8-1-10

FIREHOLE FALLS

ON BANKS OF THE FIREHOLE RIVER

SITTING PRETTY

IN FULL BLOOM

BRUTE BISON

I'VE TAMED HIM

SEA OF S.U.V'S

CROWDS WAIT IN ANTICIPATION

OLD FAITHFUL

ERUPTING GEYSER

BISCUIT BASIN

SAPPHIRE POOL

CROAKING CROW

GREAT FOUNTAIN GEYSER

Sun pouring into our tent, we sprung out of sleeping bags full of energy ready to explore this 2.2 million acre national park. But our very first order of business was to move our tent. Madison Campground has nearly 300 spots for camping, but the bulk of said "campers" sleep in their noisy, enormous RVs probably watching television. We kindly asked a park ranger if there was a tent only camp area available and luckily, we were able to move to a quieter spot.

After oatmeal for breakfast, we explored the Firehole Canyon Drive. The drive through the canyon follows the Firehole River, but the drive goes uphill against the flow of the current. There were several large waterfalls, plenty of white water rapids, and a refreshing swimming hole. Lots of thrill seekers jumped off cliffs plunging into the river, but we were content to float around on our backs.

We then made the pilgrimage to Old Faithful, Yellowstone's most famous geyser. The geyser erupts on average every 90 minutes, can have a five minute duration, and can reach heights of 180 feet. Geysers are hot springs that periodically eject boiling water and steam into the air. Old Faithful is famous because it displays patterns of activity, whereas many other geysers are totally unpredictable. The crowds are out of control here, with everyone flocking to the famous spot the same way every tourist flocks to Time Square in NYC. But NYC residents know it's the more hidden gems that make the city great, and with that thought, we left hoping to find some lesser known magic.

Some of the Earth's most active volcanic, hydrothermal, and earthquake systems all contribute to the hot wonders of Yellowstone. With more geothermal activity going on here than in any other place on the planet, we went to see more hot springs, travertine terraces, mudpots, and fumaroles all just miles from Old Faithful. We explored the Biscuit Basin, which is a geyser basin. Geyser basins are places of fragile beauty, scalding water, and unstable ground. Underground shifts in heat or pressure can change seemingly solid ground into hidden, dangerous thermal areas. We took a self guided tour over boardwalks enabling safe viewing spots of these miracles of nature.

Our last stop of the day was at the Great Fountain Geyser along Firehole Lake Drive. The Great Fountain Geyser erupts only once per day. Unlike Old Faithful whose eruptions are predicted within a plus or minus ten minute timeframe, the window here was plus or minus two hours. The predicted time of eruption was 7:30 pm, so it was a pure stroke of luck when we arrive at 5:45 and saw the geyser gurgle, bubble, then explode. With less than 30 people here to witness the spectacular eruption of almost 200 feet, we were able to get incredibly close, and it was no doubt, the highlight of the day.