yellowstone
A 4 a.m. tapping on the window was the last sound my roommate Lindsey and I expected or wanted to hear one Saturday morning. I cracked open the blinds with my one peeking eye. I discovered Ross and TeJay, our two friends, tempting us with hot chocolate and donuts to come to Yellowstone Park with them.
Showering seemed fruitless, contemplating the upcoming eggish geyser smell. Within fifteen minutes we were fully awake, bundled, and loaded in the car. The drive to Yellowstone from Rexburg, Idaho flew by in the company of great friends.
I also took the opportunity to bring my English homework along, with readings of stories and poems for a group interpretation. Ross proceeded then to explain why three hours of sleep is plenty for the normal person. It is no surprise what we were all doing during this stimulating conversation, ironically Zzzzz
If you are going to make this trek, autumn marks the perfect time when its not so cold and snowy. The travelling enjoyment soon heightened as we approached the entrance to Yellowstone, which only required $25 to enter this magical land. Yellowstone is mapped out with roads going around it, showing visitors all the best sights.
Luckily for us, these friends had carefully planned the day. They packed a picnic lunch which not only saved money, but also created a near camping experience. During our visit, we began moose and buffalo spotting contests. It was during this moment that I realized a very ignorant conception that had long been apart of my life.
Somehow in elementary school, I was under the impression that buffalo were instinct. I cant say for certain when this misnomer occurred, but I recall learning about the overkilling of buffalo by the white man, and see this as a possible culprit of my misconception. However it happened, the herds of buffalo that we spotted at Yellowstone became quite an eye opening experience for me.
I was determined under these circumstances to be the winner of this buffalo spotting game. There might also have been an ice cream come promised to the winner. The victory however lay in a much more creditable source. Thank goodness for the buffalo.
The array of wildlife, paired with the unsurpassed scenery and geysers galore, created quite a trip through the park. Our particular vehicle also came equiped with live music via TeJay and his guitar, when he decided in his Honduran accent that he was going to marinade us.
My gratitude for the bison continued to escalate after we dined at a local restaurant with specialties of venison, and you guessed it, buffalo burgers. I came home with a new list of experiences to add to my life very deficient of excitement.
With the monotony of going to class, going to work day after day, I found what buffalo taste like. I found the buffalo still lives. I found the extraordinary clockwork within the earth as Old Faithful spews its juices day after day. I wonder if it gets tired of that monotony. I hope not, because it's pretty exciting to see.
About the Author: Haylee Landford is a outdoor enthusiast who enjoys road trips with her family. She is frequently featured on several Land For Sale websites as a guest author. |
