Traveling over two-thousand miles, I thought that I wouldn’t see a familiar face for quite some time. Experience, however, tells me that this often isn’t the case. For instance, I have a friend who moved to Casper, Wyoming and we plan to do some fishing this summer, two of my college friends will be in Montana next month and we are hoping to get together, and a friend that I met in Congaree is working in Yellowstone this summer and she is staying in the same dorm as me. However large the western landscape, this is certainly a small world.
It took two whole weeks before I received a visitor. Claudia, another friend that I met back at Congaree, was primarily visiting to inquire about employment in a geological capacity. I was thrilled to learn that she and her brother were interested in a personal tour of the park. I made no promise of my interpretation of the park’s wonderful sights but I did guarantee good company and adventure.
Sunday morning, we met at Old Faithful, an easy landmark to find, even if it isn’t my favorite thermal feature. In full tourist mode, I hung a camera around my neck and toted two lenses. Claudia and I picked up right from where we left off. It’s hard to believe that we’ve known each other for such a short amount of time. I caught the last two weeks of her stay in Congaree when I started. Over the years, I discovered that time is an inaccurate measure of friendship. We both feel that we’ve known each other longer than that. Additionally, I was delighted to meet and get to know her brother, Carlos. From there, I learned that neither of them had visited Yellowstone. I was honored to introduce and share this amazing place with them.
Although I’ve been enjoying my solo excursions of late, I was happy to revisit the popular attractions with friends. After working our way through the Old Faithful area, I took them to West Thumb, a dear place of mine. West Thumb has produced a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart because it was the first geyser basin that Jill and I explored when we visited about ten years ago. Yellowstone never feels that far away from home because we experienced this wonder together.
I was surprised by how many pictures they take. Different angles of the subject with different combinations of people were required for each stop. Claudia warned me but I didn’t mind. We stayed in these areas a little longer and I thought of it as added entertainment. Sometimes, I participated; sometimes, I did not.
While in the Lake Area, I had to take them on the short hike to Storm Point. It was, after all, a warm day with a beautiful blue sky. The walk was pleasant. In the time it took to do this, a storm was brewing. Dark clouds were forming in the distance and the wind was picking up. Lightning flashed in the distance. At the point, white caps rose from the water. We stayed as the storm built in intensity. I’m surprised that we didn’t get caught in a downpour on the way back. Sand stung our backs as we made our way towards the tree line. Once in the forest, the skinny lodgepole pines crashed together. It was a not a safe place to shelter. As we exited, the storm was passing and we were no worse for wear.
Near to the car, we saw something working the meadow across the road. People were gathered in attention. To Claudia and Carlos, I declared that the grey form was a coyote. My party didn’t question my identification but a middle-aged woman with leathery skin and stern eyes turned and challenged, “Are you sure that isn’t a wolf?” There are so many of this type of tourist in the park — every dog is a wolf. Up for the contest, I replied as a wildlife professional, “I observe a good spring in its step — a characteristic of a coyote and not a wolf.” The woman nodded indecisively. Then, the subject turned and came closer. I vocalized what we were seeing, “a coyote has a narrow snout with small nose and larger ears, similar to what we see here.” There was clearly a disgusted look on the woman’s face. I enhanced my analysis, “this hunting style is indicative of a coyote looking for a mouse or other small mammal.” As if queued, suddenly, the canid pounced on something small. “A wolf generally will not waste its time on such a small quarry.” The woman walked past and shook her head in disbelief. She walked towards a ranger that was standing not far to my right and asked him about the canid. He replied that it was a coyote and basically reiterated what I said. She was not happy. Nonetheless, I only offered what I knew.
The remainder of the day consisted of ducking in here and there. I tried my best as a guide to show them what I could in the remaining daylight. Mammoth Hot Springs was our final stop on this tour. Although I live across the street, this was the first time that I visited the travertine terrace since moving to Mammoth. They seemed pleased with my effort and the experience. I was pleased with the company and our conversation.
I dropped them off at Old Faithful well after dark. I was tired from the day but sad to see Claudia go. I never thought that I would see her so soon after Congaree. I don’t know when I’ll see her again.