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The story behind the photo: In the summer of 1998, I
took it upon myself not to sleep my mornings before work away. I
would go to work at my job in Hamilton Stores in Grant Village at noon,
with lunch at 11 AM. That usually left me with about three or four
hours to hike. The furthest morning day hike I took was to Fairy
Falls and out to Imperial Geyser. The total hike was between six
and seven miles, but it was very flat. What's more, I was the only
person on the trail, which took me behind the Grand Prismatic Spring and
concluded with very two very active and lonely geysers. The highlight
for me, being a waterfall lover was Fairy Falls, which you see before you.
From the picture, it is hard to tell that this waterfall is 197 feet high
(that is higher than Niagara Falls) and is Yellowstone's fourth highest
waterfall. While I was the only human on the trailhead, many marmots
joined me in adoration of this very pretty drop. If you look carefully,
you can see one of the marmots in the lower right corner of the photograph.
While I did not leave myself much time to savor the moment, you cannot
know how much more easily it is to savor the moments in Wonderland one
has when one can savor them with the knowledge that tourists are not around
you. But, if you go to Fairy Falls, this is a popular day hike, and
you likely will not be alone. I just happened to time it right, and
for that I have a wonderful memory and a lifetime of love.
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