

-Dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania”, Bushkill Falls has been one of the most popular attractions in the Poconos for over 100 years. It was discovered by Charles E. Peters in 1904 and is still privately owned and operated by his family. It consists of eight waterfalls and although the admission price is steep at $11/person, it grants you access to a large variety of extremely well maintained hiking trails. There is also a small but interesting museum on the property and several stores, food stands and additional attractions including mini golf and paddle boats. Whether you take the 15 minute or two hour hike around the falls, you won’t be disappointed.

-I’ve always wondered what it would be like in a coal mine, especially after the dramatic rescue of 33 miners in Chile last year. We decided to travel 40 minutes north of the Poconos to Scranton to find out at the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Tours are offered from April through November and last about an hour. It was really cool riding 300 feet underground in the little mine car. Once we got to the bottom, it was dark and cool. The temperature of the mine stays at 53 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so you need a warm sweater even in the summer. We learned all about the different mining methods through the years and the safety precautions followed to prevent injuries and death. The guide also told us about the different positions and responsibilities mine workers have. We even got a chance to see how dark the mine is without any lighting. It was a fascinating experience and I felt very fortunate that it was so easy for us to get back to the surface when it was over!

The Poconos may not be the premier destination it once was, but it is still very popular due to its close proximity to NYC and its beautiful scenery. It’s a bit kitschy, but that’s part of its charm and it is perfect for a peaceful few days away from the city.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Poconos Links:
Poconos Official Site
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Delaware Water Gap
Bushkill Falls
Lackawanna Coal Mine

Date of trip: 2004, November 2010

There are few things more American than a Hershey’s chocolate bar and when I learned there was a town built around Hershey’s chocolate, I had to visit. I expected it to be a fun trip to a kitschy, dated, amusement park but Hershey is so much more than that.

Highlights:

-The Hotel Hershey was built in the 1930s and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. It’s expensive but it shouldn’t be missed even if you don’t spend the night. There’s a huge full service spa offering chocolate treatments, several excellent restaurants including the stunning Circular Dining Room, and some great gift shops. Outside, the grounds include beautiful gardens and a skating rink!

-Hersheypark was originally created for the employees of the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory but these days it’s a well loved family destination open to the public. It may not be as exciting as some of the bigger theme parks in the country, but it has its fair share of excellent roller coasters, including a wooden one from the 1940s. Other favorites are the old fashioned Carousel and the Kissing Tower, a rotating observation deck with Hershey Kiss windows. The park is most visited in the summer but it’s open for special events throughout the year.

-My favorite place in Hershey is Hershey’s Chocolate World because there are so many fun attractions there. The 3-D show is as cool as anything you’ll see in Disney, a ride shows you how Hershey candies are made and a chocolate tasting teaches you about the different varieties of chocolate that the company produces. There’s a huge store where you can buy clothes, souvenirs and plenty of candy and a food court offers many dining options including delicious Hershey’s baked goods and ice cream specialities.

-The newest attraction in Hershey is The Hershey Story a museum all about Milton Hershey, how he started the company and the legacy he left. Despite his success, it’s amazing to learn how many times Hershey failed during his life. His is truly a story of perseverance. I also loved discovering all the philanthropy efforts supported by the company, especially the Milton Hershey School for underprivileged kids. It made me want to go out and buy a candy bar to support the cause.

When I travel, I love relating places I visit to life today. Whether or not you like Hershey’s chocolate, there’s no arguing it’s place in American and world culture. The great thing about Hershey is that it’s not only historically significant but it’s also fun, luxurious and delicious! It’s perfect for families and couples of all ages and it can be as low key or as decadent as you like. There aren’t too many places that can please everyone, but Hershey is definitely one of them.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Hershey Links:
Hershey Official Site
Hotel Hershey
Hersheypark
Hershey’s Chocolate World
The Hershey Story

Date of trip: June 2010

When I realized that Will and I would be flying into Asheville for our trip to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, I knew we had to make a stop at the Biltmore Estate. Built by the Vanderbilts in the late 1800s in the style of a French Chateau, it is the largest privately owned home in the United States.

Highlights:

-The crown jewel of the Biltmore Estate is the Biltmore House. With 250 rooms, its size alone is magnificent. The interior is incredibly well preserved and tells a story, not only about the Vanderbilts, but about life and technology during the period they lived there. The audio tour describes the history of each room and its furnishings. My favorites were the heated indoor pool and the gym, complete with state of the art exercise equipment.

-The grounds at the Biltmore, designed by Central Park creator Frederick Law Olmsted span over 8,000 acres and contain America’s first managed forest. Once you pass the manicured Walled Garden and the Conservatory, filled with a collection of palms and ferns, you easily forget you are walking through something man-made. The Bass Pond is particularly pretty and if you are visiting during the warmer months, you’ll be sure to spot some snapping turtles swimming along the surface.

-It’s a short drive from the house to Antler Hill Village, a newly developed section of the estate that opened earlier this year. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery, discover early farm life at the Barn, learn more about the Vanderbilts at the Legacy Museum, or just get a bite to eat at one of the Village restaurants.

-To get the full Biltmore experience, you have to spend a night at the beautiful Inn on Biltmore Estate. Overlooking the Smoky Mountains it’s the perfect place to rest after a long day of exploring. It’s also a great location to spot wildlife. We spotted a hawk on the roof and a newborn deer on the back lawn.

Here in the United States, we don’t have elaborate royal apartments or castles but we do have some beautiful houses built by successful entrepreneurs in early days of our country. They are snapshots of the ever evolving American dream. The Biltmore is the finest example of this and that is undoubtedly why it is one of the most visited historic attractions in the country.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Biltmore Links:
Biltmore Estate Official Site

Date of trip: May 2010

Although I had been to Maine as a kid, it was only for camping in the remote areas. Will and I really wanted to check out a city, so we were off to Portland for a couple of days.

Highlights:

-All the action in Portland happens in the Old Port. There are quaint shops, bars, restaurants and waterfront activities. Most of Portland’s big hotels are in walking distance so it’s the perfect place to stroll. Don’t miss Beals gourmet ice cream, a local favorite for the past 15 years.

-Whenever I picture Maine, I see lighthouses and there are more than 60 of them along the state’s coastline. The Portland Head Light is the most popular because you can actually go inside of it. There is a museum, gift shop and a lovely trail along the water with plenty of stops for great pictures of the lighthouse from different angles. The area is surrounded by a large park so it’s not unusual to see people enjoying picnics and kite flying on a nice day.

-I definitely have a sweet tooth, so I had to visit Len Libby Candies, a chocolate shop that’s been serving up hand made treats since 1926. It’s also home to Lenny, the world’s only life-sized chocolate moose!

-If you are want to get a closer look at animals native to the state, the Maine Wildlife Park is the perfect place. Just 30 minutes from Portland, the park is home to over 30 different species that can no longer survive in the wild including black bears, moose and bald eagles.

-For the best shopping, make sure you head over to Freeport which is 20 minutes outside of Portland. It has over 200 outlet stores including the gigantic L.L. Bean Flagship Store which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Although Portland is the largest city in Maine, it still has a small town feel and all the New England charm you would expect to find in the state.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Portland Links:
Portland Official Site
Old Port
Portland Head Light
Len Libby Candies
Maine Wildlife Park
Freeport Official Site
L.L. Bean

Date of trip: February 2010

I’ve always been fascinated with Texas. I’ve visited many other states in the south, but I knew Texas was different; different accent, different style, different attitude. It’s also the largest state in the U.S. after Alaska. With only a few days for our trip, deciding what part to visit was a tough decision for Will and me. We settled on San Antonio because it seemed to have so many interesting attractions, especially historical sites.

Highlights:

-In the 18th century, the Catholic church set up a series of mission complexes in San Antonio where Native Americans were fed, protected and educated in exchange for their conversion to Christianity. The first, and the most famous, was the Alamo. Today it is the most well known landmark in Texas because it was the location of a pivotal battle against Mexico for control of the state. On February 23, 1836 the Mexican army made a surprise attack on the Alamo and, though they were far outnumbered, the Americans famously defended the fortress for 13 days. Legend has it that the Colonel drew a line in the sand asking all the men willing to die for their country to step across it and all but one did. Although they were eventually defeated, the Alamo came to symbolize those that would lay down their lives to fight for America and memorialized by the famous phrase “Remember the Alamo”.

-In addition to the Alamo, there were four other missions in San Antonio: Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Some have been better preserved than others, but all are worth visiting since they each offer a different view of early American life in Texas.

-One of the most unique places to visit in the city is the River Walk, a 2 1/2 mile paved pedestrian walkway that winds along the San Antonio River passing restaurants, shops and hotels. If you don’t feel like walking it, there are also boat rides that will take you on a tour or taxi you to various stops.

-Will and I have always loved exploring underground caves, so we were excited to check out the Natural Bridge Caverns. There are a lot of different tours offered, depending on the weather conditions. We took the Discovery Tour which lasts 75 minutes and takes you through the most popular areas. It was pretty spectacular and I really liked seeing the fried egg formations at the end of the tour because I had never seen them anywhere else.

I definitely think San Antonio is an underrated city and was really happy that we stayed there on our first visit to Texas. The people were so friendly and laid back and we never ran out of things to see and do.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

San Antonio Links:
San Antonio Official Site
The Alamo
San Antonio Missions
River Walk
Natural Bridge Caverns

Date of trip: December 2009

Joshua Tree is one of the lesser known and visited properties in the National Park System. This is most likely because it is in the middle of the desert and there isn’t much close by. The closest big city is Palm Springs at 1 1/2 hours away. Despite it’s low key status, it’s a great park and the highlights can easily be visited in a day.

Highlights:

-The stars of the park are, of course, the joshua trees that dot the landscape. Despite their name, they are actually yucca plants with furry looking “trunks”. Unlike most vegetation, they thrive in dry climates and many of the desert wildlife depend on them for food an water.

-Set on top of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Key’s View is the most picturesque spot in the park. From here you can see the entire Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea. The weather wasn’t great when we visited but the scenery was worth braving the winds.

-Joshua Tree is very popular with rock climbers because a big part of the park is covered with giant rocks. Even if you don’t have the desire or ability to scale them, they are still awe inspiring to look at. We especially liked Cap Rock, which looks like it’s wearing a baseball cap and Skull Rock, so called because it strongly resembles a skull.

-Driving through the park there are a lot of wide open spaces so it’s a bit of a surprise to come upon the Cholla Cactus Garden, an area covered with multi-colored cholla cactuses. Although they look fluffy, they are, obviously, prickly so you can get close, but watch yourself!

Everyone knows I love national parks and while I adore the grandness of the Grand Canyon and vast diversity of Yellowstone, there is something quite refreshing about a simple park like Joshua Tree. It may not be flashy, but that also makes it much less crowded and the sense of peace and tranquility that comes from being alone in nature is what the parks are really all about.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Joshua Tree Links:
Joshua Tree Official Site

Date of trip: December 2009

I first wanted to visit Palm Springs years ago when I read that Elvis Presley had spent his honeymoon there. I figured if it was nice enough for The King, it was surely nice enough for me. Even though it’s located in the desert, it’s anything but desolate and it’s just under a two hour drive from Los Angeles.

Highlights:

-Since Palm Springs is so flat, it tends to get very windy which makes it the perfect location for a wind farm. You can’t miss the huge one located in the San Gorgonio Pass consisting of more than 3,000 windmills. The giant white structures line the ground in neat rows all the way to the horizon and it’s quite a sight.

-A great way to see the city is to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto. No matter where you stand, you’ll get to see everything because the tram rotates 360 degrees as it moves. In fact, it’s the largest rotating tram in the world! At the top there are restaurants and various activities like hiking or snowshoeing depending on the season.

-Palm Springs has many excellent hiking trails and the most popular are located in the Indian Canyons. The canyons sit on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation but are open to the public daily for a small admission fee. Will and I hiked Palm Canyon, so called for it’s large palm tree oasis that winds along the ravine at the bottom. It’s so peaceful and was one of the nicest hikes I’ve ever done. We also really enjoyed Tahquitz Canyon which has a 2 mile loop trail that leads you past Tahquitz Falls, a pretty, 60 foot waterfall.

-I didn’t expect to find a world class art museum in the desert, but the Palm Springs Art Museum is just that. It has an excellent collection of American and local art and a great glass studio. It also hosts a variety of impressive special exhibitions.

-If you happen to drive in or out of Palm Springs via Highway 10, be sure you stop in Cabazon to see the famous dinosaurs at the truck stop there. The huge Apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex statues may be random, but they will definitely make you smile. Nearby, Hadley Fruit Orchards is a great place to stop for some of their famous trail mix or a delicious date shake.

Even though most people think of Palm Springs as a seasonal destination, it’s actually a vibrant city year round. It does get very hot in the summer but there are plenty of pools and fun indoor attractions equipped with air-conditioning. It’s a calm, laid-back city but it’s a city none the less filled with people of all ages and a wide variety of things to do.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Palm Springs Links:
Palm Springs Official Site
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Indian Canyons
Tahquitz Canyon
Palm Springs Art Museum
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Hadley Fruit Orchards

Date of trip: June 2009

Grand Teton National Park is literally right below Yellowstone and it’s often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor. Although Yellowstone’s accolades are well deserved, Teton is an incredible place as well and should not be overlooked.

Highlights:

-The star of the park is the Teton Mountain Range which was pushed up by a fault line it sits on millions of years ago. The peaks are covered by snow year round and are truly breathtaking. The Tetons can be seen from pretty much every area in the park, but the paved road on the eastern side has many turnouts which offer the best views along with signs explaining the history and geology of the mountains.

-My favorite place in all of Teton was the Jackson Lake Lodge and my reasons have nothing to do with the hotel rooms. Inside the main lobby of the lodge are 60 foot, floor to ceiling windows offering unparalleled views of the Willow Flats area. This is one of the best places to spot moose, bear and elk and, because it is indoors, it can be enjoyed even in poor weather conditions. Will and I began and ended all of our days in the park here and one morning we witnessed a bear hunt down and snatch a newborn baby elk. It was an equally thrilling and horrifying sight and a glimpse into the wild and harsh realities of life for the animals in Teton.

-Another great place to spot wildlife is on the road leading up Signal Mountain. It’s long and winding and not the easiest drive, but if you proceed slowly and keep your eyes peeled you’ll be rewarded. We saw elk and deer during our ascent and a delightful pair of mating dusky grouse at the top. The male was puffed up, dancing and showing off his brilliant plumage.

-Jenny Lake sits at the base of the Tetons and offers a stunning view of the range. This area holds the park’s 5 star resort, Jenny Lake Lodge, a collection of beautiful, well appointed cabins complete with patios to admire the scenery at all hours. This section of the park is popular with hikers because Jenny Lake is the starting point for many of the park’s trails.

-The Menor’s Ferry District is an old homesteading area next to the Snake River. It belonged to Bill Menor in the 1800s who ran a country store and ferried early travelers across the water. Today, visitors can still shop in the store, ride over the river on a replica ferryboat and get a glimpse of pioneer life in Menor’s cabin. Nearby, the Chapel of the Transfiguration has a window on its altar that frames the Teton Mountains. It’s one of the most beautiful little churches I’ve ever been in.

-Just outside of the park’s southern entrance is the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor’s Center, a state of the art museum and auditorium. It’s the best place to learn all about Grand Teton and gather information to plan your stay in the park. There’s also a shop with maps and souvenirs and a ranger desk where you can get current weather reports and a schedule of park events.

-Snake River winds through almost the entire length of Grand Teton and it’s a great place to find wildlife as they look for water or food or rest on the cool banks. Float trips down the river on rubber rafts are offered several times a day. Although there are no guarantees that you’ll sight any specific animals, you’ll definitely see birds, perhaps even a bald eagle. The Oxbow Bend Turnout, a section of the river near Jackson Lodge is popular territory for beavers and moose.

Grand Teton National Park is covered in mountains and open flatlands. The geography is ideal for wildlife viewing because a visitor can perch on an elevated area with a vast stretch of land before them to observe while animals make their way across. When I visit a park, I relish the opportunities I have to get away from the crowds and find a peaceful place where I can feel part of the natural world and just enjoy it. Teton is full of such locations and that is what makes it is such a special place.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Grand Teton Links:
Grand Teton National Park Official Site
Grand Teton Lodging and Activities

Date of trip: June 2009

While the Upper Loop of Yellowstone does have some of the many geothermal features that are widespread in the Lower Loop, it is better characterized by its rocky mountains and rolling green valleys. It is quieter, wilder and less developed and it feels like a completely different park.

Highlights:

-Roosevelt Lodge is the most remote area of Yellowstone that guests can stay in without camping. It consists of a restaurant serving tasty southern food, a simple convenience store and 80 cabins. The Frontier Cabins, of which there are 14, have bathrooms, showers and electric heat. The remainder of the cabins, called Roughriders, share public bathrooms and are equipped with wood burning stoves. We were able to secure a very nice Frontier Cabin but I had to book it by phone as it showed up unavailable online. It was such a lovely, peaceful place to stay and many of the guests enjoyed drinks on the porch of the restaurant in the mornings and evenings. There are a few tours offered from Roosevelt including an Old West Dinner Cookout which includes a covered wagon ride. Not far from the lodge is the lookout for Tower-Fall, a pretty waterfall on the northern end of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

-The Upper Loop of Yellowstone is prime habitat for pretty much all of the wildlife in the park, especially in the wide open spaces of Lamar Valley. We saw about ten times more bison here than in any other area as well as many elk and pronghorn. Lamar is also the place to spot the elusive gray wolves, black and grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and coyotes. We saw all of the above!

-When Yellowstone was named the first National Park it was managed by the Army for over 30 years until the formation of the National Park Service. Their headquarters, Fort Yellowstone, was located in the Mammoth Hot Springs section of the park. Today, the area still serves as park headquarters and holds administrative offices and housing for employees. Many of the buildings are closed to the public, but there is a nice museum which chronicles the park’s history and has models of the resident animals. There are also lodging and dining options in Mammoth, but the main attraction in the area are the Springs themselves. The mineral rich water has created large white shelves of calcium deposits left over thousands of years. Algae living in the pools tints some of them with shades of orange and red. The formations are split into Upper and Lower Terraces which can be explored by foot or by car.

-The Roosevelt Arch stands at the northern entrance to Yellowstone, which is actually in Montana. It was built in 1903 to serve as the official entrance to the park when the railroad began serving the adjoining town. President Theodore Roosevelt laid down the cornerstone of the arch in a ceremony attended by thousands.

-Sheepeater Cliff was formed by lava flows hundreds of thousands of years ago. The basalt stone, resulting from the hardened lava, cracks into smaller pieces and falls, creating piles of loose rocks. Aside from its interesting appearance, what makes the cliff special are the yellow-bellied marmots that live within the crevices. I thought they might be shy and hard to spot so I was thrilled when we drove up and found one sprawled out, resting on a rock in full view!

-If you’ve ever wondered how someone becomes a park ranger or what is involved in the job, you can find out at the Museum of the National Park Ranger in the Norris area. The museums has displays featuring old photos, ranger uniforms and models of ranger cabins. Best of all, there are rangers working in the museum that are happy to talk about their jobs and answer questions about what they do.

It’s unfortunate that some people visit Yellowstone without traveling to the Upper Loop of the park. The Lower Loop is a remarkable place but it was in the less crowded Upper Loop, where I found peace and solitude, that I really felt connected to nature. To truly experience all the park has to offer, a visitor should see both.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

You can read more about my trip to Yellowstone by visiting my Lower Loop post.

Yellowstone Links:
Yellowstone National Park Official Site
Yellowstone Hotel and Tour Reservations

Date of trip: June 2009

Most summers, Will and I plan a National Park trip and this year we decided to visit the very first park, Yellowstone. Yellowstone was declared a National Park in 1872 when early explorers convinced President Ulysses Grant that it was a special place that should be protected. The park is massive, with the main roads dividing it into an upper and lower loop that form a figure eight. Ideally, a visitor should spend at least 2-3 days in each part.

Lower Loop Highlights:

-There are several lodging options in the Old Faithful area, but the most popular is the Old Faithful Inn, the largest log hotel in the world. The lobby of the inn is magnificent with a towering clock fireplace, a large array of places to sit and live music most nights. We stayed in one of the old house rooms with a private bathroom and although it was very charming, the plumbing wasn’t the best. Still, I can’t imagine visiting the park and not spending at least one night here. The hotel also has an excellent dining room and dinner reservations are recommended.

-The Old Faithful Inn is so named because it sits next to the world famous Old Faithful Geyser which erupts about every 45 minutes. The inn posts when it is expected to blow but they can be off by up to 30 minutes on either side of their projection. The geyser may not be the most impressive feature in the park but it is spectacular and, because it’s synonymous with Yellowstone, it should not be missed. Old Faithful Geyser is part of the Upper Geyser Basin which includes additional geysers and mineral pools and can be toured by following trails of pavement and wooden platforms. My favorite site in the area was the two-toned Morning Glory Pool, one of the prettiest in Yellowstone.

-At the Midway Geyser Basin hot water pours from Excelsior Geyser into the cold Firehole River creating rows of steam. Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the park’s largest is also here. If you’ve ever seen pictures of Yellowstone, you’ve no doubt seen one of this massive pool glistening in bright shades of blue and orange. It is so large that it’s impossible to get a photograph of the whole thing unless you take the Fairy Falls hike up to a hill overlooking it. The colors in the pool are actually reflections of the sun and sky so they do not show up as strongly on a cloudy day. If it is very cold or snowing, as it was when we visited, it may be almost completely obscured by steam. This is also a good area to spot bison. We watched a herd with babies cross the Firehole River early one morning during a storm;an image I will never forget.

-There is nothing quite like the sound of a bubbling mud pot and you can see the best example of one by visiting the Fountain Paint Pot in the Lower Geyser Basin. There are also some nice pools here, Celestine Pool and Silex Spring, and several geysers, some of which erupt almost constantly.

-Canyon Village is one of the busiest areas in the park. It has many places to shop and eat (don’t miss the grizzly berry ice cream) and a beautiful, state of the art Visitor’s Center where you can learn all about Yellowstone’s history. Nearby is the majestic Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which you can get amazing views of at various lookouts including the most popular near the colorful Artist’s Point. If you can handle the challenging hikes to the summits of the Upper and Lower Falls, they are both worth the effort.

-Although bison travel all over Yellowstone, the best place to see them in the lower loop is Hayden Valley. It’s very common to have a close encounter with them here because they graze around the roads. As long as you keep a safe distance and remain in your car, it’s a great experience. Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron are also located in the valley and shouldn’t be missed. Will and I could have stood in front of the smoking Dragon’s Mouth Spring for hours.

-Just north of Yellowstone Lake is Fishing Bridge, a major spawning area for cutthroat trout. Although fishing is not allowed, you can observe the fish in their active months and get a great view of the lake from the wooden bridge during the rest of the year. Yellowstone Lake is the largest in the park and it’s interesting because, although it looks calm, it sits on top of geysers and other geothermal features. There is some limited boating allowed but swimming is not safe. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is the oldest in the park and the most upscale. It has a 1920s feel complete with a gorgeous sun room where guests can have a drink while they enjoy looking out on the lake. It also has a fabulous restaurant considered the best in Yellowstone. Dinner reservations are a must, but you can probably stop in for breakfast or lunch unannounced.

-The Grant Village/West Thumb area is the closest to the southern entrance. Grant Village is a great place to spot elk and the West Thumb Geyser Basin is probably the most underrated basin area in Yellowstone. Its stunning pools and hot springs are just a quick walk from the parking lot.

The Lower Loop of Yellowstone is the caldera or crater area caused by massive volcanic eruptions that occurred hundreds of thousands, even millions of years ago. It is the more popular section of the park because it contains the best examples of the geothermal features that Yellowstone is known for: geysers and colorful mineral pools. Although there are a few other places in the world where such phenomena exist like Iceland and New Zealand, Yellowstone is the only place left completely in its natural state and not exploited as a power source. It is truly unlike any place on Earth and perhaps the greatest example of nature’s extreme power and strength to both create and destroy.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

You can read more about my trip to Yellowstone by visiting my Upper Loop post.

Yellowstone Links:
Yellowstone National Park Official Site
Yellowstone Hotel and Tour Reservations