What a fun-filled day we had in Yellowstone National Park! After all the driving we had been doing, it was so great to have a day to play.
Being as it was our first night we had no idea just how much the temperature drops at that elevation. It was a good thing we had our NorthFace fleeces and coffee for the morning!
We couldn't have enjoyed the chilly morning without the help of the convenient Starbucks Via packets that we brought along.
Before heading out for the day to enjoy some of the features of Yellowstone, we noticed someone behind our camping spot that wanted to have some coffee too:
My phone camera takes really bad photos but this guy was so close! He was HUGE too. I was a little worried that he might be interested in our breakfast but we noticed a lady elk a little ways off so I think he was trying to get a hot date and didn't bother us.
We had to drive a few miles from our campsite to the upper geyser area where Old Faithful is located. Once you are there at the visitors center you have to walk on this 4 mile loop to see all the geysers...so we said "forget that! We're renting bikes!"
The bikes were only $25 for 4 hours and it was well worth not having to walk around in that intense sun.
The bike rental guy gave us a list with times for when the geysers were "predicted" to go off. The first one was Old Faithful. And just like clockwork, Old Faithful goes off every 1.5 hours.
Our informant told us that the best geyser is the Grand Geyser. We rode around and looked at some of the other sights while we waited for that one to go off. The thing is, they can only estimate the time the geysers will go off, but the Grand (apparently) can go off within a 3-hour prediction time...in other words...they say 5pm but it could be as early as 3:30 or as late as 6:30. You just have to wait and hope it goes off earlier.
We got to the Grand at about 5 and it hadn't gone off yet. So we waited.
And we waited and we waited. For about an hour we sat and watched the gurgling hole in the ground. I thought Alex was going to pass out from heat stroke. Finally, we saw the bubbles get bigger. Then, all of a sudden, show time!
Words and photos cannot express how amazing the sight was. The water shot over 100 feet into the air! It was awesome! And stinky. The sulphur really hits you when you're right in front off the spray. It was so worth the wait though.
Isn't that the truth about patience? You have to actually wait and use it. But good things come to those who wait. Alex was skeptical of whether it would be worth it or not...but he's a believer now!
Join us as the fun continues in Day 4!
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