Day 12 (7/10). (Eden) We were off to an early start this morning, after another short stop for the night in Canyon Village. Unfortunately, it started pouring soon after we got on the road, but Yellowstone is beautiful in any weather! The rain did get annoying, and our trip to a petrified tree (which seemed to petrify Helena and Harrison) wasn’t as enjoyable in the downpour.
The animals didn’t seem to mind the rain that much because right away we saw a deer and two more black bears! I’ve almost gotten tired of bison because they’re everywhere, but it’s still cool to see any animal.
Our next stop was Mammoth Springs, a series of small springs that spewed warm sulfur-y steam. The formations created by the years of bacteria leaking out of the springs were amazing!! They created weird stairs and bubbly foam shapes that were super unique and colorful.
From there, we went back to Montana and walked back a half mile trail to where the Boiling River meets the Gardner River. It creates a warm place to swim, like a natural hot tub. It was kind of gross once you stopped to think about all the bacteria that was probably in the water, but felt lovely compared to the chilly air. We just sat and soaked up the warmth before bracing ourselves for the trek back to the van.
Then we headed to more mini springs. The contrast there between the bright orange rock and vivid blue pools was amazing! In other areas, with the steam, gray and black rocks, and half-sunk bare trees, it seemed almost post-apocalyptic, and had a different sense of beauty.
Next was the Grand Prismatic Spring! There was so much steam surrounding the boardwalk that my glasses fogged up and I couldn’t see two feet in front of me! The experience might be compared to walking in a cloud–you come out with tiny water droplets all over your clothes and body–except pleasantly warm. (I also don’t know what walking in a cloud is like….) Unfortunately, all this steam obscured most of the famous colors of the Grand Prismatic. We could see the bright orange and some blue, which was still pretty, and some of the nearby pools had great hues too.
And then, what we’d all secretly been waiting for: Old Faithful! (Or, as we like to call it, Young Traitor, because we’re weird and opposite like that.) We had to wait almost forty minutes and by this point, the temperature was around 40 degrees, so we were lucky there was a nearby lodge that we could seek refuge in. Almost exactly at the predicted eruption time, finally, finally, it started to spray water! It didn’t reach the 100 feet height we’d been looking forward to, but the amount of steam that it released was terrific!
After that, it was a quick dinner, a quick stop at the Continental Divide, a quick look at the fresh snow on the mountains way across Yellowstone Lake, and on to the lodge we’re staying at on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Like last night, it has sketchy wifi but it’s an interesting experience to be in the middle of the country without reliable connection!
(As always, the best way to view the photos is to click on the first one and scroll through the slide show).
Fisher Family Travels 
Eden – loved reading this. The rain – boo, doesn’t it know you need to see well on this trip?! You have me a bit wigged out by the bacteria but I would have definitely been in the warm springs as well. I have always said to your momma that her life is amazing. I know you agree! You have a wonderful set of parents who simply want their family to experience it all. What a trip. I am enjoying this blog – though I have spent far too much time this am. And I love your family weirdness – Young Traitor! Great. This is one big history lesson. I imagine Linford’s children at the end of the day sitting on their beds all listening with alacrity to their Dad’s daily wrap ups? Am I correct? Please say yes. 🙂
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