- Focused on taking a picture of the Prismatic springs instead of soaking up the view.
- It's a brief but brisk walk up to the sight, and thankfully my guide said I needed to go. When we were struggling to go uphill, the guide told us that the next part of the journey would be where we earned the view. Gulp. I thought I had already traversed far enough to earn the view. But it's downhill all the way back. Great plan!
- Didn't buy the travel guide first.
- Bought the Field Guide by Kurt F Johnson, and immediately enjoyed it. Great guide! Also got two copies of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks published by Fodors because I thought it was so full of information that I wanted a friend to see it. Another friend recommended the tour app which is relatively inexpensive, and I already have the road closing text alerts on my phone.
- Didn't take hand lotion on my trip into the park itself.
- Had sunscreen I didn't need because I wore a hat and it rained so much of the time, or I was in the car. But plan on using sunscreen.
- Didn't take hand wipes into the park, plus a bag to store the used ones.
- Some of the bathrooms are primitive and they see a lot of traffic. The soap containers can be already empty.
- Didn't really talk to the nice ranger.
- He was pleasant, and it was shocking to see a true ranger in true park dress, and standing behind me. But someone had just mentioned tossing a toy into the hot pools. If you want to meet a nice ranger, my tip would be to mention breaking the law. They just seem to pop up behind you or in front of you at that point.
- Didn't grab my raincoat.
Be safe, and keep the wildlife happy!