![Fumaroles steam up the early morning in the Hayden Valley Fumaroles steam up the early morning in the Hayden Valley](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-84bc4GS/1/MJ5F9ZL59fzMmnJBrjDVfvswhht4ZC6f3WdQ82FxV/X4/i-84bc4GS-X4.jpg)
Our first full day in Yellowstone last week and we were on the road at sunrise. As we began our journey, not far from where we were staying, we passed the Mud Volcano Thermal Area. This is one of our favorite spots as it is quite beautiful and peaceful as compared to some of the busier areas of the park. It was a chilly morning allowing steam from fumaroles in the area to rise in the distance and serve as a reminder that while in the park, in many locations you are actually within the caldera of a sleeping volcano.