I’ve always tried to use all the resources available to me, and one of the best resources I’ve had over the years has been my better half, Louise. So as a special treat to all of you who have been following my blog for a month now, you have a guest blogger who made one of the more memorable journeys with me yesterday, and here to tell you all about it – give a warm round of applause to – GRANDMA WEEZ!!!!!!
.
She’s a little shy. Here she comes – once again, put your hands together for LOUISE!!
He is so silly! Yesterday was just a beautiful day for riding. We so enjoyed it, that we neglected to follow a map, and assumed we could follow signs. Not wise in this part of WY. We ended up about 30 miles outside of Dubois WY which is east of Yellowstone. It was gorgeous country, and we saw a young or female moose, and a young wolf or coyote. Actually it looked like a puppy, a young golden or lab, but it was out in the middle of nowhere. It sounds better to say a wolf cub. After the second set of construction, we asked the young lady holding the stop sign how much longer we had until Yellowstone. She laughed, and said we were not the first to miss the turn. Back track 50 miles, and turn right.
Yellowstone is great. We went to the Old Faithfull area, and then up to Madison – just because of the name. As we arrived at the Old Faithful lodge, we say many people standing around the geyser. Looked like it was erupting, but it was 2:30 and I was hungry, since the cereal breakfast was @ 8, so we passed it up. Old Faithfull is faithful – right? Goes off frequently – so we thought – but it would be an hour more after we finished lunch. Therefore we walked the miles of boardwalk, which we both found very interesting. Such a contrast to the volcanic landscape we saw in Hawaii. These white coverings with blue and orange thermal pools are definitely different than the black ‘brownie’ look covering that is on Hawaii. By the time we finished a tour, we were on the east side of Old Faithful. We saw all the people standing around the lodge side so we thought we would stay put, and watch it from there. It was fascinating. We soon realized why no one stands on the east side. We were soon showered with the sulfur tasting mist. What a surprise. We all laughed about it. Then as we walked to the lodge, we saw a lone bison lying in front of the geyser. Another spectator said the bison was there before the eruption, and wasn’t fazed by the people or the eruption. He thought the park planted him there for the effect.
Our next stop was the Fountain Paint Pot. This is a mud geyser. Instead of the clear thermal pools, the chemicals mix with the soil and water to form mud bubbles that percolate on the earth’s surface. There was ‘Spasm Geyser’ at this location that erupts continuously. Again – very fascinating.
Madison picnic area was our next stop. It was a facility stop, but was a nice picnic area. We then took the 2 mile Firehole Canyon Drive back towards Old Faithful for our trip back to Jackson. We stumbled upon the Firehole Canyon swimming hole. It was packed – at 5:30 at night. Have to remember this spot should we return with the grandkids.
We stopped back at Old Faithful to gas up, and found the Castle Geyser erupting. That was neat because it lasted a long time, and looks more dramatic than Old Faithful because its base looks like a castle. Our timing couldn’t have been better.
Our trip back to Jackson was highlighted with the sight of a deer, and then a mama bear and 3 cubs, digging at roots not far from the road. By the time we arrived, there were 3 ranger cars, one with flashers on, and about 30 spectators’ cars. The bears seemed oblivious to all of the people. You can see from the pictures that we were not that far away. It reminded me of the time Matt and I saw the bears eating berries with Bonnie and Dan in Glacier National Park, and the ranger had to tell Matt to stay back – or to get back in the car. Matt wasn’t as aggressive this time, thankfully.
I am looking forward to our next visit in the park. Hind sight says I should have made reservations to stay in Yellowstone a couple of nights. Jackson is 64 miles from the south entrance, and Old Faithful was 40 miles from that entrance. Staying in the park would have saved some of that traveling. I had hoped to go to Cody WY, but it is 177 miles from Jackson. The mountains prevent many direct routes. That is too much for a day trip on a motorcycle for me.
.
She’s a little shy. Here she comes – once again, put your hands together for LOUISE!!
He is so silly! Yesterday was just a beautiful day for riding. We so enjoyed it, that we neglected to follow a map, and assumed we could follow signs. Not wise in this part of WY. We ended up about 30 miles outside of Dubois WY which is east of Yellowstone. It was gorgeous country, and we saw a young or female moose, and a young wolf or coyote. Actually it looked like a puppy, a young golden or lab, but it was out in the middle of nowhere. It sounds better to say a wolf cub. After the second set of construction, we asked the young lady holding the stop sign how much longer we had until Yellowstone. She laughed, and said we were not the first to miss the turn. Back track 50 miles, and turn right.
Yellowstone is great. We went to the Old Faithfull area, and then up to Madison – just because of the name. As we arrived at the Old Faithful lodge, we say many people standing around the geyser. Looked like it was erupting, but it was 2:30 and I was hungry, since the cereal breakfast was @ 8, so we passed it up. Old Faithfull is faithful – right? Goes off frequently – so we thought – but it would be an hour more after we finished lunch. Therefore we walked the miles of boardwalk, which we both found very interesting. Such a contrast to the volcanic landscape we saw in Hawaii. These white coverings with blue and orange thermal pools are definitely different than the black ‘brownie’ look covering that is on Hawaii. By the time we finished a tour, we were on the east side of Old Faithful. We saw all the people standing around the lodge side so we thought we would stay put, and watch it from there. It was fascinating. We soon realized why no one stands on the east side. We were soon showered with the sulfur tasting mist. What a surprise. We all laughed about it. Then as we walked to the lodge, we saw a lone bison lying in front of the geyser. Another spectator said the bison was there before the eruption, and wasn’t fazed by the people or the eruption. He thought the park planted him there for the effect.
Our next stop was the Fountain Paint Pot. This is a mud geyser. Instead of the clear thermal pools, the chemicals mix with the soil and water to form mud bubbles that percolate on the earth’s surface. There was ‘Spasm Geyser’ at this location that erupts continuously. Again – very fascinating.
Madison picnic area was our next stop. It was a facility stop, but was a nice picnic area. We then took the 2 mile Firehole Canyon Drive back towards Old Faithful for our trip back to Jackson. We stumbled upon the Firehole Canyon swimming hole. It was packed – at 5:30 at night. Have to remember this spot should we return with the grandkids.
We stopped back at Old Faithful to gas up, and found the Castle Geyser erupting. That was neat because it lasted a long time, and looks more dramatic than Old Faithful because its base looks like a castle. Our timing couldn’t have been better.
Our trip back to Jackson was highlighted with the sight of a deer, and then a mama bear and 3 cubs, digging at roots not far from the road. By the time we arrived, there were 3 ranger cars, one with flashers on, and about 30 spectators’ cars. The bears seemed oblivious to all of the people. You can see from the pictures that we were not that far away. It reminded me of the time Matt and I saw the bears eating berries with Bonnie and Dan in Glacier National Park, and the ranger had to tell Matt to stay back – or to get back in the car. Matt wasn’t as aggressive this time, thankfully.
I am looking forward to our next visit in the park. Hind sight says I should have made reservations to stay in Yellowstone a couple of nights. Jackson is 64 miles from the south entrance, and Old Faithful was 40 miles from that entrance. Staying in the park would have saved some of that traveling. I had hoped to go to Cody WY, but it is 177 miles from Jackson. The mountains prevent many direct routes. That is too much for a day trip on a motorcycle for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment