Day 16- Yellowstone Old Faithful

 Today we drove the lower loop of Yellowstone.  We stopped at Old Faithful and spent about three hours there.  We packed our backpacks and lunch and headed out on a hike.  We saw the geyser erupt twice.  It is so fascinating that it erupts so regularly.  We listened to a “Ranger Talk” right before it erupted and he was saying that the water that comes out each time the geyser erupts hasn’t been out of the ground for over 500 years.  On our hike we saw thermal pools running off into a river.  It was very cool to know that the water running off was warm but the river was so cold and they were so close together.  All four of us were dreaming about how cool it would be to just hop into one of the thermal pools.  The water is so crystal clear and there is only steam coming up from it not boiling bubbles!

We stopped in at the Madison Ranger Station so Duncan and Douglas could hand in their work for becoming a Junior Ranger.  Len and I were talking about how good it is that the kids really do have to work for these badges. The rangers look over their work and ask them questions about things they’ve learned or seen. After all of the reviewing of work, the kids get “sworn” in.

Today was a lucky day for viewing wildlife again.  We were lucky to see another grizzly.  Both of the boys have binoculars that they have used every day that we have been here. The grizzly was across the river from us.  We also saw three bull elk right on the side of the road.  We also saw tons of bison.  You know your kids are adapting to their surroundings when the following takes place: “Look up ahead.  A bunch of cars have stopped.  I wonder what it is.” “ Oh, its just another bison.  You can keep driving.” That is representative of just how many bison we saw!

On our drive we also stopped at the Continental Divide.  We were at the highest point at which all four major rivers flow from the same lake.  And the water from the lake flows in two different directions!

I think we have finally figured out the sleeping arrangements for optimal warmth and comfort.  It got down to 35 degrees last night but we were all toasty warm! Since we are not willing to mess with what works, we’ll be doing the same again tonight! We have all agreed that four nights in a tent with no running water or electricity was fun and exciting but we are all ready to sleep in beds.  Tomorrow we leave Yellowstone and make the 80-mile drive to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park!