The Big Thaw

Late, late, late night ride into Yellowstone. We pitched our tents after midnight. Chilly enterprise. We were sure that once we got all covered up, deep, restful sleep would await us. NOT so. Woke up numerous times, unable to feel our extremities, that is when we were able to sleep. I wondered if Camille had frozen to death. We will wear our entire suitcase worth of clothes from here on out, and a hat to bed as well.

Fabulous day at Yellowstone. Had to wait till the sun came up fully to thaw out, giving us a late start to the day. It was glorious relaxing all closed up in the tent, sun heating it and me up, quiet air inside it. Outside was still breezy and chilly in the shadows. 

On our way to Old Faithful we stopped briefly at Keplar Cascades.

Old Faithful took her good old time, but eventually  blew at around 3:15 pm. It was really relaxing to fill the waiting time with drawing. We hit Black Sands Basin which is full of boiling hot pots. At 6 pm we were treated to views of buffalo, elk and coyotes feeding and/or frolicking in the prairie grasses. A clue to see the wildlife is the cluster of cars pulled over on the side of the road. A grizzly bear had quite a crowd watching it eat as we were making our way back to the camp.

America, regardless of ones political leanings, is a land of universally wondrous resources as witnessed by the numerous languages that could be heard as we moved and mingled with the crowds. The results of forest fires from the late 80s is still evident in the landscaping.

The hot pools of water have so many different colors to them. It was interesting to find out that it is because of the bacteria they host. When the temperature of a pool rises or falls, bacteria can be killed off and a different strain grow, changing the color of the pools. This one is called the Abyss. It is too deep to see the bottom, at least where the picture was taken from, but a beautiful color of blue.