Gallivanting Grandma

Saturday, August 30,2014        48 degrees & drizzling

As they say in Scotland, it was “misting” this morning. We didn’t mind since this was only our second day of rain on this entire trip. As I checked out of the Snow Lodge, I noticed that Old Faithful was scheduled to put on her show in ten minutes, so we rushed over to the Lodge.

View of Old Faithful Geyser From the Lodge

We had noticed indoor viewing from the large windows when we explored the Lodge yesterday. It was 7:30 in the morning so there weren’t many people around for the eruption.

Rustic Lodge

We had front row seats and watched as the old geyser puffed and spewed with increasing force then she ‘let it rip’ with great strength and height. I guess Old Faithful was a “morning person” because this eruption was higher and stronger than the one we watched a couple of days ago. It restored my faith in geysers.

Old Faithful

On The Road Again

Afterwards, we had coffee in the Lodge then drove out of Yellowstone’s Western Gate toward Bozeman, Montana. Several hours later, we stopped for lunch and walked around a bit. Bozeman seemed more like a college town than a tourist destination. In comparison, Jackson Hole seemed lively and more fun.

Lunch in Bozeman

Sign in Burger Bob’s

Jeff had found a reference to the American Computer & Robotics Museum near the University. We had to go. With the help of Google Maps, we found it.  The young woman at the reception desk said it was one sixth of one man’s collection. There were several rooms arranged chronologically telling the story of communication and the development of computers. It was much better than we expected and well worth seeing. The best part of the museum was a life-sized copy of Robbie the Robot, from the film Forbidden Planet.

Bozeman Attraction

Old Computers

Rain Clouds Along Rt. 89 North

Driving Into White Sulphur Springs, Montana

Local Hot Rod

Sports & Western Wear Shop

Clearing Weather Along Route 89

The road continued through vast wheat fields as far as we could see along the horizon in all directions. We passed through small western towns for several hours. We were in ‘Big Sky Country’ and the ever-changing cloud formations were amazing.

Route 87 in Montana Among Wheat Fields

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..

Entrance to the Norris Geyser Basin

Norris 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.

Boardwalk 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.

Like a Moonscape

Algae in the Water

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

Visitors Above the Steaming Ground

Constant Geyser Erupting

Steaming Pools

Colorful Algae

Female 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.

The Snow Lodge Reception

Snow 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.

Old Faithful Inn

Back 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.”

Interior of Lodge

View 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…. 

View Across the Great Lounge

Lodge Dining Room

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

Thursday – August 28, 2014   42 degrees & sunny   Elevation: 7732 feet

Lake Lodge

We had a leisurely morning at the Lake Hotel and explored the surrounding area. There are cabins, camp grounds, a lodge, dormitory for workers, a post office, and a general store in the vicinity. 

Main Room in the Lodge

The Lodge is rustic and houses a cafeteria and a large laundry room. It also has a comfortable lounge area and rustic porch complete with wooden rocking chairs.

Guest Telephones

Hot Gases on the Northern Banks of Yellowstone Lake

Fishing Bridge Raven

After we explored the Yellowstone Lake area, we drove north to the Norris area to visit the Geyser Basin. We saw the Mud Volcanos and walked on the boardwalks above the warm fragile earth.

Mini Volcano

Cooking Hillside

Sulphur Cauldron

The Dragon’s Mouth Spring roared and grumbled loudly as it spewed hot vapor into the air. Warm water splashed out of the hole causing waves onto the opposite side.

Dragon’s Mouth Spring

Hot Spring

On the way back to the Lake Hotel, we stopped at the Upper and Lower Falls of the Canyon. We drove out to Inspiration Point to see the magnificent view then drove back to the civilization of our hotel.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Upper Falls

Wednesday – August 27, 2014

Sign in the Park

We spent the night in Jackson Hole, checked out of the hotel, and returned to Yellowstone National Park in the morning. It was a beautiful day and we drove along the scenic road through Grand Teton National Park instead of the main road.

Ride Through Grand Teton National Park

The scenic road goes along Jackson Lake. We stopped to take photos and met a young family from New Jersey who had been camping for the last week. The two daughters were having a good time, but Mom yearned for the creature comforts of a good hotel. I was impressed that Jersey Dad was able to drive a huge pick-up truck pulling a very large camper. We wished each other ‘Happy Trails’ and continued on our way.

Jackson Lake

We ate our picnic lunch and continued to Mammoth Hot Springs which is located at the northern end of Yellowstone. The bubbling gas pools were impressive and huge.

Bubbling Gases

Sulphur Hill

Mammoth Hot Springs

Colorful Algae River

On our southbound drive, cars were stopped on the road to allow a herd of bison to cross the road. Toward late afternoon, the animals feed closer to the roads. We stopped and jumped out of the car to take photos with the other tourists.

American Bison

Crossing the Road

Hello!

American Tourists

Calf

Herd Near Our Car

After a time, we decided we had taken much too many bison photos, so we pressed on to The Lake Hotel where we had reservations for the next two nights.

Yellowstone Lake Hotel

Major renovations had been completed this year and the interior was like a new hotel. It was very comfortable and almost elegant. Lake Hotel had the services of a five-star hotel (bell hops, concierge, valet, dining room, great location, etc.) except there was no cell phone service, no wifi, no internet service, and no television.

Lounge With a View

We had all the creature comforts set within the great outdoors of the national park far away from world problems. It was a great place to stay!

View of Yellowstone Lake

Tuesday – August 26,2014     41 degrees & low clouds at 6:00 AM

Jackson is a town in the Jackson Hole Valley of Teton County, Wyoming. Most people call the town Jackson Hole and with an elevation of 6311 feet, it is well known for its ski resorts and other outdoor opportunities.

Grand Tetons in the Morning

We awoke early for the long drive to Yellowstone National Park which passes the magnificent Tetons. We arrived at the Old Faithful section of the park just in time to see the famous geyser erupt. The next eruption was predicted in eighty-eight minutes so we rushed outside and took seats around the large viewing area.

Old Faithful

We learned that the eruptions, which last for just a few minutes, vary in height. This one wasn’t particularly impressive. However, as I sat watching and listening to the exclamations of the crowd, I realized that Old Faithful is as iconic an American symbol as the Statue of Liberty or the Grand Canyon. It felt good to participate in the event.

Yellowstone Bus

Bright yellow 1930s buses were restored for tours in the park in 2007.  They carry visitors around the park on a variety of paid tours. Since distances take so long to cover in this national park, the bus was a good idea for people who want to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Beehive Geyser

We explored the Old Faithful Inn and asked if they had any vacancies in the park for the next three nights. Luck was with us and we made reservations at The Lake Hotel and The Snow Lodge. On our return to the Visitors Center, the Beehive Geyser was about to perform its daily eruption. We rushed outside and it was quite an impressive show!

A Sulphur Pool

Tempest in a Teapot

Hot Ground

Elk by the Road

Double Rainbows

Sunset Over the Tetons