The trail bypasses Yellowstone National Park, so the four of us rented a car for three days. While we had trouble coping with all the people, traffic and bad food, it was still worth it. Yellowstone is so unique and absolutely stunning, no wonder it is America's first national park.
Old Faithful of course is a must. It erupts every 44 to 125 minutes; the exact time can be predicted from the length of the last eruption.
The Old Faithful Inn was built in 1903 and is the largest log hotel in the world. Unfortunately the top levels were damaged during an earthquake in 1959 and are inaccessible. The number of trees this place required is mind-boggling!
The area around Old Faithful contains many other geysers, boiling pools and springs. The colours and patterns are amazing!
Mammoth Hot Springs in the north of the park are travertine-depositing hot springs, forming ever-changing terraces. The colours are due to different thermophiles, i.e. heat-loving micro-organisms, depending on the water temperature.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is 20 miles long and over 1,000 feet deep. Two waterfalls, many hydrothermal features and multi-hued geological substrate - absolutely stunning!
Bison herds regularly disrupt traffic throughout the park.
There are so many amazing places in Yellowstone, it is impossible to see it all. Our last stop was the Mud Volcano with its spitting springs, boiling mud, fumaroles and cooking ponds.
Our last breakfast with Alba and Gerard before parting ways. Check out how much food four people can eat and still lose weight! Thanks for your company and all the laughs!
Hi, Ari and Kirsten! Its so great to finally look up your blog. Y'all take lovely photos and its so cool seeing glimpses into the trip from your perspective. So glad you were able to make time for Yellowstone and see the eclipse! We were in the Tetons hiking during the eclipse and plan to be in Boulder, WY tonight (8/26), so we must be close to each other unless you're already further down the road. We hope to run into you soon... maybe in the Great Basin : ) Take care and we'll try to check in again the next time we have internet.
ReplyDelete-Jonathan + Katelyn (the "Bob couple")
PS-- We found another Bob couple, Joe and Samantha, maybe you've run into them?
PPS-- Lava Mountain, uuurgh!
PPPS-- we skipped Fleecer Ridge. Y'all are awesome and your photos from it are great : )