We had a glorious leisurely day stopping at the many pullouts to go for short walks along the boardwalks to view the geysers. First stop was the lower geyser basin and then we took the Firehole Lake Drive and couldn't believe that so many people passed it by.
At the Midway Geyser Basin my favorite was the Grand Prismatic Spring. The array of colors was spectacular.
We spotted a trail to the Mystic Waterfall when we were half way around the Biscuit Basin and away we went on the spur of the moment. I took the fork to the bottom of the fall and saw birds, chipmunks, and every color of wildflower. Neither of us took water. Duh!
I eventually arrived at the waterfall and enjoyed the view but the woman in the turquoise shirt just wouldn't move.
Leon took the fork to the right and the top of the waterfall. Somewhere he met up with Jose and they then hiked down to the bottom and back. After 2 1/2 miles I was back at the basin enjoying the geysers. Jose was kindly sharing his water with Leon on their much longer hike. We continued on to more geysers.
By now it was noon and we went to the nearest campground only to find it full, but a few miles south we got a spot at Lewis Lake. A side trip to the Grand Tetons seemed appropriate as they were only twenty miles further down the road.
Old Faithful was the perfect way to start the next day. We got there early and waited perhaps three minutes for the show. It erupts between 40 to 126 minute intervals so we felt lucky. There was even a bison grazing not far away.
I adore national park lodges so I made a visit to the Old Faithful Inn and I was not disappointed. Logs were used everywhere including to line the ceilings.
Hayden Valley is known to be the place to see wildlife and we weren't disappointed. They were quite the traffic stopper when they decided to cross to greener pastures.
Yellowstone is all about water and wildlife. The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River were 109 feet and breathtaking.
Then we went to the Upper Falls which are not so high at 109 feet and another stop at the Brink of the Upper Falls really put us close to the action.
I got a kick out of this 1937 touring car. The park owns seven of them. They were sold and then the park started buying them back, according to the driver, and reintroduced them in 2005.
We had passed several full campgrounds and were delighted to get one of the last two spots at Indian Creek. Mammoth Hot Springs has a different look from what we have seen and was Leon's favorite. The early morning drive was harrowing in spots. The park is full of tour buses loaded with Chinese, many of whom carry parasols. I think this lady will have a sunburned face.
We did not stop for a snack or meal in the area as this is where the norovirus began less than a month ago from a tour bus I the park. One can't be too careful. Signs were posted everywhere to warn the visitors. Roosevelt Lodge, was built in 1906 or 1919, depending upon where you look, and named after Teddy Roosevelt, who loved to visit the park. How fun to sit on the front porch and rock. The lodging is in the cabins, however, some of which have bathrooms.
A nice drive through Lamar Valley provided us views of huge buffalo herds as we exited the park. What a great visit it has been.
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