Yellowstone is an amazing place--thermal wonders everywhere. It's not just about seeing Old Faithful 'geys'...though hundreds gather every hour and a half for this roughly predictable event. Raw power unleashed--it may be predictable but not controllable. For me the greater wonder is in the unpredictable geysers that catch you unawares. You're just idling along down the boardwalk and they explode from the earth in a shower of steam and scalding water and brilliant spray--for just a few moments or for 20 minutes or more. Others slosh and pound restlessly just within their prescribed holes waiting for pressure to build.... Incredible power is here displayed. And incredible power held back.
And mystery. Consider the steam rising from a crack in the asphalt of the parking lot. There's a temporary construction barrier marking it now. What will it become? a gaping hot spring? a fumerole? Head away from the crowds on the boardwalks for a hike on the neighboring hillside. Watch your step. Here the hot springs just pop up where they will. Here you may find a little pebbly puddle boiling at your feet. Or stray just a bit from the marked trail (cautiously!) and you may find steam rising, water pounding and sloshing from an opened hole in a hillside, still surrounded by trees and grasses till the heat overtakes them too and this becomes an official site with a sign post.
This is an incredible place-- a testimony to the incredible power of God-- "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead;"(Rom.1:20) This is what I found so galling on our recent visit to Yellowstone: Here we have a National Park which the world comes in droves to view. Here we have opportunity to make known our God--the God who made the heavens (and the depths of the earth from which the geysers erupt). Here is evidence of Catastrophism. Instead, park guides and visitor's centers and bookstores proclaim foolishness--tossing about zillions of years as if they were confetti, spinning tales and fables of origins and inevitabilities with all the seriousness and authority of experts. As if they were there from the beginning. As if they were God. Disturbing.
I'm told there is a book about Yellowstone from a Creationist point of view now being written. Various articles are available from Institute for Creation Research. And I can do my part singing His praise for all I see... Care to join me?
Click here for a sampling of Geysers and other wonders "for great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and He is to be held in awe above all gods.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in His place." (IChr.16:25,27)
