Lindsay Cure-Hendrickson | Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone |  Digital Photograph | 2004

The Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace is the result of hot water ascending through the ancient limestone deposits. The trail is quit a hike, but breathtaking. On the walkways you can hear all the different languages of visitors from far off lands. The whole place was like a cave turned inside out. An early visitor to the park commented that it was like a fountain no human could ever design. The smell of sulfur fills the air, steam is in your face depending on the wind, and the colorful springs and mineral deposits are inspiring. Standing there was very surreal, surrounded by the dead trees and boiling water. I felt like I shouldn’t’ be there, and that I was on one of  Sesame Streets “One of these things is not like the other” skits. It makes me wonder what would happen if Yellowstone was not on the protected areas of the world list.