Yellowstone--Day 1

September 23rd, 2012

After touring Bannack, Shelby and I drove seventy miles to Yellowstone. We crossed through a section of Idaho, enjoyed the scenery, and arrived at the edge of Yellowstone just as darkness was falling. The KOA did not have any camping cabins available, so we went to the next campground up the road and rented a tent site. We put up our tent in the glow of my car's headlights. It was below freezing, too. But, we endured and created a cozy campsite beside a creek. :) 

On our first morning in Yellowstone, it didn't take long to spot a bison. They were everywhere.

Yellowstone is a beautiful national park, and one which I hope to explore more in the future. 

The experts say that if the volcanic table under Yellowstone ever explodes, it will take Wyoming and a bunch of other states with it. What a comforting thought as you drive on top of the volcano.



There are no handrails or fences along the section of the park with boiling mud pots and geysers. I seriously doubt I will ever take children to this place. I would be a nervous wreck the entire time.



At certain times of the year, this geyser runs low on water and sends up steam. It creates a roaring, screaming sound. Very creepy!

Boiling mud pots

Inside the Yellowstone lodge--The crow's nest at the top of this picture is not open to the public due to an earthquake back in the 1950s. It caused the beams to shift, so the staircase is no longer structurally sound.

Old Faithful

Historic Yellowstone Lodge

Some of the geyser water runs off in the river, causing those sections of the river to boil!

The river rocks look like gold, hence the name Yellowstone. :)

Morning Glory Pool

This geyser was flinging out water with such force, it was spraying me on the boardwalk! I smelled like sulphur for the rest of the afternoon.

Shelby had to take a closer look.

Boiling river

~Sisters, traveling companions, adventurers~

This spring is huge, but looks way cooler in the picture taken from space.

Bison viewing

Bison are not the most handsome creatures, that's for certain. They look mangy and have beady little eyes.

Elk

We watched a herd of elk at the end of our first day in Yellowstone.