There’s nothing quite like visiting Yellowstone or any national park to rekindle appreciation for God’s creation. Standing before pristine lakes and winding streams, I’m reminded of how He filled this world with beauty and how it reveals the astonishing variety of flora and fauna we enjoy.
Consider this: God could have fashioned a dull, colorless planet—dry, brown, and sparsely populated with life. How empty and uninspiring that would have been. Instead, He crafted an earth overflowing with majesty, a world that continually renews itself so its beauty endures from generation to generation.
And His creative work hasn’t stopped. Even now, for example, entire galaxies are forming in the vastness of space, a testament to a God who never ceases to create, sustain, and give.
Inspiring Yellowstone Visit
Our recent trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton brought these truths to life for me. Visiting these parks for the first time, I was captivated by their immensity, their distinct character, and their breathtaking splendor. Every vista felt like a reminder of the greatness of our Lord.
Here are a few photos from our adventure—moments that left me in awe of both the landscape and the One who shaped it.
Who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength. – Psalm 65:6
Geysers Galore
Yellowstone sits atop one of the largest active volcanic systems on Earth. Moreover, it contains more geysers than any other place in the world—approximately 500 in total. Excitedly, I found each one of them uniquely interesting.
Encountering the wild
If you enjoy looking at wildlife, you won’t be disappointed in Yellowstone or Grand Teton. Black and grizzly bears, bison elk, wolves, mountain lions, and many hoofed animals freely roam the parks-as well as nearly 300 species of birds.
Oddly, we didn’t see any bears, wolves or mountain lions on our trip, and, frankly, we were okay with that. Unless, of course, we could have spotted them from a safe distance.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountain… You, Lord preserve both people and animals. Psalm 36:6
The hike that became a rescue
On our final day, we planned a 3-mile hike to the top of Targhee ski resort near our rental in Driggs. While Yellowstone had been our focus in the region, the views here did not disappoint. We felt the hike would be manageable for all of us. The young agent assured us the trail wasn’t steep, winding gradually around the mountain. He added it should take about an hour and a half.
We set out at noon, expecting to be back by 1:30. However, what we failed to consider were two important details. First, the agent who called the trail “easy” was about twenty years old. We were all considerably older. Second, the summit sits at nearly 10,000 feet. Coming from Tennessee, where the elevation is around 500 feet, we hadn’t appreciated how the thinner air would affect us. The altitude would slow us more than we expected.
Partway up we noticed a sign that said the ski lift would close at 5:00 PM and anyone who missed it should be prepared to walk back down. No problem, we thought—we’d reach the top long before then.
Not so fast!
The trail quickly proved more challenging than expected, with steep rocky sections – some near scary ledges.
One member of our group has an artificial leg. She’s incredibly fit and determined, but climbing required nearly twice the effort for her. The altitude and heat hit her hard; she became nauseated and began vomiting. Still, she pressed on, but the sickness worsened and dehydration set in. Eventually, she could only walk a few feet before needing to stop. About three fourths of the way up, it became clear she couldn’t continue—and it was too far to turn back.
What now?
Three of us decided to push ahead, hoping to reach the chairlift before 5:00 PM so we could call for help. If we didn’t make it in time, it would be disastrous. Everyone was exhausted and almost out of water and the thought of getting down the mountain on our own before dark seemed very unlikely as it was already nearing 4:00 PM.
Luckily, we made it to the summit just in time. When we got near the top, my husband ran ahead and asked the operator to call for help. The three of us then waited at the summit until we were sure someone had arrived to get the rest of our group, then we jumped on the very last chair lift going down.
Incredible saviors
Thankfully, the ski patrol had reached our partners with ATVs and brought them safely down the mountain. Their professionalism—and kindness made our day!
After a little rest and a lot of water, everyone fully recovered and we went out and enjoyed a well-deserved, delicious Thai dinner that evening.
The best part of any trip is enjoying it all with family and friends – even when we don’t make the best decisions. Memories were made that will last a lifetime, and we can’t wait for our next adventure!
We are looking forward to exploring more national parks in the US and in Canada. What are some of your favorites you’d recommend?
The beauty that leaves us without excuse
Some claim there is no God because they see no evidence of Him. Yet I find that evidence boldly displayed in every mountain and valley, every flower and animal, every rushing stream and radiant sunset, and in every person uniquely crafted in His image. Creation flourishes with His handiwork, and humanity—despite its pride—holds remarkably little control over any of it.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with such a beautiful world to inhabit and explore.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV
I hope this post about the wonders of Yellowstone has shown you how travel can ignite a sense of gratitude. To see how gratitude can also enhance your travel experiences, check out the following.
How Gratitude Enhances Travel Experiences – Duking Out Life
