Geyser Gazers

August 29th, 2014

Friday – August 29, 2014     48 degrees & sunny

There had been a huge thunderstorm last night with dramatic lightening and loud rumbling thunder.  This was our last full day in Yellowstone and we had a few more sights to see. We checked out of the lovely Lake Hotel and drove to the eastern Norris section of the park..

DSC_4090Entrance to the Norris Geyser Basin

DSC_4095Norris Geyser Basin

There was a self-proclaimed “Geyser Gazer” sitting on a bench in the middle of the boardwalk surrounded by steaming sulphur-smelling pools of hot gas. He encouraged visitors to stay to watch Constant Geyser erupt. The Geezer said the eruption occurred every seventeen minutes – give or take a few minutes. A small crowd gathered and on cue, Constant did its thing.

DSC_4103Boardwalk Across the Basin

It was weird to walk above the warm bubbling earth that looked like pictures of the surface of the moon. The pungent odor of sulphur filled the air and tickled inside my nose.

DSC_4108Like a Moonscape

DSC_4118Algae in the Water

Algae and other micro-organisms grow in the warm water. The wide varieties of algae cause the different colors.

DSC_4124Visitors Above the Steaming Ground

DSC_4134Constant Geyser Erupting

DSC_4139Steaming Pools

DSC_4142Colorful Algae

DSC_4151Female Elk on the Road

After we visited several Geyser Basins, we drove to the Snow Lodge where we had a reservation for the night. It was located near Old Faithful and we walked around that area to explore the buildings. Snow Lodge was the only facility in the park which is open to visitors during the winter.

DSC_4165The Snow Lodge Reception

DSC_4167Snow Lodge Lounge

Our room was very clean and comfortable despite no cell phone, no television, and no internet. The decor is rustic modern and practical for skiers. It reminded me of an alpine hotel we stayed at in Switzerland.

DSC_4168Old Faithful Inn

DSC_4180Back Door of the Inn

The Old Faithful Inn was a glorious log building built in 1903. It had a sweeping five-story center area and a huge fireplace. It was quite elegant for a wilderness “log cabin.”

DSC_4183Interior of Lodge

DSC_4192View of the Clock From Balcony

We found a comfortable leather couch on the second floor overlooking the main level and made ourselves comfortable to enjoy the view. After a few minutes, a little girl, about four years old, joined us and sat next to me. I greeted her and asked her name. “Sage,” she said with a bright baby-tooth smile. “S – A – G – E,” she spelled for me. “Like sagebrush,” she added proudly. A true western kid, I thought…. 

DSC_4193View Across the Great Lounge

DSC_4203Lodge Dining Room

There’s nothing like creature comforts in the wilderness! Especially at my age…..

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