Fog hugged the trees as we started our drive,
a quiet, gray hush like the world just woke up.

Then snow—huge flakes, drifting slow,
softening the road and silencing the sky.

An elk’s skeleton rested not far from the trail,
a gentle reminder: that time leaves behind both beauty and pain.

Steam rose from a mud pot, ancient and wise,
Earth’s breath exhaled toward crystalline skies.
It bubbled its secrets in sulfur and sound,
where fire and water still battle underground. 

By the time we arrived, the sky cleared its face,
and sunlight spilled golden across sacred space.
The canyon yawned wide, immense and serene,
a cathedral of stone in burnt orange and green. 

We thought of Thomas Moran,
how he must’ve seen it—
that same impossible light
stretching over stone and story.

We followed the sound of falling water,
a hidden waterfall singing in stone.

And somewhere between the snow, the steam, the bones, and the view—
we learned.

Not just about rocks or rivers, but about wonder.

The snow is falling
The windshield crack keeps growing
Cold safari time? 

Will the roads be open?
But will we see anything?
What do we do now?!

Serotinous cones 
Source of life after fire 
The mighty lodgepole

Bighorn sheep we want
Driving to the Grand Canyon 
Curvy roads winding

What is a hoodoo? 
spires standing, cliffs above 
The peregrine watches.

Baby big horn sheep
Snuggling next to his mama
Hiding in the cliff

Peregrine falcon
Hidden away from most eyes
Thanks Fred for the find! 

Feel All four seasons
Seeing different landscapes
Scenic four mile hike

Picturesque in blue
Geothermal waters
Snowshoe hare ears up

Bubbling mud pot
Gurgle. Gurgle. Gurgle. Pop! 
Stay far, far away

Smells like rotten eggs
Coming up from down below
Steaming in the snow

A lake of lilies
A mother mallard swimming
Her ducklings in tow

Teachers know a lot
Working to help everyone 
A Jack of all trades 

Hiking through snow
The majestic falls emerge
Hidden in the mist

Thundering water 
Crashing down for centuries
Carving the canyon

One van looked at birds 
While a wolf came running by
Missed a good picture 

White pelicans dance
14 inch bill, gulping fish 
Synchronous feeding

Baby grizzly cubs
Follow behind their mama
Traipsing through the snow

No time for naps now
It’s Yellowstone after all
Sleep when you are dead

We apologize for the late post and lack of pictures, but cell service has been very limited! We’ll add more later.