WST Day 9: Yellowstone, Day 3

Yellowstone abounds with geysers (Old Faithful is only one), fumaroles, sizzling waters and mud volcanoes.

The entire park is a mega volcano that has erupted several times in the earth's life and will erupt again - someday in the future.

The reality that your feet are not that far from magma at any time is exciting (and a bit unnerving).

This hot spring is Dragon's Mouth.

It is most aptly named as it makes the most eerie sound as the steam burps/belches out of the cave mouth every couple of seconds. It sounds like it's an asthmatic gasping for air!

This is neither a geyser nor a hot spring, it is a mud volcano. I can't remember its name but the mud pops and spits and spurts just like water boiling right before you toss in the pasta AND it smells of sulphur!

Yellowstone is an ever changing smorgasbord of terrain, flora and fauna.

On our way from Norris to Canyon, I spied this vista and just sighed.

Nancy saw that Sheepeater Cliff was on our way today. All three of us speculated on the meaning of its name, mostly we agreed it was going to be a high palisade that sheep fell over while not paying attention as they were grazing or being chased by a wolf or grizzly.

We were shocked to find it is not very tall (perhaps 40 feet) and named for the Shoshone Indians!

Once again, Yellowstone surprised us!

The sulphurous aroma of hot springs is almost overpowering at times. Yet, as I mentioned yesterday, the bison and birds seem unaffected by it. And I thought they had more sensitive olfactory awareness than humans.

The earth here is so porous that steam is everywhere. I always thought these vents were for storm water drainage, not in Yellowstone. As Nancy investigated, she realized the drain is actually above the standing water in the parking lot.

I found I actually liked, well, was awed by the hot springs almost more than the geysers. The geysers you can spot anywhere, just look for the plume of steam and you'll find one.

Hot springs are more subtle as their plumes are not as high or as attention-getting, but they are amazing. I kept wondering about how the tribes who found this place explained these natural phenomena. (GREAT! I've given myself another homework assignment!)




 Yellowstone's Petrified Tree called to us. Nancy and I were "petrified tree virgins" and walked up the slope to see it. Huh! it looks like a craggy stone plinth, but its back story is amazing. It was one of three petrified redwoods in the park when Roosevelt created the place. However, according to the official plaque, "thoughtless tourists" chipped pieces of the trees until only the one remained, so it is now imprisoned (protected) by an iron fence. Nonetheless the majesty of it remains.

And I tried a selfie with something older than myself!!!

The day ended with a wonderful treat - FB has great reflexes and  braked hard as we came around a twist on the descending mountain road and saw......

I'll conclude Yellowstone with one of my favorite views of Lower Falls.