Ignorance truly is bliss.
To say that we were ignorant about what we’d find at Yellowstone National Park is a bit of an understatement. We knew the park contained a geyser called Old Faithful but not much beyond that. We assumed, given its close proximity to the adjoining Teton Range, we’d mostly find more of the same at Yellowstone: alpine lakes, mountains, and rugged natural beauty. What we found, instead, was like nothing we’d ever seen before.
Then again, we had never traveled around on top of an active volcano before either, which is what – we now know – Yellowstone really is. Or, more accurately, a “super volcano” whose last major eruption is estimated to have been 1,000 times more powerful than the 1980 blast at Mount Saint Helens.
Visitors wait for an eruption in Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin
Deep beneath Yellowstone’s surface still roils a blob of molten rock powerful enough to alter the entire landscape. In recent years an expanding magma reservoir has lifted sections of the park as much as ten full inches.
Rainwater and snowmelt, trickling through cracks and porous rock, eventually reaches this blazing hot lava. The resulting superheated water is driven by convection back toward the surface through a network of underground plumbing.
In some cases that plumbing is narrow and easily clogged, allowing immense pressure to build. Eventually, the pressure becomes so great that it dislodges the bottleneck and releases a spout of water commonly known as a geyser.
In other areas hot springs flow more freely, depositing dissolved minerals and creating waterfalls of colorful rock.
Palette Spring, Mammoth Hot Spring
Or barren looking wastelands.
And everywhere steam rises as if from a witches’ brew.
Oftentimes we go places and know exactly what to expect. Through photographs and stories and research, even entirely new locations can sometimes seem completely familiar. Other times, we’re totally caught off guard, as we were in Yellowstone National Park. How wonderfully refreshing. Ignorance really is bliss.
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For other looks at this most diverse of U.S. national parks also check out The Colors of Yellowstone and The Ordinary Beauty of Yellowstone.
Everywhere Once 
Going to volcanoes always blows me away by thinking that behind the docile appearance, a great power of destruction is hidden. But in my opinion, Yellowstone truly is the mother of all modern volcanoes.
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Holy Smokes!!!
no pun intended 🙂
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LOL
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I went to Yellowstone in June, and it took my breath away! sooo beautiful!
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Incredible – you’ve now put Yellowstone firmly on my list of places to visit.
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That’s our objective. 🙂
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Thanks for the pictures before it all ends up getting blown into the stratosphere! Seriously, great pics as always.
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Heh-heh-heh. People were worried for a bit when the ground started rising by a couple of inches. You never know.
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I’m surprised too…I had no idea what Yellowstone looked like. The picture of Mammoth Hot Spring was unexpected.
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It’s one of my favorite places in the country–seems like almost every landform can be found there. I went in early May, when there was still snow everywhere and no people except a few photographers and documentarians. Got to watch a wolf stalk a buffalo calf (didn’t get it) and then an antelope (didn’t get that, either). My whole experience there was nothing short of amazing.
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We think we need to come back through this whole area, from Southern Utah to the Canadian Rockies, in the winter. It all must be such a different place under a blanket of snow.
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Same here…a totally unique visit each time I’ve been.
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Truly amazing. Wonderful images. So surreal.
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Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing. I had no idea Yellowstone was so unique!
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There’s more to the story too. Stay tuned.
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When I visited the Rotorua area in New Zealand’s North Island, I thought, what amazing, fantastical formations of colored rock, steaming geysers, hot pools layered with bright orange and blue rocks. Nothing in the world could look quite like this. And then I remembered Yellowstone. I was only 15 when my family went there (and my sister and I were chased by a bear). But your post made me realize that I must go back and see it with new eyes.
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Yellowstone is pretty awesome, but I also hear incredible things about New Zealand – can’t wait to get there.
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You’ll love it. Even though it’s like Yellowstone, it’s got its own New Zealand character.
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Thanks for a quick trip home! Yellowstone Park is awesome, but I really know I am home when the Grand Tetons come into view! Congratulations on finding the way to a life of freedom and choice! What an empowering experience it is!
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This is a place I’d love to visit some day. Are there other areas of interest nearby?
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I watched a documentary once about the supervolcano under Yellowstone – frightening! But I definitely have always wanted to go to Yellowstone!
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We visited yellowstone in 1994 and were totally amazed like you. We knew nothing before we went and loved every minute. Thanks for reminding me!
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Your photos make me want to return to Yellowstone! ~ Kat
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How inspiring!
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One of my favorite places in all of America. I’ve been lucky enough to go a few times and it’s been a different experience every time.
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Nice thoughts at the end!
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