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Published: September 20th 2015
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9/12/2015 drive to Livingston, Wy. Pine tree shouldered roads to farmland on sides with hay rolls and cattle. Garmin mai took us on state roads to I 90. Lunch at Butte MTq and then on to Livingston, checked in at hotel, rested for an hour and set off to YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK an hour south. What was to be a short sojourn at dusk to see the animals turned into a well past midnight adventure.Everyone was excited at seeing Pronghorn deer, Elk and Bison at close quarters as we drove through the park with stops for photography. The immense sprawl of pines, and the sunlight dappled mountains and peaks took our breath away. And then Mammoth Springs, Artists Paintpots, and Norris Geyser basin were not only beautiful, but filled our breaths with sulphur.Old Faithful was about 30 miles away by now and it was decided that we would see it and then leave the park for the night. Otherwise we'd have to drive all the way in again the next day. Since the geyser erupts on an average of very 90
mins. we couldn't know how long we'd have to wait for it, we'd probably not have dinner until much after 9 pm. This was around 8 pm and it had begun to get dark. We reached the dimly lit almost empty parking lots at OF a little before 9, none of the lodges, gift shops, eateries were open, no rangers in sight. A couple who were getting into their car kindly pointed us in the direction of OF. By now, with the sun gone down, it was cold. We hurriedly grabbed the jackets that were handy and walked quickly so as to not is the geyser in case it erupted. A security guard who had just come on duty could not tell us when the next eruption was expected. Using 1 dim flashlight and 3 phone flashlights, we arrived at the dark, cold, alien looking seating area at OF. Some of us walked up and down to keep warm. There were maybe 4 others in the area waiting. A couple said that they had been there 20 mins. N and M walked to a lodge behind us and found out from the signs in the lobby that the next eruption
was expected at 9:41 pm +/- 10 mins. We watched the puff of steam from the geyser increase and decrease, perked up expectantly at every gush of extra steam unit at 9:51 OF rewarded us with it's fountain spurt. We compared this to several Sivakasi phulla pavsu fireworks fizzling out and then one shooting up like it ought to. Satisfied, we started walking back,stopped at restrooms. This was where one camp wanted to go one way and another a different way knowing each was correct back to the van. Not wanting to be separated all went the incorrect way and stood mystified in a parking lot looking for the van. Numerous examples suggestions followed as to which direction the van was parked. S and R went looking for the van, returned not knowing where it was. Tired of waiting in the dark and cold everyone started walking one way, recognized a building we had stopped at earlier, and found the correct direction and the van. The first ones to arrive at the van scared away some coyotes that had been roaming the peaking lot. We started back to Livingston with the heat turned on for the first time in the
van, hoping to get some food on the way. Nothing in the park, nothing open at the West Entrance, driving up on Hwy. 191 outside the park was no use, as it was a desolate 2 lane highway with no service areas. Also the couple of small 'towns' we drove by had shut down for the night. Around 11:30 pm G noticed flashing lights in the side view mirror and alerted R. He pulled over. A young Montana State Hwy Patrol officer very nicely informed him that he was speeding, and even more nicely stated that he would give him a warning and have us on our way as quickly as possible. Which he did, it only set us back 15 mins., but his warning was unfortunately not a verbal one as Lalli expected, but a written one.Reached the hotel past 1 am, all spilled out of the van without even a goodnight and went to bed!9/13/2015 Day 2 at YNP. Drove back to the park and today went toward the west from the North Entrance. Saw our wild animal friends again, highlights were the Tower, Tower Falls, Upper and Lower Falls, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Sulphur Cauldrons and Mud Volcanos. OF was now 32 miles away. Decision made to skip viewing it by day, due to time constraints, so we drove out back to the North Entrance and ate at K-Bar Pizza.No dinner, Fellowship at hotel in Rao's room with lots of chatting, stories and laughter.
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