It was a glorious morning as far as camping mornings go. I woke up and was actually able to get a shower to wash the past four days off of me and then for a nominal fee I was served a pancake breakfast by the proprietors of the campground. Not a bad deal. They were scrumptious.
We got back on the road and started the relatively short journey toward Yellowstone, entering Wyoming. They really play up the whole "Wild West" thing out here.
We entered Grand Teton (that means "large breast") National Park on our way. They are connected, which I was unaware of.
The Tetons were picturesquely amazing. We stopped at a picnic area that had a wonderful view of the snow-capped mountains and the lake.
We soon came upon Yellowstone National Park, where we were welcomed in for their "free weekend" (which is good for people who don't already have a NP pass) and then I promptly pulled into another picnic area to enjoy some frosted mini wheats.
We consulted our map and found our way to Old Faithful, which I'm pretty sure is more famous than Yellowstone itself.
Since the eruption of the geyser is fairly regular, hence the name, they had the next time up on the board, prompting a large crowd along the walkway surrounding it. People waited anxiously, cameras in hand with impatient eyes checking their watches every few minutes to make sure they hadn't missed it.
After a short wait the geyser began to bubble over and eventually it spewed water high into the air for a minute or so. I've gotten into the habit of putting my camera down after I get a few shots because I want to experience things for real and not just through my viewfinder. The eruption was pretty awesome though as I thought about all the thermal dynamics involved and the underground volcano that is the reason Yellowstone exists.
After the big show, everyone dispersed and we took the boardwalk trail that leads visitors to many more amazing sights. The bubbling, running water was all over and all different colors. It made some great patterns that looked like nothing I had ever seen elsewhere.
Some of the bubbling pots of water seemed like they belonged on another planet. This peculiar formation was created like other mounds that are even larger as the minerals in the bubbling water collect and grow over long periods of time. Nature is amazing.
Speaking of amazing, the Morning Glory Pool is just awesome. The rings of colors are actually microorganisms that live in the extreme temperatures of the pools. It's beautiful but ominous how deep the dark hole in the center goes.. though I realize it doesn't actually go down that far, it seems like any sort of creature from the Legend of Zelda could be living down there.
On the walk back I was intrigued and pretty frightened by the buffalo that were roaming across the walking path. A lot of fearless people were just a few feet away from them taking pictures. No, thanks. Not after reading about the visitors who were gored by them. This looks like I'm close, but that's what zoom is for, ladies and gentlement.
From a safe distance I enjoyed looking at the large herd (or whatever a pack of buffalo is called) with their babies. They're pretty spry for such large animals.
We got a campsite in the park and, for the first time on this trip, we started a fire. We had to gather and cut some wood first but a camping neighbor graciously offered us some of his wood. Firewood.
After the fire was roaring we put a pot of water on to boil with some rice. We took this chance to roast some marshmallows as well. I need to take my time and carefully toast mine. No burns.
Once the rice was finished, we mixed in corn and peas and stirred it up to form a tasty hot meal. It wasn't the best thing ever but it always tastes better when you cook it yourself over a fire. It was filling, for sure.
We finally secured the rain guard on the tent correctly and when it started raining for real we added an extra, ghetto layer of protection. Whatever works. We packed up the stuff and ducked into the tent pretty early. I should note that it was still light when it was after 9 though.
We spent some time playing cards while it rained outside and then I did some reading before bed. A nearby camper had brought his dog, which apparently only growls and doesn't bark. With all the bear warning signs around it was pretty creepy.
I don't know if it was the rain on the tent or the exhaustion from picking all the firewood but I felt no trouble getting to sleep.
Today's distance: 219.7 miles. Being from Jersey, you really have no idea how many miles of roads exist inside the borders of National Parks.
It was a glorious morning as far as camping mornings go. I woke up and was actually able to get a shower to wash the past four days off of me and then for a nominal fee I was served a pancake breakfast by the proprietors of the campground. Not a bad deal. They were scrumptious.
We got back on the road and started the relatively short journey toward Yellowstone, entering Wyoming. They really play up the whole "Wild West" thing out here.
We entered Grand Teton (that means "large breast") National Park on our way. They are connected, which I was unaware of.
The Tetons were picturesquely amazing. We stopped at a picnic area that had a wonderful view of the snow-capped mountains and the lake.
We soon came upon Yellowstone National Park, where we were welcomed in for their "free weekend" (which is good for people who don't already have a NP pass) and then I promptly pulled into another picnic area to enjoy some frosted mini wheats.
We consulted our map and found our way to Old Faithful, which I'm pretty sure is more famous than Yellowstone itself.
Since the eruption of the geyser is fairly regular, hence the name, they had the next time up on the board, prompting a large crowd along the walkway surrounding it. People waited anxiously, cameras in hand with impatient eyes checking their watches every few minutes to make sure they hadn't missed it.
After a short wait the geyser began to bubble over and eventually it spewed water high into the air for a minute or so. I've gotten into the habit of putting my camera down after I get a few shots because I want to experience things for real and not just through my viewfinder. The eruption was pretty awesome though as I thought about all the thermal dynamics involved and the underground volcano that is the reason Yellowstone exists.
After the big show, everyone dispersed and we took the boardwalk trail that leads visitors to many more amazing sights. The bubbling, running water was all over and all different colors. It made some great patterns that looked like nothing I had ever seen elsewhere.
Some of the bubbling pots of water seemed like they belonged on another planet. This peculiar formation was created like other mounds that are even larger as the minerals in the bubbling water collect and grow over long periods of time. Nature is amazing.
Speaking of amazing, the Morning Glory Pool is just awesome. The rings of colors are actually microorganisms that live in the extreme temperatures of the pools. It's beautiful but ominous how deep the dark hole in the center goes.. though I realize it doesn't actually go down that far, it seems like any sort of creature from the Legend of Zelda could be living down there.
On the walk back I was intrigued and pretty frightened by the buffalo that were roaming across the walking path. A lot of fearless people were just a few feet away from them taking pictures. No, thanks. Not after reading about the visitors who were gored by them. This looks like I'm close, but that's what zoom is for, ladies and gentlement.
From a safe distance I enjoyed looking at the large herd (or whatever a pack of buffalo is called) with their babies. They're pretty spry for such large animals.
We got a campsite in the park and, for the first time on this trip, we started a fire. We had to gather and cut some wood first but a camping neighbor graciously offered us some of his wood. Firewood.
After the fire was roaring we put a pot of water on to boil with some rice. We took this chance to roast some marshmallows as well. I need to take my time and carefully toast mine. No burns.
Once the rice was finished, we mixed in corn and peas and stirred it up to form a tasty hot meal. It wasn't the best thing ever but it always tastes better when you cook it yourself over a fire. It was filling, for sure.
We finally secured the rain guard on the tent correctly and when it started raining for real we added an extra, ghetto layer of protection. Whatever works. We packed up the stuff and ducked into the tent pretty early. I should note that it was still light when it was after 9 though.
We spent some time playing cards while it rained outside and then I did some reading before bed. A nearby camper had brought his dog, which apparently only growls and doesn't bark. With all the bear warning signs around it was pretty creepy.
I don't know if it was the rain on the tent or the exhaustion from picking all the firewood but I felt no trouble getting to sleep.
Today's distance: 219.7 miles. Being from Jersey, you really have no idea how many miles of roads exist inside the borders of National Parks.
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