Day 6 ~ Yellowstone Park~ Day 2

Thursday ~ June 23, 2011

Remember how we told you that Kathy kept calling Mick BOB? Well, Mick had a surprise for Kathy when he got to our campsite on Thursday morning!
He and Jim thought it would be funny to have him wear a name tag!
They got her good!
You might ask, "Did this help?" It took her a few times but she really did start calling him by his right name!!

Once in the park, we met up with a few animals right away! This moose was headed back into the woods when we found him!

Another traffic jam brought us to this fun guy! He was on the side of the road on a hill. Munching on some grass and plants! Diana was able to get some great shots of this guy~


We learned the bears love to eat the Balsam Root flower~ although our grizzly wasn't eating them at the time! They are everywhere in Yellowstone!

We head to the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, the oldest hotel in Yellowstone. It was built in 1889, small and plain, with just 80 rooms. It was closed during both World Wars and was taken over by TWA Services, Inc, who began a decade long reconstruction. It now has 158 guest rooms!

This is the view from the lobby~

Dave, Kathy and Jim at windows of lobby.
The lobby holds art work of local artists, as well as glass cases with pictures from times long ago!

We then crossed this...

Just another picture of a rainbow at one of the three falls in Yellowstone!

Jim, Mick, Kathy and Diana~

We drive to the Old Faithful Inn next. We arrive with plenty of time to see the Inn then get outside for the timed eruption of Old Faithful. Old Faithful erupts every 63 munites ~ give or take 10 minutes on either side!

Inside the Inn, Mick says to explore... he will wait right here for us!
Built in early 1904, the Inn is the design of Robert Reamer, 29, who was from Ohio! When first opened, a band would play up in this "crow's nest"~ it is now closed after an earthquake in 1959, because it was deemed "unsafe". Mick told us bands would play up there while down in the lobby the guests would dance.
Robert Reamer wanted lighting to make it look candle lit!
Outside on the second floor balcony are tables where you can watch Old Faithful!

Dave is amazed with the craftmenship~ he is getting lots of ideas for his woodshop at home!

In the bar, artist Walter Oehrle craved these adorable panels out of Douglas fir.

Lanterns for sale in the gift shop!
More from inside the Inn..



Time to get outside for the big eruption!


Unbelievable!

The Inn from the outside!

Jim is ever ready for a bear attack! Bear Hands!!

Back in the car... Hey wait a minute! We want to stop here!

No worries... we have something cold to drink as we cruise!

After lunch we check out the map with Mick.


Morning Glory Pool is our next stop. A hot spring. This is filled with beautiful robin egg blue water~ Mick told us to watch closely as it bubbles up!

While watching Morning Glory, Mick began to run telling us to follow~ He pointed out the White Dome, which was erupting right at the moment~


We teased Mick that he must have a remote in his pocket and was just setting these things off just for us! A few minutes later we actually drove by the White Dome, sitting quietly, after the spill. It is the last picture above.


Mick took us to an area filled with geothermal activity... once out of the car and on the path we found this Rocky Mountain Blue Bird in his little home! Look close at picture three~got him in flight!

Time to pose for pictures!




On to the Geological parts of the lower loop! Mick taught us about the FOUR GEOTHERMAL FEATURES~ Hot Springs, Mud Pots, Steam Vents and Geysers~~

Look and Learn People!




Want to make your own?
Guests follow a wooden pathway built over the activity. Yikes... Moms and Dads, hold on to the kids!
















Awesome, right? We saw the roots of fallen trees branch out instead of down. Big storm winds can topple trees here in Yellowstone.

Another home sweet home!

Back into the car and off to The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.


Many believe Yellowstone got it's name for the yellow rock here. It is steep and deep and Diana and Jim were not too fond of it all~ mostly, again, because children were hanging over the edge while parents paid no attention~ our stomachs couldn't take it!

Over the edge we see the Ospry nest with the momma and egg inside! Love a zoom lens, don't you?

Nothing bothers Kathy...
The falls...
Magical~
Somebody thinks they are funny!


They never forget~ They are in BEAR country!
Crazy gorgeous...






The falls...
Special moments!



Back in the car...

Our last sight? Well Di "bearly" got him, but yes, it is the little Grizzly from earlier. Kathy wondered why he was wandering around all by himself and Mick told us he thought it might be a three year old who was just sent packing by his mother! You are on your own now mister!

Good luck!

There is so much more going on... just you wait and see!