Each morning — and even on a couple of nights — a mother deer visited our cabin for breakfast. We watched her quietly from the house; she surprised us further by giving birth to twins the day we left.
We saw more bears during the trip — a thrilling sight each time.
We also encountered bison grazing peacefully across the plains.
The canyon scenery was breathtaking, with layers of rock carved by time and light creating dramatic views at every turn.
Dragon Mouth Pool stood out for its thunderous sounds. The geyser sits in a small cove, and when gases rose they echoed off the rock face like a low roar. Steam drifting from the hot spring added to the otherworldly atmosphere.
We passed several other geysers and thermal features—each unique in shape, sound, and color. I admit I lost track of some names, but the impressions stayed with me.
Gibbon Falls provided a peaceful pause—water cascading over rock ledges framed by trees and open sky.
One of my favorite experiences was seeing the hot pools in person. I remember choosing a picture book about Yellowstone at a school book fair in fifth grade because the vivid photos of colorful pools and geysers fascinated me. Seeing them live proved that photographs can’t fully capture their intense hues, textures, and steam.
For dinner we found a lakeside restaurant. Clouds rolled in, but we still enjoyed the view. I ordered trout — a treat I rarely find back home in Alabama.
By the time we drove home, the clouds had turned to sleet and snow. A nearby lake had frozen over and, though it was too dark for a clear photo, the landscape felt like midwinter for most of the two-hour drive. It was the winter wonderland I long for each year.
The day was long and packed with sights I had never imagined seeing. I was surrounded by family who enjoyed watching my reactions; many of them had visited Yellowstone before and said they loved seeing it through my eyes. I feel very blessed to be part of such a family.