Our world can be a frantic and confusing place. Politics, crime, hate, and bad behaviors are too commonplace. To escape the confusion, stress, and anger of life, many of us take a vacation.
Yellowstone National Park is a destination that invites folks from around Earth. The unique sights and diversity of habitats and critters amaze all. I recently took some eastern friends for a park tour. Montana Grant has exposed many folks to the best park in the nation. For us living in SW Montana, you can enjoy the park in a day trip.
Old Faithful is an essential stop. Every 80-m 90 minutes or so, the geyser erupts. Back in the day the geyser faithfully erupted almost on the hour. Sadly, as things age, they slow down and change.
Old Faithful once served as the Park tourists clothes laundry. Sheets and laundry from the hotel were hung and placed into the steaming hot caldera. When the eruption exploded hot water onto the dirty laundry, it would be sterilized and cleaned. Lodgepole racks would make space to hang and dry the laundry.
Today, the NPS has created a walkway and benches around the geyser to allow folks to rest and wait for the eruptions. It is kinda like their way of making a United Nations rest area.
As we sat and waited for Old Faithful, to live up to her name, you could hear several foreign languages. Kids from around the world were playing together. Tourists were describing their first time see in g the geyser or talking about the excitement of their first time. Snacks were shared, smiles were displayed and peace on Earth was in full force.
One guy asked if I could scoot over so he could sit. “I just had back surgery and need to sit.” I could relate and we all made room. Tourists of all cultures, creeds, colors, and religion were sitting together waiting for super-hot water to shoot out from a hole in the ground.
Old Faithful finally erupted. The steam and water exploded into the air. As the water climbed to well over 100 feet, you could only hear the geyser. No one was talking, crying, whining, or distracted. Everyone was looking at Old Faithful, focused on this amazing geothermal event. For over 3 minutes we were all the same. No one was any more or any less special.
Surely our politicians, angry people, haters, and unhappy folks of the world can learn a lesson. Maybe come to the park and share a bench with other Americans’ and folks from around the world. Heck Old Faithful was once the place to clean any dirty laundry. Get a feel for why we need to stay free and peaceful, but most of all happy.
Thar She Blows!
Montana Grant
