Yellowstone at a Glance

Monday--Day 1
   It drizzled rain for most of the morning.  However, it did not dampen our spirits as we rode to see the many sights on one of the loops in Yellowstone. Today was geyser day. We saw many thermal pools, hot spots and geysers. They are very fascinating and beautiful. Yellowstone was a volcano and the hot ground underneath creates a thermal layer causing the hot pools of water. These pools of water are different colors and are gorgeous. All are named. Of course, the most famous of all is the Old Faithful. When we arrived at the sight for Old Faithful, we were surprised to find out we only had about 10 minutes until it was predicted to erupt. Thus, the reason for the name. It has been very "faithful" and dependable about when it erupts, And, just like always it erupted for about 2 minutes right at 1:30 pm. what a sight to see!!  WOW!!! These geysers and hot spots are amazing.

Tuesday--Day 2
  Today we took a different look in Yellowstone. We had been disappointed on Monday because we did not see any animals at all. Today was the day. We saw buffalo and elk. The buffalo we saw across the river. It got into the water and swam down a ways. Then it got out on the other side, close to us on the road. All of us and the cars coming close came to a halt so we could watch and take pictures of this buffalo. Up on the road he went, standing in the middle of one of the lanes looking around and at the van who had stopped right in front of him. Then he continues on across the road to the side of the hill.  All the time, I am snapping pictures of him. What a sight to see! These animals are HUGE! They weight up to 2,000 pounds and can run up to 40 mph. We are NOT going to do anything to cause him to storm at us!  We finally got on our bikes and continued on.  Later in the day, we saw two herds of buffalo on the side of a mountain. They were slowly moving along. Pat yelled we better move on if we didn't want to wait for them to cross the road. They were not in a hurry. So, off we went, to finish our trip.
   Later in the day, as we were going around Yellowstone Lake, we noticed many cars stopped and pulled over on the side of the road. If you have been to Yellowstone, then you know what this means. There are animals up ahead.  Sure enough, I got off the bike quickly and walked up to where all the folks were. There, down in the water along the side, were two grown elk. The antlers were huge. I mean about 2 feet tall! Amazing!! Again, I began taking pictures as they moved along the edge of the lake. AT one point, the elk looked right up at me!!! WHOA!! I got that one. It was as if he was posing for me.. What a treat.

Wednesday -- Day 3
   We headed out to Mammoth Lake. It is known for its huge hot springs. The ride was slow as they were working on the road up there. Because there are so few roads around Yellowstone once you started you had to keep going or turn around and go back the way you came. No side roads to take. No alternatives. You keep on going. We did discuss turning around, but in the end were very glad we didn't. We saw several very beautfiul falls and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  On the way back to the camp, once again we saw traffic stopped ahead. A car came by and said there was a bear up ahead. Off I went to see for myself. When this happens, cars pull off both sides of the road to take a look. Folks are used to this happening so know what to do. Pull your tires completely off the road. Sure enough, it was a bear!!! He was in the water having a blast. I told Norm, Pat, and Rick he looked like a child showing off for folks watching him. He would go down into the water and come up and shake his body.  Then, he would go down again and come up again. It was so much fun to watch.  Next, the bear got out of the water, and shimmied up a tree. He sat up there a few minutes and came down again. Then he lumbered off in the opposite direction. WOW!!  What a treat!!!!

Yellowstone is an amazing place!  What a way to see God's creation and His wondrous works!! You cannot doubt who He is when you see these amazing sights!!!