Woke up, had a quick breakfast and immediately went to the next desired campsite. Stopped at the one right before it, just in case. It was full. It wasn’t even noon yet! On to the next one, the one I was hoping for. Driving over, I crossed the Continental Divide. And then again. The third time I declared Blair Whitch. I stopped to look at the map to confirm I wasn’t nuts. I wasn’t, not for this reason anyway. Took a picture and continued on. Entering the campsite, I saw most of it was flooded, but I spotted one right at the beginning, and luckily, it was shady. I don’t know if I can handle a sauna in the morning. Set up camp and went out to discover Yellowstone.
I had gone through the map they give you upon entering the park. I circled anything that was labeled as a fall. I know… I can’t get enough of them. They’re all different, and they’re all mesmerizing. And I can stare at each and every one of them for hours on end. I hopelessly take tons of pictures, with each one reminding myself of my hypocritical tendency. I know I can’t get the picture I want, no matter what camera I have. Even taking videos isn’t sufficient. I do my best. But nothing compares to being there, standing by the waterfall, hearing it’s decent upon the rocks, feeling its mist, even better if there is a slight breeze, watching each drop fall to join the flow below.
The first waterfall was Mystic Falls. That was a hike. Of course before getting to the trailhead, there were geysers and hot springs and all that happy stuff. The one that caught my eye was the Sapphire Pool. Coming to a fork in the road, there was a path to the Mystic Falls 1.7 miles to the right, and 0.7 miles to the left. Going to the right, it was 0.7 mile hike to a scenic overlook. Stopping every 25 yards to catch my breath, I constantly questioned myself why I was doing this. The mountain is steep, the path is narrow and how will I ever get back down. The scenic overlook was good, but the falls were still a mile away. The people going the other way said it was steeper. Yep. Going back the way we came. The hike down was much quicker, but in a way much scarier. Part of the path were sandy, I slipped a couple of times and swore like it would save my life or something. Got back to the fork and hiked the other 0.7 miles to the falls. Very much worth it. As agonizing as it was doing that hike, at the end of the day, I’m glad I did it.
Got to Old Faithful just in time to see it erupt. It was pretty cool. There were an incredible amount of people there, especially for something that happens every 90 minutes, give or take. It made me wonder why Yellowstone doesn’t blow up entirely. There are hot springs and geysers everywhere.
I was told that I had to walk into Old Faithful Inn, just to see the lobby. It was the oldest building in the park and it was beautiful. Indeed it was. It was all wood. I had noticed a fire hydrant and multiple pumps outside the building. That no longer seemed odd. Next was dinner. Walked across the street and had the best tasting driest broiled chicken sandwich I’d ever eaten. Everything tastes good after a good hike.
Speaking of hikes… Fairy Falls was next. It was about a 5 mile hike. It was easy though, no elevation gain. The trail was beautiful and the waterfall was breathtaking. I daresay it was the perfect waterfall. Noticing a raspberry bush, I got a little freaked out about bears. I soaked up the waterfall and moved on.
I really wanted to see Grand Prismatic Spring before the sun set. I made it just in time. Walking on the walkway to it, I felt like I had just gotten out of the shower, but not in the clean sense. I would feel a gust of hot humid air and then a cool breeze would blow. Just like getting out a hot shower and opening the door to the bathroom. Since the spring was constantly letting off steam, I couldn’t actually see it. But every now and then I would get a glimpse of the colors. I tried catching it then for a picture, but I figured the aerial pictures on line would have to suffice.
Got in the car, snuck into a nearby hotel to use the bathroom, brush my teeth and recharge my computer so I could write about the day in the tent. This handwriting stuff is not as convenient. I wish I could sneak into a shower too. The dusty hikes have made my feet dirty, even my legs. It reminds me of John’s black foot during our fubar trips. I feel like calling him up and setting up some kind of challenge. “Black foot? It has NOTHING on my black leg!” Oh the stuff I come up with when I’m tired. Tomorrow… Grand Tetons. Get your mind out of the gutter. ;)
07/30/11
Challenge accepted! :)
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