Yellowstone - Day 2

Our second day at Yellowstone was September 3rd...our 3 year anniversary!

Our plan for the day was to go kayaking in Yellowstone Lake and then continue our Park sightseeing. We got up early and drove to Grant Village boat launch. As we sat in the parking lot waiting for the guides, it was snowing and about 37 degrees. All we could think about was how cold it was going to be. The guides and the kayak trailer showed up about 9:35 am...and they announced that the trip was canceled. This was one time we were happy to not be heading out onto the water.

Since it was so cold, we decided to head up to Old Faithful and go to the lodge. We had great timing and arrived 5 minutes before Old Faithful blew. So, we joined the crowed, watched the water and steam blow, and then went inside to warm up a little.

We decided to wander around the boardwalks in the Old Faithful area and look at the geysers and pools. This is a large area and so many features to see. We went by a geyser that had a seating area and people were starting to gather. We heard someone say that it should blow in about twenty minutes or so. So we continued our walk and came back for the show. This geyser is Grand Geyser and has two smaller geyser right next to it. The water and steam lasted about 5-10 minutes...it was a great show! (photo)

As we walked along the boardwalk, I saw a number of people talking on their cell phones...I thought how awful, enjoy the scenery and stop talking on the phone. Then, I heard my cell phone ring with the ring tone for Deb...she was calling from Tripoli. I had to answer. So there I was...talking on the phone (how wrong). We took the below photo of Todd and I on the phone with Deb...to share the trip with her.

We went over to the Lodge and had some lunch and took photos of the inside of the lodge. What an interesting structure. On the second floor, they have a deck with a number of benches that all face Old Faithful, so you can view it in the comfort from the Lodge.

We started our drive north and stopped at numerous geysers and pools. One of particular note was the Midway Geyser Basin. You could see steam from the main road and it just drew your attention to stop. We parked and followed the path to a bridge over the river and then up to the boardwalk. There was so much steam it was hard to see the pools. I decided to call this place 'smoke and mirrors'...there was so much steam, it was like smoke, and the water covered the ground in a thin layer that reflected the sun and clouds as if a mirror. We took a number of beautiful photos of these effects and the great colors.

Heading back to West Yellowstone for the night, we were lucky enough to encounter some wildlife for the day. First, there was a traffic jam caused by a roaming bison (buffalo). He was just doing his own thing and ignoring the people. Then, we saw a bear. It was up on the hillside quite a ways away...but we were able to watch him wander the hillside for awhile and get a few 'zoomed in' photos.

It was another good day in the Park. Tomorrow is our last day and then we are off to the Tetons.