Seems some guy named Nick loves the unique features at Yellowstone National Park — so much so that Nick scratched his name and a message into a delicate thermal area just off the Biscuit Basin boardwalk.
Now, many angry people want to know who and where Nick is so they can hold him accountable for defacing the park.
The message, “Nick and (unreadable) were here,” was scratched into the thermal crust right alongside the boardwalk. Although it would’ve taken a noticeable amount of time to leave the message, nobody seems to have caught Nick and whoever else was with him (maybe someone named “Rain,” but that’s unclear) in the act.
When Nick’s message was shared Monday in the Yellowstone National Park: Invasion of the Idiots Facebook group, it created an immediate uproar. Many people hoping Nick and his partner could still face their comeuppance.
“If you see this happening, please take their picture, get their license plate and turn them in to the rangers.” said “Group Expert” Cindy Shaffer. “I have had to make reports before, and they did follow up on it, and the people ended up having to go to court. Visitors have to stop destroying our park!”
They Don’t Get It
If found guilty, vandalism of a Yellowstone thermal area can carry a hefty fine.
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan received a $1,500 fine after pleading guilty to stepping onto Palette Springs for an Instagram photo.
In June 2020, two Philadelphia women were sentenced after leaving the boardwalk in the Midway Geyser Basin and damaging the fragile orange bacterial marts surrounding Opal Pool. In addition to two days imprisonment, a fine of $350 and restitution of $106.92, both women were banned from Yellowstone for two years.
Madeline Casey of New Hartford, Connecticut, was sentenced to seven days in jail after pleading guilty to stepping off the Norris Geyser Basin boardwalk in July 2021. She also had to pay more than $2,000 in fines.
“For those who lack a natural ability to appreciate the dangerousness of crusty and unstable ground, boiling water, and scalding mud, the National Park Service does a darn good job of warning them to stay on the boardwalk and trial in thermal areas,” said Bob Murray, then the acting U.S. Attorney in Yellowstone. “Yet there will always be those like Ms. Casey who don’t get it.”
While it’s clear that Nick also doesn’t get it, there are plenty of Yellowstone fans who hope he does.
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
