Mudpots Geysers Pools

Celestine Pool

We ventured out again yesterday to Yellowstone National Park, this time didn't leave until noon.  Our destination was to go to the area called Fountain Paint Pots Mudhole which is almost due south of where we are staying in Gardiner.  We traveled south on the Grand Loop Road, past Mammoth and Norris Junction, heading still south towards Old Faithful area, but about 10 miles north of that to this particular area.  Again, we are amazed at how big this national park is.  Of the 10 largest national parks, 7 of them are in Alaska, Death Valley ranks #6. Yellowstone ranks #8, and Everglades ranks #10.  Big.  Seems we drive forever to get to somewhere, but put into perspective - when we were in Glacier, we had to drive 3 hours from Hungry Horse just to get to the Many Glacier area.  I guess driving 1 hour isn't bad to get to this particular area.  Roads are great, nothing like Going -to-the-Sun-Road! But - we haven't been to Old Faithful or to Yellowstone Lake/Fishing Bridge areas  yet.  And, when we leave here in about 10 days, we will be driving AGAIN through the park to get to the east entrance on our way to Cody, Wyoming.

Jet Geyser

Had to watch for a lone buffalo as it walks along the road.  Since we have seen herds of them in Custer, South Dakota, we aren't wowed by them as other tourists here are.  The funny thing is - you only see one at a time - not bunches of them as in Custer.  We wonder why.  Have seen elk lounging around, no bears and no wolves.  Also drove past Roaring Mountain - no roar, no gases escaping - our timing was great the other day.  Rain had been threatening but we wanted to see something - got wow factor at this site. Stink of sulphur in the air, smelled like rotten eggs.

Saw bubbling mud pots - steam escaping in an area where there is mud - and the mud is bubbling/gurgling.  Hope to get better pictures of this at other sites.  Also watching another geyser when the Jet Geyser blew and people missed it - looking the other way.  Within 10 seconds - gone. Beautiful springs and pools of hot water with the hot mist blowing, you have to imagine years ago people used to come to breath in this mist, standing for hours just breathing it in.  Saw/heard hissing of steam roaring out of the ground.  The crystal blue water of these hot springs is amazing to see.  Azure blue is the best description like you see in the Bahamas.

Firehole Canyon - Firehole River - standing on cliff looking down

On our way back we drove the Firehole loop road, a small little side trip that takes you deep into a canyon where a spectacular series of waterfalls of the Gibbon River are.  This area was formed from lava flow of a volcanic eruption.  Regardless, magnificent to see, looking down into the canyon with the roar of the water.

Made a stop at Norris Junction where the Museum of the Park Ranger is.  The movies we watched where great - gave history of the park system, but was disappointed that it didn't speak more about the training of a ranger, what their duties are, how many are there, what their daily life is like.  Got back on the road and to Mammoth Hot Springs area and the elk were lounging around on the grass.  They don't seem to mind the people, and the people just gawking at them.  Those puppies are pooping machines - poop (scat) all over the place.  Yuk.  Will sit still now for a couple of days - rain is predicted for today and Sunday.  Did have rain during the night, great to hear on the rooftop.