Yellowstone National Park - Trolls 'n Hot Water

Lil Dude Troll checks out a pool of boiling water

The wonderland that is Yellowstone National Park contains within its borders the world's largest collection of hot springs, geysers and fumaroles. Almost 1/2 of all the geysers in the world are inside the park. 

Within these boiling waters, there is life. Microscopic organisms called thermophiles not only survive but thrive in this inhospitable environment.  Nourished by energy and chemicals in the hot springs, these microbes live in brilliantly-colored colonies. Some species are perfectly happy and healthy making their home in water so hot it would raise a blister on your skin and so acidic it is equivalent to the liquid in a car battery. Other organisms living in the hot springs are so tiny we can't see them, but we sure can smell them in the murky, sulfuric liquid pools that smell a lot like, but even worse than rotten eggs.

This pool of hot water looks shallow, but actually is about
6 feet deep. It appears shallow because the water is so clear. 

Some of these thermophiles are very similar to the very first forms of life capable of photosynthesis. These organisms, called cyanobacteria, are what created the atmosphere which would eventually support human life. Just think, the very first life on earth can still be found in Yellowstone National Park and without this very simple form of life, the earth would most likely be a very different place and you and I would not be here!

Streaker Troll takes in a fast flowing river fed by overflowing
pools of boiling water. 

Yellowstone National Park - part 1

Yellowstone National Park, the first national park, is one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world and should be on everyone's bucket list. The Troll family spent 8 days in the park and would have been happy to spend even more time there enjoying the natural wonders, gazing upon the amazing magnificent scenery and observing the diverse wildlife. 

The Trolls encourage you to make every effort to go see this amazing park for yourself. Take your time, take your warm clothes, take your binoculars and by all means, take your camera. Trust the Trolls, you want to see this for yourself! 

Be prepared to have patience as the buffalo often
block the roads as they cross or simply slowly walk
down the middle of them.

Steam rises from thermal vents alongside of a road
as the bison play.

Old Faithful

At the Old Faithful Lodge

Inside the Old Faithful Inn. Built in 1903 - 1904, the inn now
has 325 guest rooms and is a National Historic Landmark.  

You can watch Old Faithful erupt from the inn. Even if you
don't stay here, you should go inside to marvel at the huge
stone fireplace, wrought iron clock, and the majestic lobby
with its 80-foot exposed roof ridge above 2 floors of
balconies. 

Lil Dude along the Firehole River in the western part
of the park.

Along Firehole River near its confluence with the
Nez Perce Creek.

A rarely seen member of the Troll Family, Streaker Troll,
along the Firehole River above Goose Lake.  

Streaker Troll on the Firehole River in the Lower Geyser Basin.