2013-06-08 01:01:03Aurora

世界50個必遊景點之一>>黃石公園 Yellowstone National Park

昨天發高燒趕報告
I had a fever and final draft due yesterday
真的沒有時間生出遊記 Sorry :(
so I didn't have time to write this, sorry !!!
為了要表達我的誠意
In order to show how bad I felt that I skip one day
今天我決定介紹一個大景點
I decided to give u something big~
那就是每次都會榮登旅遊書排名的世界50大必遊景點之一
that is: the place would always on the list of the 50 World Must Visit Place
黃石國家公園 !!!!!!
Yellowstone National Park!!!!!



黃石公園佔地之廣大讓它涵蓋了3個州
Yellowstone is huge, it covers 3 states
其中面積最大的是懷俄明州(96%), 其他兩個是蒙大拿和愛達荷州
the biggest one is Wyoming (96%), the other two are Montana and Idaho
黃石公園之所以年年吸引上百萬遊客
one of the reason why there are million visitors per year in Yellowstone
原因之一是因為它貴為世界上第一個國家公園
is because it is the first national park in the world 
黃石公園以豐富的地熱景觀和自然生態舉世聞名
it is famous for it's Geothermal Energy and natural environment
而且涵蓋面積有8983平方公里
and this park is 8983 square meters, that's huge 
差不多是三分之一個台灣這麼大了.....
it's almost one third of Taiwan...


另外一個黃石公園如此有名的原因是
another reason why it is so famous is because
它是北美洲最大而且仍處於活躍狀態的火山地質
It is the biggest active volcano system in North America
簡單的說
to be short,
它是個超級火山
it is a super volcano


但我相信科學家一定有很密切地掌控它所有的地熱活動
but I am sure all the scientists are very careful about this and keep their eyes on it
所以大家也不要想太多
so don't worry too much people!


接下來進入正題
k, now the show starts :)
黃石公園是繼阿拉斯加和馬爾地夫之後我第三個一直很想到訪的地方
Yellowstone is the place I want to visit after Alaska and Maldives
but who knows I visited Yellowstone first!
終於在2011年的夏天我因為參加了W&T並且如願以償分配到黃石公園附近 :)
Summer in 2011, I was on W&T program again 
and as I wished, I worked at somewhere close enough to Yellowstone
(下次會有一集介紹黃石公園周邊其他好玩的地方喔~~敬請期待)
(will talk about places around Yellowstone area sometimes, please looking forward to it)


我工作的地方離黃石公園的東側入口大概不到一小時車程
where I worked is less then 1 hour away from the East Entrance of Yellowstone
據說黃石公園的東側入口也是每年最多遊客進出地方
and I think the east entrance has most visitors come in than othen entrances
進去國家公園是要門票的喔
and you need to pay to go into a National Park in America
一台車是25美金
it is 25 USD for one vehicle
效期是一星期, 而且憑黃石公園的票還可以參觀附近的另依個大堤頓國家公園
and it is valid for one week, plus, you can go to Grand Teton with the same receipt
物超所值阿!!!!!!
totally worth it!!!
畢竟黃石公園這麼大個地方也是需要經費維護的
after all, this big park needs money to maintain lots of things
所以其實我覺得要收費這回事很合理
so I think it is reasonable to pay to visit


黃石公園有很美很美的景觀
the view in the park is breath taking
記得我第一次去的時候已經是六月底了,
I remember it was the end of the June for my first visit
旁邊的積雪還沒有融化完, 窗外的風也是透心涼~~
there are some snow on the road didn't melt yet
and the wind is cooling me off (L)


首先會經過的大地標就是黃石湖
the first big spot you will meet is Yellowstone Lake
這個湖超大, 面積有352平方公里, 比台北市還大!!!!
it is HUGE, it's 352 square meters, bigger than Taipei City!!!!!!
我很喜歡待在湖邊
I really like to stay next to the lake
公園管理處也很貼心的在那裡設置野餐桌
and there are some picnic tables 

天氣晴朗的時候可以遠眺大堤頓山脈
you can see Teton Mountain when the sky is clear (which it usually is)
畫面很平靜很美
it gives me a tranquil feeling and it's very beautiful 
即使是一旁的漂流木, 也讓人超有感覺~~
even the floating wood over there makes it a picture~



沿路開過去, 通常你絕對會看到黃石公園中數量最多的野生動物
drive along the way, you will definitely spot the animal that takes control of the park
犎牛 (Bison), 又名美洲水牛或美洲野牛
Bison! some people call them baffalo 
不要看牠們笨笨呆呆感覺應該笨重遲鈍
do not be fooled by their dumb heavy slow look
其實牠們還是能夠以時速60公里的速度把你撞飛(所以請保持距離)
they can run 60/kmp and knock you over
so please maintain distance between u and them



不久後會到一個叫做釣魚橋的地方
and soon you will be at Fishing Bridge
那裡是從東入口進入後最近的休息站(大概離入口有一小時了吧...)
it is the closest rest stop after you pass east entrance
I think it's almost an hour away from the entrance
值得一提的是, 那裡的禮品店裡面每年都有很多來自台灣的打工學生喔~~
and, there is a gift shop has lots of Taiwanese students working there :)
第一次去的時候買東西是給台灣人結帳, 莫名的開心感XD
I pay my bill at a Taiwanese counter, i don't know why but I was excited !


原則上來說, 黃石公園一天是玩不完的
basically, you can never finish the park in one day
所以我就不沿路介紹景點了
so I am not going to introduce the spots along the way
因為它有岔路阿!!! 那樣我要怎麼介紹.....
because there are forked roads...how am I suppose to introduce places with that lol
所以就直接介紹我喜歡的地方囉:)
So I think I will just tell you the spots I like and I think you should stop by as well


接下來不可錯過的是有"黃石大峽谷"之稱的區域
Coming up is a place call "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone" 
雖然我沒去過正統"大峽谷國家公園", 但我已經對黃石公園的大峽谷感到非常讚歎了~
I never been to Grand Canyon National Park, but I am already WOWed by this canyon
黃石大峽谷中有一個很壯麗的瀑布, 雖然他不像尼加拉瀑布那麼大
there is a pretty fall, even though it's not as big as Niagra Falls
但也許是因為兩旁的峽谷景致
perhaps the canyon view helps, 
                                                            為這個景點更添一種獨特氛圍
                                                         It gives the fall some special beauty 
如果有到黃石公園, 一定要下車走一小段路去找這個瀑布喔~
If you visit Yellowstone, make sure u get out of the car and go look for the fall



再來就是上次在講我跟我男友第一次出去玩的時候去的景點
Next must stop place is  
 猛瑪溫泉
Mammoth Hot springs
因為上次有詳細介紹了, 這次我就順帶提一下,
since I sort of introduce it in pretty detail last time, I am just gonna show pics 
提醒有去黃石公園且時間充裕的各位一定要去看看
just to remind you that this is a must go place, especially if you have plenty of time
而且在這個區域有超多小土撥鼠(?!)
and there are so many ground hog around that area...
我上次去拍那些土撥鼠拍得好開心~
I had lots of fun last time just to take pics of them :)


如果過了釣魚橋之後選擇沿著湖邊走的話
if you choose to go along the lake after you pass fishing bridge
有一個叫做West Thumb的地方
there is a place call West Thumb
我不知道怎麼翻才不會太好笑....
如果硬要翻的話, 就叫它"西姆指"吧 XDDD


這裡有個小棧道讓你可以走在一些小小間歇泉旁邊
there is a wooden path that you can walk right next to the geysers
由於這些間歇泉的活躍性沒有那麼強, 所以走在旁邊並不會太危險
these geysers are not very active, so it's not very dangerous to walk on it
而且這附近有一個鹿家庭~
and there is an elk family around that area
看到牠們兩三次了 :)
I've seen them 2-3 times
因為去黃石公園最意外的驚喜就是近距離看到野生動物~ 
and the best surprise you can have in the park is to spot wild life in short distance


過了西姆指後再繼續走, 就會到黃石公園的人氣景點
after you past West Thumb, you will be the most popular spot in Yellowstone
老忠實噴泉
The Old Faithful
之所以命名為老忠實
it got the name because
是因為它的噴發時間是可以預測的
it is predictable
而且總是很準確, 誤差大概小於正負十分鐘
with in 10 mins mistake
每年光是這個景點就吸引百萬遊客駐足
this spot attracts million tourists every single year!!



隸屬於Xanterra集團的這間飯店也有很多台灣學生喔
the one hotel belongs to Xanterra at Old Faithful has lots of Taiwanese Students works there for the summer
上次去買冰淇淋的時候也是找台灣學生結帳
last time I bought my ice cream with a Taiwanese girl
我男友還問我"你飛大半個地球來這裡跟台灣人買冰淇淋有比較開心嗎?"
then my boyfriend asked me
"Do you feel happier to buy an ice cream from a Taiwanese after you fly across the half world?"
hahaha
是說臺灣人可能都太害羞了
but I think Taiwanese are too shy
結帳的時候我們都用英文對話
So I bought my ice cream from her in English
她們可能在猜我是哪裡人吧XD
she's probably guessing whether I am from Taiwan or not lol


旁邊的Old Faithful Inn可是歷史古蹟
and the Old Faithful Inn is a historical building
全木製! 裡面的樑柱是其最大賣點
it's built by wood!! and those beams are just amazing
這也是我和我男友第一次共進晚餐(可是那時候還沒有在一起)的地方 :P
that place was also the restaurant that me and Jason first had dinner together :)
如果有進去記得到樓上走走
if you go into the inn, make sure you walk upstair and take a look
從樓上拍他們高大的壁爐~
taking a picture of there huge fireplace
可惜的是好像三樓以上已經不開放參觀了
it's a shame that you cannot go any higher than 2 floors
因為幾十年前的一場地震有點損壞結構
becuase an earthquake in decades ago sort of damage the construction
所以為了不要再破壞它, 飯店封起了通往三樓的樓梯
in order to protect it, the hotel close the stair to 3 floor :(


從Old Faithful走旁邊的步道可以抵達鼎鼎有名
and follow the path around Old Faithful, 
常常出現在黃石明信片上的Morning Glory泉
you will get to the famous postcard star---Morning Glory
但是要走很久.....
but it's a long walk...
老實說走了那麼久但看到本人(泉)時....有點失落 :(
and to be honest, I was kinda disappoint after I saw it, 
it was not as blue as how it looks on the post card no more


晃完這個區域之後, 可以前往不遠處的大稜鏡泉
after you're done around this area, heading to the Grand Prismatic Spring
大稜鏡泉的照片也是常常榮登國家地理雜誌等級的封面
the picture of it is a common winner of the cover like Nation Geographic magazine
但是.....
BUT....
我不知道原來根本沒辦法看到像在照片上那樣壯麗的景觀
I didn't know you can't see the same grand view as how the postcard shows...
因為原則上來說, 你會跟它平行= =
cuz basically, you are right next to it, not sort of above it


旁邊是有步道可以爬上山啦
well, there are trails you can take
可是我沒有爬
but I didn't
因為我覺得即使爬上去了
cuz I was lazy and it was hot
大稜鏡泉還是會被他的蒸氣蓋住
and I think the steam would probably still make the spring hidden
根本拍不出那種照片
事實證明, 那些照片一定都是直升機拍的
so the truth is, the only way to get a great pic of it, is taking a helicopter


那個區域附近有很多小小的泉
there are lots of smaller geyser around there
其中我最喜歡的是這個:
and this is my favorite one :)

你看他藍藍的水~~~
look at how blue it is !
(公園管理處大概知道各國有"許願池"這種東西, 所以特別註明這不是許願池, 請不要把東西丟進去)
(and I think the park knows people might take it as a wish fountain, 
so here is a notice to tell you that IT IS NOT for making a wish)



水質之所以呈現這種顏色, 是因為這裡的地質擁有矽華沉澱物以及礦物質
the reason why the water has different color is because the Precipitate in it and minerals
於是泉水會反射出不同顏色, 加上泉中有些藻類和細菌所以每個泉的顏色不太一樣
so the spring reflects different color. And there are also some alga and bacteria in it
so each of them has a little bit different color
要切記些泉水對皮膚來說可能都有腐蝕性
and minded that the water might has causticity for our skin
所以一定要走在棧道上
make sure you walk ON the path
而且泉水很燙, 千萬千萬不要冒險去碰喔!!!
and the spring is hot, DO NOT touch it!!!


由於我是個懶惰又怕熱的人
since I am lazy and hate heat
所以其實有很多秘密景點我沒有去
I skipped many secret spots
(不想在大熱天冒著碰到熊的危險登山)
cuz I don't feel like hiking in a hot day with a danger that I might encounter bears..
愛登山健行的各位建議可以攜帶防熊噴霧(不知道有沒有效就是了)
so for those who likes hiking, you can take bear spray with u (not sure how well it works tho)
去開發更多秘密景點喔~
and go explore more secret spots 


另外不得不提的就是黃石公園裡面的熊!!!!
and you cannot miss the bear (Grizzly) in Yellowstone
我非常幸運, 第一次去黃石公園就近距離的看到了熊~
I was very lucky, I saw one on my first visit, and it was really close




第二次去還看到了熊游泳~~
the second time I saw a bear swim
幾乎每次去每次看到熊
pretty saw bear on my every visit
其實沒有想像中難嘛~~ (炫耀ING)
C'mon it was not so hard to see them (I am showing off lol)


之前還拍到了熊正在....
and there is one time I pictured a bear.....


還有看到一對剛交配完的黑熊
ohoh, and one time we saw a couple of black bears...they are just done "having fun"
(可惡沒有看到交配中XD)
(darnit I missed their play time)
是聽公園管理員說的, 他說牠們已經玩完了 
the park ranger said they finished

可是我男友說公熊好像想繼續lol
but Jason told me he can tell the male one still want to have some fun
但母熊完全不鳥牠直接走掉
but the female one just walked away
apparently the male one didn't satisfy her very well hahahahaha


同天離那對黑熊五分鐘的路程, 旁邊又有一隻黑熊
on the same day only 5 mins away from the mating couple, there is another black bear
公園管理員開著車叫大家不要停車繼續開
park ranger was right behind our car and told us do not stop
結果我就眼睜睜目睹那隻黑熊猶如卡通人物一般
then I witnessed that black bear was like a cartoon figure
雙腳站立追起了一名遊客
it stood with two foot and was chasing after one guy
(就我所看到的, 那名遊客好像安全無恙)
(I didn't see that guy caught so I suppose he's fine)

這故事告訴我們, 不管動物們長得多可愛都還是有野性的
this story tells us no matter how cute those animals look like, they are still very wild
千萬要保持好距離
make sure you keep distance from them


另外公園裡很常見的動物還有這些體型龐大的鹿~
and there are also lots of elk in the park
通常都是母的比較多
I saw a bunch of female
可是公的比較漂亮, 因為牠們頭上那對角實在太美了
but I like male better, I like their antlers 




黃石公園有時也會發生火災
there is also fire in Yellowstone
因為夏季乾燥炎熱
because the weather is dry and hot in summer
我有看過直升機直接撒水救火
I've seen helicopter taking water from the river and try to stop the fire
但有時候是計畫性的人為火災
sometimes they do manul fire in the park
可能有點像以前農人休耕的道理吧
prob the same idea that farmer usually did in old time
或是擔心會發生無法控制的火災所以不如先來一場可以控制的
or maybe they are worry about lost control of natural fire
以降低之後再發之危險?!
so they set fire in order to lower the danger?
idk...



總之
anyway
黃石公園是個很好玩的地方
Yellowstone is wayyyyy fun
有美麗的自然美景
it has beautiful breathtaking view
喚起你童心的野生動物們
it has animals make you yelling and laughing like a kid
還有許多歷史遺跡等
and some historical spots
如果要用成語說
我覺得這就是個寓教於樂的好地方 :)
I think it is a place with Edutainment
兩年來我已經去了應該有10次了
think I've been there more then 10 times in 2 years
每次都有不同的驚喜
I always have different surprises 
每次去都還是很滿足呢~
and it always satisfy me :)


而且黃石公園對我跟Jason是個非常有意義的地方 <3
and Yellowstone means a lot to me and Jason <3
這是秘密 XD



希望今天的文章大家還喜歡~~
hope you like this articel 
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