This is my second trip to Yellowstone, almost exactly 10 years to the day, after the first. In 2005, I visited as part of my cross country move from Sandy Hook, CT to Portland, OR. I was 27, had just sold my house, ended a 6 year relationship, and was searching for my new place in life.
My good friend accompanied me on the journey and we spent almost a month wandering the U.S. At that point, I hadn't seen much of the world beyond the east coast, but that trip stirred something in me and laid the groundwork for what has become my current state of insatiable wanderlust.
Yellowstone was the first national park I'd seen and it absolutely blew my mind! I was lost, feeling alone and without purpose; unsure of what would happen when I finally did reach Portland. Ten years later, I look back fondly and it feels validating to return to this magical place as a confident, happy and successful 37 year old version of my younger self.
This time I made the trip with my best friend turned partner, and that made Yellowstone magical all over again. I've come full circle and it felt like my own personal (unplanned) celebration of sorts. I didn't take nearly as many photos as I did ten years ago. I guess, just experiencing the beauty of the place in person was enough. I didn't feel the need to photo document every moment like I did when I was moving through a decade ago. Although, I think I will go back through the photos from 2005 and share them here. All that documentation and I never did share those snapshots... But that's another thing entirely. For now, here's a selection from my Yellowstone 2015 photos, the ten year anniversary edition.
Scenery from along the way.
Sulphur caldron.
In 2005 my travel companion was grumpy when we rolled through Old Faithful. We had just missed its eruption and he didn't want to wait 90 minutes for the next "show," so I didn't it the first time around. So glad I caught it this time!
Old Faithful Geyser.
My partner in crime, checking out the view from up high.