Stop No. 1: Mammoth Hot Springs
"DO NOT APPROACH THE ELK!" But... they look so... approachable.
This is in front of the Inn and "Resort" at the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone. The hot springs themselves are a short walk away.
Amazing, no? The hot springs at Mammoth are comprised of "terraces" created by limestone, heat, water, and rock fissures. Thermophilic bacteria give these hot springs their beautiful color.
(Actually, I think some of these photos are from Norris Geyser Basin, which is the hottest and most dynamic thermal area in Yellowstone...)
Yellowstone Park is known for its magnificent geothermal activity. Yellowstone, itself, is an enormous (and still active) volcano. Bet you didn't know that.
It started to rain a little bit while we were at Mammoth. Hot springs, cold drizzle...
The hot springs deposit travertine as white rock and it creates a really remarkable-looking landscape. I thought these trees, with their stripes of white, black, and brown, looked like skinny beagle tails sticking up in the ground.
You bet. Old Faithful goes off about every 90 minutes. As the time approaches, people begin gathering around the viewing platform.
You are two minutes late, O.F. For shame!
Actually, I overheard an old guy behind me say, "She used to be a lot more faithful, you know..." and apparently, he is right -- the interval between Old Faithful's eruptions is growing longer. Earthquakes in the area have changed the underground "plumbing" of the geyser over time...
On the drive back from Old Faithful, we saw.... A BULL ELK!!!
It is very funny. You can drive around Yellowstone and when you see a bunch of cars and people stopped in the road or along the side, you know you should stop, too, because there is something cool - LIKE A BULL ELK! - to be seen.
I am embarrassed to say that I was so excited, I left the car door hanging open in my rush to see the elk (Well, "relative rush," that is... You have to be very careful and keep a far distance away from the wildlife. There are signs all over to remind you that the wildlife is, indeed, wild. And will behave that way when provoked.)
Driving back to camp, post-elk excitement, in the evening.... What a beautiful waterfall...
So beautiful, in fact, that why don't we just put our big old faces in front of it and take a (now less beautiful) picture. Gabe: "Hey! Speak for yourself...."
Nothing like a campfire...
6 comments:
The alluring colors of those hot springs would beckon me to jump in, but I suppose that wouldn't be the hottest idea :/
I haven't been to Yellowstone since the late 80s but seeing your pictures brought back so many wonderful childhood memories. Thanks for sharing and glad to see the trip is going well! If you have the time I still say stop by Arches, you wont regret it!
ummm are you having the same vacation that Dave and I just had? I think I have 75% of your pictures on MY camera!
I also wanted to let you know that I got your postcard today at work and am in the process of sharing it with the office! Thanks for thinking of us :)
-alison
This is such an awesome trip. I've been loving reading the updates along the way. Thanks so much for posting :)
I vacationed at Yellowstone a few years ago and mentioned it on my blog (with photos) - http://quigleyscabinet.blogspot.com/2008/09/yellowstone.html - it is gorgeous, isn't it? Glad to hear it was a stop along the way. Talk to you soon!
Oh, darn. Yeah, this "Yellowstone" place is very pretty and all. But I thought you said you were going to JELLYSTONE park, to see Yogi and Boo-Boo (they're smarter than your average bears).
Gabe: "Hey, Megan, where'd you put the pic-a-nick basket? It was here just a few seconds ago..."
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