Saturday, August 17, 2013

Day 5: Wacky, Wonderful Yellowstone!



Sorry this post is a bit late—we were having so much fun in Yellowstone that we lost track of time, left a little late, and then tried to book it to Sheridan, WY.  It seemed feasible on the map, until we realized that the last two hours of the drive took us through Big Horn National Forest—gorgeous, but replete with hair pin turns to and from a 9,000 or so foot summit, with falling rocks and loose livestock on the road.  A bit much in the pitch dark with no cell reception.   Prudence prevailed, which for the two of us is something of a miracle!!  Long story short, we got in late last night, and started early today to make up the time.  

But back to Yellowstone.  Um, it’s awesome!!!  And very, very strange—geysers, hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles—all geologic wonders that make you feel like you are on the moon.  Or in Star Wars.   Plus beautiful canyons, gorgeous waterfalls, pristine forests and idyllic prairies.   We were drunk on beauty by the end of the day. 

Most serendipitous moment:  less than an hour out of Jackson, without being camera ready, we see two young, male elk beside the road on top of the next rise.  While heading toward them, they take off running—parallel to the road.  We watch for almost a full minute as they sprinted along side our cars, cross the road in front of us and ran into the woods.

Anyway, enjoy the pics!  The first few are from my morning run in Jackson—got up early (for me) and was able to catch some of the quiet beauty of the Teton Valley.  



Teton Valley at Sunrise

On the drive to Yellowstone-- fun for tourists...

...bad for traffic!!

My favorite!  The Grand Prismatic Spring-- so colorful!

What you're looking at right there is called a 'bacterial mat'!

Fountain Geyser?  Not sure...saw so many.  Still, cool!


Charlie Brown's Christmas tree's summer vacation.

Gibbon Falls!

Lot and lots of Lodgepole pines lie around Yellowstone like detritus.  I thought this one was groovy.

Roaring Mountain!  You drive along a beautiful mountain road, turn your head, and here's this sulfuric monster!


Speaking of sulfuric monsters...Mammoth Hot Springs!
So weird and cool how it layers up like this.
Um, just in case you were wondering, that's why they call it Yellowstone.
View of Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  Beautiful end to the day!







3 comments:

  1. So lovely! So glad you went to Grand Teton. This is bringing back so many memories for me! Looks like you are having an amazing time! If your mom's going to be around for a bit in NYC, I'd love to see her (well, and you, of course!) if we can arrange it. Enjoy!

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  2. Loved the pics, loved hearing the kids try to pronounce "geyser". May need to make peace with some car camping to make this trip happen for us!

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