Books, books, books - On Yellowstone National Park

I just finished a book titled, Lost in My Own Backyard: A Walk in Yellowstone National Park by Tom Cahill.  This is the first book of Mr. Cahill's that I've read, and I can honestly say I'm looking forward to reading some more.

He describes some of his explorations in the park in a very humorous, yet sensible voice.  He makes no apologies that his book is not a guide to the park or a book on hiking trails.  His stories are amusing and made me laugh out loud at times.  It's a relatively short book and a quick read, but I suspect it will be one of those I go back to again and again.

I knew I was going to like the book when in the introduction Mr. Cahill describes a conversation with one of his hiking/exploring partners and well known Yellowstone photographer, Tom Murphy.  Mr. Cahill asks Mr. Murphy if he had ever been lost in Yellowstone, and Mr. Murphy responded, "No, but there were times I didn't know exactly where I was."

This is my kinda guy!  In all of my life, I've never been lost.  Off track maybe, but not lost!

Reading this book got me to thinking of all the books I've acquired over the years on Yellowstone and surprisingly enough many of the books I own are on his list of books he suggests as great resources on the park.  Either this means I'm really good at picking out resources on Yellowstone, or he and I both have the same tastes and reading style.   I suppose it could be both.

Other books I've read on Yellowstone are Death In Yellowstone Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park by Lee H. Whittlesey.  This book describes all manner of stupidity that visitors to Yellowstone display.  I have firsthand experience in witnessing this stupidity.  It amazes me how many people just don't get that Yellowstone is  wilderness area and it's not some Disney adventure park.

Some of the deaths described in the book are truly horrific.  For instance the man who dove head first into Celestine Pool to rescue his friend's dog that had escaped the vehicle.  Celestine Pool, according to the book, measured at 202° F.  The man suffered third degree burns over 100% of his body and died the next day.  Sadly, the dog did not survive either.  Apparently the literature the two men were given upon entering the park extolling the dangers they could possibly encounter was still in their vehicle.  Unread.

My advice to anyone heading to Yellowstone for the first time, would be to read this book.  If you learn something from reading it, then head on to the park and enjoy all the wonders Yellowstone has to offer.  If you think it's a bunch of malarkey and the rules don't apply to you, then please stay home and spare the rest of us your stupidity.

Another book Mr. Whittlesey is a contributing author on is The Guide to Yellowstone Waterfalls and Their Discovery.  This book is very informative (and has some great photography) that describes many of Yellowstone's waterfalls and even directs people on where and how to find the various falls.  The authors took many years to explore the park looking for waterfalls and do advise the reader on the level of difficulty to get to each of the falls, as well as whether it is even prudent to attempt to reach some of the falls.  Now, I've done a few of the hikes to see some of the falls, and I'm smart enough to know that if the three men who undertook this endeavor, and for all intents and purposes, are "experts" in the field of surviving in the wilderness, say "don't go there," then I'm not going there.  Unfortunately, there are some folks who don't have the desire to see another waterfall on another day, and will attempt getting to the most difficult to access falls.  Maybe one day, they will be chronicled in Death in Yellowstone Vol. II.

Other books I would recommend on Yellowstone are:

Best Easy Day Hikes Yellowstone by Bill Schneider

Peterson Field Guides: Rocky Mountain Wildflowers

And just because if there's poop to be found, I *will* find it, I include, Who Pooped in the Park?  Yellowstone National Park by Gary D. Robson and Elijah Brady Clark

Yellowstone National Park - You Gotta Go!!

A couple of weeks ago, I made a spur of the moment decision to head up to Yellowstone National Park over the long Labor Day weekend.  At the time there were no accommodations available in the park, so I reserved a hotel in West Yellowstone, MT.  Staying in the park is much more appealing to me, but I considered myself lucky to have found anything within a hundred mile radius of the park.  A few days before the trip, I scored big time and found a couple of cabins in the Canyon area of the park.  Yippeeee!!

 

Canyon Cabins

The cabins were "rustic" but clean.  In reading some reviews on these particular cabins, I noticed people tended to complain on the lack of amenities such as televisions, telephones, internet access, etc.  There were also many complaints on the cabins being old and rundown.  I found all of this quite amusing, especially having seen all of this information on the Xanterra website over the past 8 or 9 years.  Xanterra is the company that runs all of the concessions in the park, including food and lodging.  They are brutally honest about the amenities provided, so there should be no room for doubt on what to expect.  They state specifically, "In Yellowstone, televisions, radios, air conditioning, and wireless internet is not available.  In-room phones are not available at all locations.  Cell phone coverage is very limited throughout the park.  Swimming pools are not available."  Pretty clear, no?  Apparently not.

Their website also informs the reader that these cabins were built in the 1950s and have only undergone "basic" renovations in the past several years.  Read that again, "basic."  Some of the other cabins in the park were built in the 1920s, so you know we aren't talking 5 star resort/spa facilities.

Frankly, for my purposes, the cabins are perfect.  They're in the park, they're clean, and the beds are comfy.  Staying in the park cabins just adds to the ambiance of being in one of the most beautiful and rugged areas of our country.  There's a lot to be said for ambiance.  *I'm* not looking for five star resort quality accomodations in a national park.  I'm looking for someplace clean and dry to lay my head after a long day of hiking, photography, sightseeing, and avoiding large furry animals in the road.

 

He can take out a large car; I've seen it happen.

I love Yellowstone Park.  My dream job I think would be to a park ranger.  In Yellowstone.  In the summer.

My only issue would be trying to control myself while dealing with people who are ignorant of the fact that Yellowstone is a wild and potentially dangerous environment.  Worse yet, would be trying to deal with the people who are aware of the dangers, yet choose to ignore them.  Each time I visit the park, I am amazed and dismayed by some of the things people do.  For instance, this past trip, we came back to our cabin after a day out exploring and were greeted by a couple with two small children.  They were very excited about a bison that was lounging in the grass in front of another cabin just down the road.  They felt we really should go see this, and they proceeded to tell the children (the oldest being *maybe* 7 or 8) to LEAD US TO WHERE THE BISON WAS RESTING!  What?!  Are you kidding me?!  They were happily sending these kids off with complete strangers AND asking them to lead us to a very large, unpredictable, and dangerous animal.

Four people on average are injured by bison in the park each year.  That may not sound like very many, unless you are one of those four.

So, I'm not so sure it would be a good fit if I was to have to deal with that sort of stupidity on a daily basis.  As most of you know, I don't suffer fools well.

Yellowstone has got to be one of the most beautiful and amazing places on earth.  The landscape is so varied that it's very difficult to describe.  How about some photos instead?

 

Lake Yellowstone

 

Lower Falls

Mammoth Hot Springs

Hayden Valley

Norris Geyser Basin

a bird that joined us for a picnic

It's essential to plan ahead if you're wanting to stay in the park; especially if there is a particular area you are crazy about.  My favorite place to stay is the Lake Yellowstone Cabins which are situated, oddly enough, near Lake Yellowstone.

Lake Yellowstone Cabins

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These cabins have been refurbished over the past few years and aren't quite as rustic as the cabins in the Canyon area.  It's an easy walk to the lake to watch the sunrise or sunset (take someone with you); and deer, bison, bear, and coyote frequent the area, which is why you don't want to wander off alone. 

All in all, I think it's the best location in the park.

I can't wait to go back!  In fact, I just booked another week long stay for next August. 

Only 332 days to go.  Not as if I'm counting or anything.