Johnstons Wild West Tour: Welcome to Yellowstone National Park!

We finally arrived at the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park after a wonderfully scenic drive through/past Cody, Wyoming. Immediately, we were back in colder temperatures, mountains at higher elevations (10,566 ft), and more snow! We stopped several times to let the boys play in the snow until their hands were red and freezing! We even drove through an avalanche zone! It had snowed in the higher elevations on Saturday/Sunday which had only added to the 800 plus inches they received thoughout the winter and spring.
As we descended to lower elevations, we saw the results of the seasons' snow in the form of high water levels at Yellowstone Lake and a fast-running Yellowstone River with amazing rapids and waterfalls! Without so much snow, the lake, river, and falls would not have been so amazing! In addition, park administration is not quite as concerned about the summer and fall fires since the ground is saturated. In talking to a ranger, he said the park officials prefer that between 5,000 and 10,000 acres of forest to burn each year in order to prevent extremely large fires following years without any fire.
On with our tour on Monday! As we left the Lake area, we stopped by the Mud Volcano area and caught up with a ranger tour. We learned about the mud pots which have sulphuric acid in them which dissolves the rock thus making mud. In addition, the sulphuric gases cause the mud to bubble and emit the terrible odor of sulphur like rotten eggs or fireworks. Austin did not enjoy the smelly part at all! At the end of the tour at Dragon's Mouth Spring, the ranger told a story of how many Native Americans believe that this spring is where creation began for their groups. He commented how interesting it is that regardless of time or place, it is the desire of all people to understand creation and the One who creates.