Yellowstone Day #2

We were a bit more prepared our second day in.

On our first stop, we checked out a place Mom had wanted to see called "Biscuit Basin."





This place was really thermally active!
There were a ton of hot pools and mini-geysers bubbling all over the place.

And while the wind was a little cool...




...we didn't mind too much.

Vince really got a kick out of the boarded walkways. Talk about a spoiled hiker!





As for Mom, I think she was still getting over the shock of finally making it there. She was very excited.







Amy didn't complain either. Even with the wind and the cold, she was a perfect little peach. Lis' and I were tickled pink.












Out of all of the basin's thermal features, I was most impressed by the Sapphire Pool. Even though it's only eighteen feet wide, it's over thirty feet deep! (And over 200 degrees....Yikes.)






Before we left the basin, I took this picture of Mom by the Firehole River. While I'm not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, I am particularly proud of this shot.






After Biscuit Basin, the crew and I took another shot at the Old Faithful area. We stopped at the Old Faithful Lodge for some really good (yet overpriced) cold cut sandwiches.






Then came the wait.
After our meal, we had about a 30-40 minute wait before the next eruption. Hoping to keep Kimosabe busy, I let him play with his camera.









Yeah, he took some nice shots.
(Which he soon after erased because the camera's memory was already choked full of pictures of his feet, the walls, the carpet, his hands and other indiscernible blurs. Ah, Autism.)








But the wait finally paid off and we were treated to one of North America's most beautiful natural wonders.












Want to hear the funny part?
Vince got a bigger kick out of the ruckus we made when the geyser went off!

What a cutie.
I think this picture says it all.



Souvenir shopping abounded after Old Faithful's spurt.
But Vince and I just kicked back outside and tested the rocking chairs.

And at $500 a pop, you too can own one of these lovely pieces of furniture!







OK. After the spree, we toured the world-famous Old Faithful Inn.
Completed in 1904, this building is one of the oldest structures in the park!






Wow, 104 years old and still looking good.
The vaulted ceiling inside the lobby was humongous.
And they even have an observation deck at the very top.
(Sadly, it was closed that day.)








I took this picture for a couple of reasons.
First, I wanted to show off the gigantic fireplace and chimney inside the lobby.
But secondly, I wanted to prove to all the worried parties back in CA that we did get Mom a wheelchair. See?








As a final treat, Grandma Porch treated everyone to a cold beer and some rest at the Bear Pit Tavern. Vince and Amy passed on the brewski in exchange for some ice cream instead!






So we come to the "Honorable Mention" portion of this post.
Amy was extremely well behaved the whole day. Her outcries were minimal and her mood was bright and warm, unlike the weather.
I'm so proud of my little cherry blossom!

With day 2 come and gone, the lot of us returned to West Yellowstone with a happy heart and a head full of wonderful memories.







Day #2 Videos:



Day #3 coming soon!

Yellowstone Day #1

You know, some people would be eager for some rest and maybe some food after a long road trip.







But not us.
As soon as we got to West Yellowstone, MT, we unpacked, washed the dust off and took a drive into the park!






I'm not too sure if you can make it out, but our welcoming committee turned out to be one of the park's more venerable residents, a bald eagle!






But the real locals out in force were these guys.
No foolin', there are always tons of buffalo out on the roads of Yellowstone.






And they've got the run of the place, too.
They had a knack for wandering out into the road and hanging out for a bit. This caused some pretty sick traffic jams!






Eventually, we decided to take a walk along the Fountain Paint Pot hiking trail. It was completely boardwalked for safety. But wow, was it cold!!!






The scenery however, was beautiful!
All over the trail, there were these wispy long plumes of steam that reminded me of "Excalibur."






They bubbled out of these piping hot geysers and pools that were superheated by the Earth's mantle.








The real treat of the trail were the fountain paint pots. These were perpetually boiling pools of mud that blorped and bubbled like some witch's brew. It was wild to see convection at work.






Sadly, Vince wasn't as big a geek about geothermics as I was. He was just cold. But even in the cold, he was a good sport. He didn't mind the walk too much. And I really believe he enjoyed feeling the steam on his face.





Mom was just as freaked out over the cold. I don't think she'd ever experienced anything like it.







The high-point of the trail was the geyser font at the far end.
Hoo-wee! It was windy!







After the hike, we drove around the Old Faithful area.
I always figured that we might see a celebrity!







Finally, it was time for some dinner and a good night's sleep.
On our way out, we were treated to a whole herd of bison.
Calves and everything.






We can't wait till tomorrow!
Be ready for more.






Now enjoy the videos!

The Trip to Yellowstone...

The trip to Yellowstone went by pretty quickly.

Part of this was due to Mike's zippy driving to be sure. But a lot of it was also playing with the kids, chatting with Mom and watching the beautiful scenery!



Sadly, I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked.
However, I did get a chance to snap some photos in Rexburg, ID.
The setting was a pretty little park across the river from a beautiful war memorial.
And boy, was it ever cold!

Isn't that nice? It was a little windy, but look at the view!







There was a quaint little porch swing overlooking the river. Mom and Vince were eager to take a break from the cramped van.








Cheryl and Mike took in the tank monument right by the bridge.
Ain't it cool?






It was also cool to see how different the fauna was compared to SLC.

Mom got such a kick out of this bird that I had to take a picture of it.








Pfft! What a bench hog!










Yeah, Rexsburg was a great little pit stop.







But pretty soon, it was back to the long road and what lied beyond...









Next stop, West Yellowstone!

Along Came Abuelita...

Oh happy day!
Abuelita's coming to town from L.A.

Amy knew something was up. We spent the morning tidying up and getting to Grandma Porch's house for the big day.




By the time I left for the airport, she was certain she was in for a big surprise!














I just don't think she was ready for it.
When she finally saw Abuelita again, she was a little reserved at first. That look says it all, no?






Vince didn't have a problem getting reacquainted with Mom.
She had plenty of hugs n' kisses for her.







Well, if she was good enough for Big Brother, she was good enough for her. Eventually, Amy started warming up.







Now look at them!
Thick as thieves and getting along wonderfully.







Enjoy the videos!