Approaching through the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park, we first visit vast and expansive Yellowstone Lake. Mud Volcano basin is interesting, and Andy is drawn to Dragon’s Mouth Spring, which spews a sulfurous breath to all who approach.
We rush to Old Faithful. Because of road closures, we have to loop around through Canyon Village and Norris and Madison before approaching Geyser Basin from the North. We pull up as people are leaving, having just missed the moment. We set a time to return, well before the projected eruption. There is enough time for a quick walk through Grand Prismatic Spring. Along the boardwalk, the sunlight comes from a precise angle to create a Brocken specter by one of the pools. I’ve captured this one other time while hiking in the Colorado Rockies.
The excitement builds at Old Faithful. With the first few spurts, the onlookers quiet as in reverence. There are a few false starts. Then, Old Faithful performs again. We wait until the crowd clears to get a family picture. On the way back to Madison, traffic is at a standstill. A large bison herd is indecisive about whether or not to cross the highway. A few make their way over, blocking all flow. Everyone has their cameras out. We arrive at the picturesque Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone. There is a welcome s’mores kit to be used in the fire pit.
On this second day in Yellowstone, we visit Gibbon Falls, Artists’ Paintpots, Canyon Village and Inspiration Point, and Mammoth Hot Springs. The highlight is the elk rut, as this is the precise season for seeing this event. Just to the side of the terraces, elk play in the fluffy calcium deposits. Again, because of road closures, we take the long route, back through Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Village and Norris and Madison to get back to our cabin. There, we cook ravioli in garlic oil and sautéed asparagus. Andy serves up ice cream s’mores in a cup.
We return to Geyser Basin this third day via Firehole Canyon Drive. There is a nice hike through Twig and Spasm Geysers. Andy and I take the Fairy Falls Trail to get a higher view of Grand Prismatic Spring. The view from this hill is truly amazing, as the depth of color is completely different than when seen from the boardwalk. We retrace the road through Madison and Norris to Canyon Village, where we stop to visit Artist Point. An artist is actually there, painting a self-portrait. Then, we hug Yellowstone Lake and cross back and forth over the serpentine Continental Divide on the way out to the Rockefeller Parkway.
Family picture at the south entrance, at the sign of Yellowstone National ParkAndy the photographer taking pictures at Jackson LakeIn the Mud Volcano area, the Mud Caldron bellows steamAggressive raven near Old Faithful geyserPeople along the boardwalk, against the steam, at Grand Prismatic SpringDad, Mom, and Alice along the boardwalk at Grand Prismatic SpringBacterial mats, orange, against steam backdrop, at Grand Prismatic SpringBacterial mats, orange, against steam backdrop, at Grand Prismatic SpringBrockengespenst, or brocken specter, at pool below Grand Prismatic Spring, in Midway Geyser BasinPeople lined up outside the Visitor Center, waiting for Old Faithful GeyserOld Faithful geyser spraying, erupting steamGrazing bison along geyser basin, off the roadBison crossing the highway, blocking a big RV and many carsMaking s'mores by the firepit of Explorer Cabins at YellowstoneOur cabin, Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, with firepitMy coffee at the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, on the front porchFresh ingredients for the omelette for breakfastBreakfast at Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, hash browns, mushroom spinach cheese omelette, and Tabasco sauceFlowing waters at Gibbon Falls turnoutAt Gibbon Falls turnoutMud bubbling and spurting at Artists' PaintpotsFamily picture at Artists' Paintpots boardwalk, overlooking the valleyOutflow from the upper pools at Artists' PaintpotsAt the overlook at Inspiration Point, with Yellowstone Falls in the backgroundJust north of Canyon, bison blocking traffic along the highway, near Dunraven PassElk rut at Mammoth Hot Springs TerracesAntlers with white calcium deposits, bugling elk at Mammoth Hot Springs TerracesElk rut at Mammoth Hot Springs TerracesWhite calcium carbonate deposits at Mammoth Hot Springs TerracesFlowing hot water over calcium carbonate depositsOutside the north entrance of Yellowstone, family picture in front of the Roosevelt ArchMadision River near the west entrance of Yellowstone National ParkMadison River, just before sunset, near the West Yellowstone entranceBoardwalk by the Madison River, inside the West Yellowstone entrance, right at sunsetSiblings picture at the Explorer Cabins at YellowstoneSiblings picture at the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, firepit outside the cabinAsparagus and garlic stir-fry, sauteeWild mushroom ravioli with asparagus in olive oil and garlicVanilla ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackersFirehole Falls and flowing Firehole RiverSteam rising from Lower Geyser Basin, coalescing with the cloudsDead trees, with bases mineralized by the hot springs water at Lower Geyser BasinPool at Lower Geyser Basin, looking like it's about to swallow the passing carTwig Geyser at Lower Geyser BasinSpasm Geyser at Lower Geyser BasinView from the hill above the Fairy Falls Trail, where Andy and I hiked up the slopes to get a higher viewView from the hill above the Fairy Falls Trail, where Andy and I hiked up the slopes to get a higher viewFamily picture at Artist Point, with Lower Yellowstone Falls in the backgroundMom and Dad at Artist Point, with view of the Lower Yellowstone FallsView of Yellowstone Falls from Artist Point, from the rim of the Grand Canyon of the YellowstoneYellowstone Lake West Thumb jetty with sandbar and lone tree, with billowing cloud formation above
Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
