July 29th: Holland suggested we give Yellowstone another chance … this time from a different angle.
My head congestion was clearer - and I was breathing easier: so, that is what we did today :-)
We set off bright and early; I skipped getting dolled up again.
I flashed the Senior Lifetime Pass Card again at the Park Entrance … we turned left at the junction towards Mammoth Hot Springs, and had a good day!
The drive was pleasant; we laughed and held hands like kids on a date ;-)
We saw some wildlife: not a lot, but certainly more than we saw yesterday. Today, we saw an elk, a buffalo, a dragon fly, and a bee … this side is alive, whereas yesterday's venture looked like a dead and condemned zone.
We spent the day exploring Wyoming again, and crossed back into Montana at 2:25 PM, safe and sound ;-)
Yellowstone National Park is located in an active volcanic caldera. The Yellowstone Caldera in north-western Wyoming is one of the largest volcanoes in the world; a sleeping giant nestled in the western part of the United States. Though it stirs occasionally, it has not roused itself into volcanic action in nearly 70,000 years.
What is the difference between a crater and a caldera?
Craters are formed by the outward explosion of rocks and other materials from a volcano. Calderas are formed by the inward collapse of a volcano. Craters are usually more circular than calderas.
Based on past research and the general location of the volcano itself, the blast radius of Yellowstone's caldera is quite large. When it comes to lava and magma flows spewing forth from this volcanic eruption, Yellowstone National Park would likely need to evacuate everyone within a 40 to 50 mile radius.
If another large, caldera-forming eruption were to occur at Yellowstone, its effects would be worldwide. Volcanologists believe a Yellowstone super eruption would bury large swaths of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah in up to three feet of toxic volcanic ash.
Wispy clouds over our heads as we left Cameron for Yellowstone.
Holland getting something for us to munch on; we are both morning junk food junkies. Freshly baked Maple Bar; Holland had a Glazed Bar.
Giving Yellowstone National Park 1 more shot …
Right off the bat, we saw an Elk Cow - Elohim was setting us up for a fulfilling daytrip.
We nipped in at a campsite to use the bathroom; that steel box on the lower right side is a food cache box - mandatory in bear country.
Little, compact, Lodgepole Pine cone; these cones only open up & fertilize, when burned.
Holland saw this from the highway, and turned right into the parking lot.
Rules Sign.
The waters here are very clear, and the rocks & mineral deposits are very bright and colorful.
Thermal activity; Iceland harvests their thermal energy.
Pretty ice-blue color under the boiling water spout.
The viewing was in a short looping pattern; Holland was able to walk the whole thing with me :-)
The water is boiling temperature all over the place …
Holland did good when he spied this bubbling area.
Summertime Moose '{sign}; LOL
Gibbons Falls - upper portion. Heights make me dizzy.
Wild roses scented the breeze; wild roses smell the best - especially when sun warmed :-)
I broke my own 'hard& fast rule' concerning wild animals in the wild. It was STILL in the SAME spot when we backtracked, 6 hours later.
This portion of Yellowstone is the best for roadside attractions.
Steam shooting from a hole in the hill, & boiling water hot spring; 'Beryl Spring'.
This seemed like fun …
Holland insisted I take my inhaler with me - I stuck it in my bra. People were wondering why I had a square boob. LOL
Everything looked promising; the walk wouldn't be a long one.
Gravel paths; I was praying there would no bear, or rattlesnake, encounters.
A pretty dead landscape.
Thermal activity Plaque.
Decision junction …
Big disappointment; 14-minute hike, at this point.
I took the shortest experience - the 'Flash Spring' geyser.
A 2-minute walk from the junction …
WOW; 141 years of continual activity {since recorded}.
I could not have made that climb to see the 'Paint Pots' - NO WAY.
Today's venture into Yellowstone is a LOT more exciting than yesterday.
A steam plume coming from the hillside got us pulling over into a parking lot for a closer look.
Information Plaque.
Holland has 'eagle eyes'; he saw things I couldn't see with the sun in my eyes.
Obsidian Information Plaque.
So glad I did not have to walk far to see obsidian rock; it was easily viewed right in the parking lot.
Cool!
Ribbons of obsidian flow through this rock formation.
Real cool.
Holland really goes above and beyond … I LOVE this guy!
Michael Bolton - 'Soul Provider' song:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpHP2KjUKDY)
The 'Caldera Rim'; I stood in the pickup bed to pan the circular vision. This Supervolcano eruption was unlike anything recorded in modern human history.
(https://www.yellowstoneexplored.com/yellowstone-caldera-rim)
HUGE waterfall along the highway; I leaned against the sign and my heart got a workout when one rotted end gave way! Heights and I are not 'friends'; highway continues forward over a steel bridge built on supports over open air above the deep gully!
Bighorn sheep country - actually kinda beautiful.
TIGHT squeeze for Beast 'Betsy'.
2 pretty lakes …
I was praying we did not have to cross the bridge in the distance … to the right.
Mammoth Hot Springs - on the left.
Again, this Yellowstone attraction is totally inaccessible to the elderly (I hate using that term, even though I am 66 yo!) and disabled (like Holland) … plus, the area is a BUSY tourist trap.
It's been a great day! A 6-hour-drive 1-way, with gawking stops; LOL
We got home a LOT quicker than we explored - home 2 hours; exploration 6 hours.
Someone went off the road - 3 policed cars, 1 ambulance, and 1 rescue bus were deployed; traffic was routed.
No comments:
Post a Comment