The winter season has come to an end and I have finally returned to the "real" world. Besides nearly having a panic attack in a packed fast food joint, I am doing okay. Seriously, though, it is very strange not being in the park after getting used to the seclusion of the winter there. I think it will take some time to get used to.
The last few weeks of the winter were interesting. With the lack of traffic from West Yellowstone due to the plowing, the Snow Lodge was practically deserted during the day. Also, for a week, the temperatures got up above 40 (in fact they nearly reached 50 some days) and the world of Yellowstone became the world of slush. It was nice to be able to walk around without heavy clothing on, but if you were not careful your feet would become cold and soggy. Both the road plowing and the high temperatures definitely made it feel like winter was on the way out.
The last few days we were there, the temperatures became bitter cold again and were accompanied by strong winds. That, along with the fact that it began to flurry again, made me feel like the weather was having a grand time messing around with us. I had already packed up many of my severe weather clothes and I had to take a few of them back out in order to get back and forth from the dorms to the Snow Lodge. But, the weather never got bad enough to prevent us from getting out of the park this past Tuesday.
Monday the 12th was my last day in the basin and I had it all to myself. It is a strange feeling knowing that I was most likely all alone in the basin. This led to a paradox between two different feelings. The first was that I felt so small when surrounded by the thermal power of the Upper Geyser Basin. The other feeling was one of strength and discovery. It was almost like the basin was my own! Those two feelings together made the experience a magical one.
We finally left the park by bus at 7am on Tuesday. As we drove away, the anticipation of freedom from the seclusion of the park did not outweigh the poignant feeling one gets when leaving a close friend behind. Knowing that I would be back soon helped a bit. Yet, even though I have now spent extended periods of time in the park, I still feel a bit sad knowing that I will be away for awhile.
It has been a pleasure relating my experiences in the park this winter with you. I hope to continue in the same fashion this upcoming summer. It is good to know that my experiences in the park are being related to others so that you might also be inspired to come and work or play in America's greatest wonderland.
