I had known about Yellowstone National Park attractions since I was a teenager, but never thought the day would come when I would be able to see all these things in reality.
Well, in June, 2015 the miracle happened!!!
While driving North from Nevada (where we spent the winter) back to Canada, I noticed on the map that the road crossing the magnificent park was an option… We were running a little out of time, but being so close it was a shame to skip it. Oh, how happy I was when my husband confirmed that yes, we could do it!
Here is a comprehensive story of our one-day trip though the famous park.
** I uploaded some of my photos below to my Fine Art America gallery, where they are available as art prints. Just follow the links in the captions to see them with all the options:
Yellowstone National Park Attractions viewed in a one-day trip
After passing the Grand Tetons National Park going North, we shortly arrived in the park at the South Entrance. This one is a less attractive entrance, but it is still beautiful. Not far from this place we noticed that we were at the point of the Continental Divide at an altitude of 7088 feet – wow, we were quite high…
* I’m proud that I won the first place in a contest at Fine Art America. It was about images taken while driving and showing part of the car 🙂
There are several itineraries you can take in the park, but we went down a random road – we always do… The first stop was of course at the Old Faithful Inn, where we parked the car. This hotel is located in the Upper Geyser Basin. It was close to the designated board walks, and I took them to see some of the famous Yellowstone National Park attractions: geysers, hot springs and pools.
The Geysers of Yellowstone
The first thing I saw was the Castle Geyser, with a sign predicting the next eruption. First I thought I didn’t see well, but looking more attentively, I clearly read the text – the next eruption was supposed to happen the next day!!! I heard scary things about the Yellowstone Park danger of eruptions, but I didn’t know what the consequences would be for this one…
I was wondering what all the people around me were thinking about this, but they all looked relaxed and enjoying their free time…hmm!
After we left, I checked the news for the next few days, but couldn’t find anything… I arrived at the conclusion that most probably eruptions here are a common thing. More than this, it is actually a good thing that they happen, because they release a little of the pressure of whole volcano underneath.
** It looks like we are living under the specter of a big eruption, which I read has became quite threatening: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/04/18/yellowstone-volcano-bigger-than-thought
The boardwalks are totally secure, and there is no danger at all exploring the literally boiling environment around, if you follow the park rules. Left and right there are geysers and fizzy bubbling and fuming pools. The landscape reminded me of some scary SF movies. I made some of them more artistically in the digital media 🙂
Now, it depends on how you look at things too….
Stunning colors
All these uncommon manifestations of mother nature can actually appear to be very interesting and beautiful (after you get a little used to them and relax). The colors of all the toxic fuming waters along with the calcareous deposits around them, are quite amazing, if not obnoxious so to say…
- It looks like these purple flowers like volcanic soil – we’ve seen them at the Craters of Moon in Idaho as well.
Old Faithful Geyser
One of the main Yellowstone National Park attractions is nevertheless the Old Faithful Geyser. It’s supposed to erupt every hour or so, and if you have time and patience you can see it in its full “splendor”.
More stunning scenery and Yellowstone National Park attractions
We had to keep moving.The next sightseeing while driving North was at the Lower Geyser Basin, along the Firehole River
Summer storm in Yellowstone National Park
It was cloudy and the rain was quite imminent. Passing through Norris Point on the way to Gardner River, I was blown away by the incredibly beautiful greens revealed by the light before the storm!
As we were driving up the hills, the storm has suddenly arrived – To me it was beautiful and I would say it was one of the Yellowstone National Park attractions in the summertime.
I couldn’t resist taking this photo with all the water drops on the windshield, sparkling in the sun
The visibility was not ideal I would say, but fortunately it didn’t last too long 🙂 I made this one as a painting in the digital media.
Wildlife in Yellowstone
The sun reappeared and the wildlife came out for a nice snack 🙂 Deer and Moose were all together in the pasture. I’ve never seen so many in one place.
I agree that our wildlife experience was not very extensive. There is much more out there if you have the time to explore… When it comes to Yellowstone National Park attractions, a one day trip can become quite long – with so many things to see!
We were almost at the end, and after driving trough this high pass between the mountains, we approached the North entrance (our exist)
But the end was not quite as close as we thought. – Another fascinating area was just about to reveal 🙂
Mammoth Springs at Yellowstone
We spent about an hour looking around and taking photos – who could imagine it was so beautiful 🙂
This was our one day journey into the milieu Yellowstone National Park. We didn’t really know what to expect and the best itinerary to take. But you can take a guided tour with all the knowledge and advice you need. Click here to see the most popular tours to Yellowstone and the touristic areas around, including: Grand Teton, Jackson, Antelope Canyon and California Theme Parks.
Made in 2015, I updated this post today with my new uploads.
Monaco was on my bucket list for a long time, but I have to admit that I had never dared to even dream of visiting it. I should have said actually Monaco and Monte Carlo, because both these famous names are part of the independent principality of Monaco on the French Riviera.
Well, I did it in 2009, thank to my dear husband who unfortunately, now became a memory as well… This trip was a gift from him for my birthday.
In that sunny day of June, I took of course as many photos as I could. I also uploaded many of them to my Fine Art America gallery and they are available as art prints. This is photo of the casino and residential area around it, viewed from the marina. * I actually sold a print of it from my Society 6 shop 🙂
I knew about this place since I was quite young, and that was mainly related to the American actress Grace Kelly. The princess’s tragic accident shocked the world. However, this independent principality of South-Western Europe was very well known even before. Its glory came with the famous luxurious Monte Carlo Casino and of course with the Grand Prix Formula One car race.
** In the first days of June they were just preparing the race track, starting right in front of the Monte Carlo harbor. I hope you can see it.
Monaco but especially Monte Carlo is a place of many legends and Hollywood movies, and it is also an expensive dream travel destination. However, many things are feasible if you have a creative mind like my husband does 🙂
Monaco one day visit
In order to arrive to our destination, we traveled all along the French Riviera – not too bad, is it 🙂 My husband found an affordable B&B hotel in Eze – one of the closest French villages to Monaco, shown in my previous article. From there, the next day we drove along the coast and spent many hours in this fantastic place.
Needless to say that we were both in a Wow! :)… It was almost like a fiction… While driving trough the narrow busy streets of Monte Carlo we tried to see as much as possible. There were so many luxurious buildings left and right, including hotels, restaurants and businesses… We would have walked more, but there was no place to park. We eventually found a spot for a few minutes, and I was able to take some quick shots.
I made this one as a digital watercolor painting:
The whole principality is surrounded by the Mediterranean Alps and several bridges are facilitating the crossing from one side to another.
Fortunately parking was possible up the hill, but on the so called Le Rocher. There is where the Royal palace actually is, which is what I wanted to see 🙂
The Prince’s Palace is the current residence of prince Albert II, son of Prince Rainier III and Grace, Princess of Monaco (Grace Kelly). * He’s a the brother of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and Princess Stéphanie. In July 2011, Prince Albert married Charlene Wittstock.
Part of the palace is open to the public in the summer season. However you have to leave the cameras at the entrance 🙁 Well, we had to follow the rules, so… We did with big regret, because what we’ve seen inside was absolutely marvelous. Besides valuable pieces of art, we could also admire a life size standing portrait of Princess Grace.
The statue below was made in the memory of Prince Rainier III. I just loved the seagull on top of it at that moment 🙂
Both he and his father updated and modernized the building, which initially was a fortress. The changing guard however is still there.
The view of the Mediterranean from above is magnificent. Here is where wealthy people have their villas, condos and yachts:
… and this is what it looks like viewed from the bottom of the hill:
Le Rocher (The Rock) is the historic downtown of the city of Monaco, very busy in all seasons. We wandered through the old narrow streets full of restaurants, small shops and tourists. There are old apartment buildings there too – probably very expensive as well…
Again, I made some of my photos look painterly using the digital media:
In Europe, the restaurants are empty between the lunch and dinner ours… This is one of the many restaurants with tables outside on the pedestrians streets downtown:
I will end my post for now with a view from inside of a beautiful small church downtown the historic Monaco. Thank God and my husband for giving me the opportunity to visit this place! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed the Monaco one day visit viewed through my camera. Click on the photos to see them in the original gallery along with many others that I couldn’t post on this one page article.
I initially made this post in 2019 and just updated it with some more images.
RDP Sunday: follow
When you visit the Sherbrooke pioneer village Nova Scotia you literally travel back in time. This is just one of a few historic live museums in Canada, so interesting to go and explore. I heard about places like this where people live like they did centuries ago. I’ve never seen one though until we visited Sherbrooke. I can say that it was quite an experience, and why not to confess, a little shocking at first sight… People were living there a second time around – if I can say that 🙂
As you can see, they are dressed like in the 1800s, when the village experienced a golden rush era. The museum is actually part of the Sherbrooke village, on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. It took the name from Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia at that time.
The Sherbrooke Pioneer Village Live Museum, Nova Scotia
Here in the live museum, you will see beautiful well preserved historic houses, establishments, shops, and official buildings from two centuries ago. * Click on the photos for a larger view! – (I digitally altered some for more vibrancy).
… And people are there like they have never left.. This smiling lady was proudly wearing her beautiful dress, while walking down the alley:
… and the pharmacist got mail – I hope she will not get tears
What impressed me most was the 18’h century pharmacy, equipped with all the tools and artifacts from that time.
A young student was volunteering to help the museum in his spare-time. Another lady, was actually making lotions for the museum to sell in their gift shop.
I also loved entering into the craft shop to admire the process of quilt and tapestry making.
The elder quilt maker lady sitting in front of the window gave me goose bumps on the spine. She somehow reminded me of the Vermeer’s tiles 🙂 Far from pretending to make a replica of the classic master artwork, I tried a digital painting portrait of her.
They have transportation too, in wooden (red) wagons pulled by horses, but with rubber tires. Here is a digital painting of one:
Second time around? This is what I felt like when visiting this place… What do you think?
** I updated this post today by adding new photos and digital work from my Fine Art America gallery
Initially posted in April13, 2020, and submitted to: Tuesday Photo Challenge – Travel | Lens-Artists Challenge #92 – Second Time Around – Going back