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Published: September 4th 2008
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Here is the Moose
What did I tell you - isn't he hard to see? Finally - a sunny day! We head towards Norris - another hydrothermically active area of the park. We see Steamboat geyser, which is just spurting a few feet right now. It's still pretty impressive. Norris is one of the most active earthquake areas of the park. Small earthquakes trigger changes each year in the hot springs and geysers. Many hot springs and fumeroles (steam jets) have temperatures above the boiling point. There are also many acidic geysers here, which are rare in the rest of the world.
We walk along boardwalks across the hot, acid waters of Percelain basin. The smell of sulphur is offset by the rainbow colors. Yellow is sulphur, white is calcium carbonate, orange could either be iron or some of the many heat loving bacteria that live here. Bacteria that live in this boiling water provide various colors - orange, brown, green. One type of bacteria uses sulphur for energy and turns hydrogen sulphide into sulphuric acid.
Emerald spring is the color of its name. The color comes from the water, reflecting blue wavelengths of sunlight combined with the yellow of the sulphur coating the pool.
Next, we head to the Canyon area, known
as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We see both Upper and Lower Falls. The height and power of these falls is hard to describe. We hike down Uncle Tom's Trail, which has a warning that it is not recommended for people with heart, lung, or other health conditions. It starts out with a series of steep inclines, then there are 326 steps decending 500 feet into the canyon. It is one of the most beautiful sights we have ever seen. The roaring of the water, and the spray, combined with the pine scent of the forested area we are hiking in just overwhelms. The spray of the water makes a rainbow over the gorge. The walk was so worth it. On the way down, we see people of all ages coming back up, stopping with their heads down, sweating and panting. We think "man, they must really be out of shape!". Right! As we make our way up, the muscles in my legs start to burn, then tremble. Steve's legs don't want to hold him up any more. We gasp for breath which makes our mouths and throat dry. I would love a sip of water, if I hadn't dropped
my water bottle on the trail, which we watched as it rolled in slow motion to the edge of the trail and out of sight over a sheer drop.... The dry throat is nothing compared to the aching in my chest. We make it, and wobble to the car, looking forward to the drive to the next place. I think we are going to be sore tomorrow!
Artists Paint Pots look like bubbling white paint. We drag ourselves around the trail - it is interesting and strangely beautiful, but we are getting really tired at this point. We decide to have corn chips and bean dip for supper as we drive, because either (a) we aren't already gassy enough, or (b) it just doesn't matter with all this sulphur in the air. We live dangerously and wash it down with cream soda. Later we share a bowl of chili. Aiy yi yi! Tonight will be a hot one! 😊
In the evening we head down to see Old Faithful before the sun sets. Steam roils into the air for 10 minutes or more before the main event, with a few teasing spurts of water that have everyone turning
on their cameras and snapping pictures, then groaning, ahhh! Finally the water starts to spurt in earnest, spewing higher and higher, till it tops out at about 180 feet. At times the water is obscured by rising steam. The setting sun illuminates the foaming water creating the perfect picture, and many Ooohs and Aaahs from the watching crowd. The sound of hundreds of camera shutters clicking along the quarter mile boardwalk fills the air. A great end to a great day.
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RobL
non-member comment
Looks like fun!!
Hey Dawn and Steve, Rob here...looks like you are having a great time, i'm following along! The moose was cool, i didn't know there was so much to see down there! Might have to go on a roadtrip :P Save travels!