Adventures in Yellowstone

Our next big adventure on this trip was our stop at Yellowstone National Park. On our way to the park, we drove though the Powder River Pass. The approach to the pass was really beautiful. Thanks to Poppy and Nicholas who recommended this approach, which they had driven a few years ago in more wintry conditions.

And the Pass itself (elev. 9666 ft) gave us some terrific views (including our minivan in the parking lot). The signage at the Pass informed us that the fences you see in this picture, and which we'd seen throughout Wyoming, were "snow fences" intended to keep snow drifts from coming across the highway.

After spending a night in Cody, WY, which we found to be a charming town, we woke on Friday morning and made our way into Yellowstone. As in the Black Hills, we found plenty of buffalo...

... and also as in the Black Hills, the buffalo sometimes failed to observe simple road signs. I tried to remind this one that only cyclists ride with traffic; walkers should proceed against traffic. He was unconvinced.
One of our first stops was the LeHardy Rapids of the Yellowstone River. They are named for Paul LeHardy, a topographer who fell out of his raft here. Fool(le)hardy though he was, he survived and gave his name to the rapids he failed to navigate.
As you see, this visit to Yellowstone marked the debut of the Baby Bjorn. It was perfect for the short hike we made along the Canyon falls. The trail ended at Artist Point, which afforded a picturesque view of the Lower Falls.

I felt a little tired after the hike, but it was nothing compared to Michael's fatigue. He couldn't even finish the walk before he checked out.Our next stop was the Hot Springs. Here hot waters (160 degrees) bubble up and bring with them minerals that are deposited above ground, creating expansive terraces.

The hot water streams across the terraces, and visitors are strongly encouraged to avoid contact with the water. Just look what happened to Theodore Cleaver when he ventured off the boardwalk. Wally never would have flouted the rules like the Beav.

Last but not least was Old Faithful, of course, which I mistakenly called "Old Geyser" for most of the day. It erupts every 60-90 minutes, and when we arrived at the Visitor Center around 5:30, we learned that the next eruption would occur at 5:58 +/- 10 minutes. This left us some time to hit the gift shop and make our way back to the old geyser.

The seating was full on either side of the faithful geyser. The crowd was tense with anticipation, with many non-specialists suddenly becoming experts at interpreting geysers. Every time there was a change in the steam coming out of the hole, someone said, "Here we go!" only to watch the steam peter out. Once someone said, "It's getting maaaadder." Around 5:58 we saw some water sloshing around the hole and everyone readied their cameras. False alarm. Then more sloshing water: "Here is comes! Get the camera!" False alarm.
Finally, the anticipation was relieved when the blast shot forth. It was a breathtaking sight aginst the blue sky and it last for a couple of minutes.

Michael was already getting out of sorts waiting for the Old Geyser (indeed, so was the whole crowd!), so once the show was over, we drove out of the park. With no time for dinner, Emily and I convinced ourselves it would be all right to make a Blizzard from Dairy Queen our supper. Not a dinner to be proud of, but it was delicious and refreshing.