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Published: June 19th 2012
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FRIDAY & SATURDAY
The ride from Jackson to Old Faithful took only a couple of hours and that was driving within or under the speed limit all the time. Kept our eyes open for moose but had to settle for a white tailed dear. The sky was overcast and when we came over the pass there were a few sprinkles on the windshield. We checked in at the lodge and went into the cafeteria for lunch, soup and salad for me, a meatball wedge for Joe, and all was good. We finished in time to watch Old Faithful erupt from rocking chairs on the porch.
In is even more powerful and violent in person than on film. We explored the upper loop of the upper geyser basin, stopped to pick up our keys and have an ice cream and watched the Beehive Geyser erupt over 200’ in the air. It was a spectacular eruption and one that cannot be predicted. Then it was time for Old Faithful again. This time we were on the seats arranged in a semicircle around the geyser, so close we could hear the whoosh of the steam and water before it hit
the air.
Settled into our cabin, built by the CCC, and after a short nap headed out to dinner on the Snow Lodge. Food was good and they had porter on tap. The restaurants appear to carry only American brewed beer and wines but we haven’t had a bad choice yet. Late in the day the sky started to clear so we’re hoping for geed day tomorrow.
The day dawned clear and cool. We had a light breakfast, checked out of the lodge and into the Inn and continued our exploration of the Upper Geyser Valley. Within 50 yards of the Inn we spotted our first bear, a grizzly so intent on running across the meadow that he completely ignored a man who was no more than ten feet away and oblivious to the bear until the giant was well past and heading to the trees. We did about three hours walking from one wonder to another and saw Old Faithful erupt again from the Firehole River Bridge. One thing that captivated me was the color of the pools and springs, turquoise, sapphire, emerald, surrounded by orange, green, yellow, red and green streaks and spots of
bacteria. By the time we finished the loop my knee was swollen and both of us had slight sunburns.
We had lunch at the Inn and it was excellent then took off in the car to explore. We stopped at Black Sand Basin where a bear had been spotted yesterday. It was probably the same bear we saw in the morning. We had to be satisfied with a small herd of Bison, with two little calves. So cute!!!! The bison basically ignored us and we kept our distance but one pretty young thing kept trying to get closer and closer for a picture. We could have had a video on the evening news but the bison didn’t charge. Again the colors and the power of the thermals continue to impress. Here we are on the top of an active volcano and the signs of its life are everywhere.
Back to the Inn to pick up our keys, get some ice cream and sit on the balcony and watch you know who erupt again. It never gets dull. Then a nap and dinner in the Inn’s dining room. Not impressed by the menu. Joe settled for bison pot roast, which was ok, and I had trout hash that turned out to be trout fillets and were not very tasty. Took a short walk and watched you know what and then turned for an early night. Tomorrow we will get up early to see the animals.
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