The color and wonder of Yellowstone is reflected in Morning Glory Pool.

Art and photography can do amazing things, one of which is inspire people to visit places once though only to exist in imagination.  This was certainly the case for artist Thomas Moran or photographer Carleton E. Watkins, whose images influenced Presidents and Congress to designate Yellowstone and Yosemite as National Parks, respectively.  Before I ever set foot in Yellowstone, any mention of the name would conjure up images of Morning Glory Pool, originally named after the flower which shares the same blue hue.  My eyes gravitate towards color, and there was something about the vibrance and ethereal nature of Morning Glory that convinced me to see it in person just to prove to myself such beauty existed.  I made the hike on a warm summer day, and the brooding overcast skies seemed only to enhance its color.  Unfortunately due to the unfathomable carelessness of humans throwing coins, rocks, and garbage into the pool, an irreversible change in the consistency of bacteria has occurred, which has shifted the once blue color to a yellowish-green.  Personally all the wonders of Yellowstone will always be reflected in Morning Glory Pool, although its sad history will continually serve as a reminder that nothing lasts forever.