Then, finally, Old Faithful, simmering and smoking constantly, as she builds up for her big eruption! She is still faithful, but not quite as dependable. The eruptions now happen somewhere between 45 and 120 minutes apart.
We were far from the only folks around. Here is one side of the early crowd; grew larger as the time approached. And this isn't prime season!
When the eruption starts, there are is a whoosh of smoke and water!
Then, full glory for 2-5 minutes. The conditions weren't perfect for a great shot, but look closely - the plume extends to the very top of the picture.
Old Faithful isn't the only geyser that erupts in the Upper Geyser Basin. There are many more, some eruption every few minutes, some every few hours, some years. Most continuously send out steam.
Luke was lucky enough to be at the Grand Geyser when she erupted - this is the tallest predictable geyser in the world. An average eruption lasts 9-12 minutes and sends up to 4 powerful bursts up as far as 200 ft.
There are lots of fascinating "thermal features" in the park. The most popular is the Morning Glory Pool, named in the 1880's for it's likeness to the flower.
Some are just dull brown, but beautiful in their own strange ways.
I liked this blue one, with it's many under water ledges.
This rascal just bubbles and burbles constantly, spewing steam from it's 200 degree plus water.
I missed this, but Luke, Lisa, Mat, and Simon saw fresh grizzly bear tracks near the boardwalk! LOOK at those claws!
We did see a coyote on the way home. It was trotting down the side of the road (not the grassy side, but the paved shoulder). He ignored us. We were so startled and he was so close that we didn't get a picture. However, we did catch this elk cow and her calf ambling across THEIR road.
A crowd had gathered of course, many out in the street. While everyone watched them, the King of the Road strolled out from behind us, definitely owning HIS road! Huge. That's about all I can say. He strolled down the road, between parked cars and tourists (all backing away), and down an embankment, following the cow to the rest of his harem in the field.
Today, new adventures. I know why this is such a popular park!!!
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