Day 46

Date: Thursday August 20, 2015

Location at the beginning of the day: Grant Village Campground

Distance to drive: 70 miles (round trip)

Hours to drive: depends on how many times we stop (about 2)

Destination: Firehole Lake Drive, Firehole Canyon Drive, Lower Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin

Planned activities: check out the four different thermal features of Yellowstone National Park (fumaroles – holes in the ground that emit steam and sometimes noise, geysers – holes that emit steam and water, but not constantly, hot springs – pools that often appear to be boiling and mudpots – bubbling mud)

Quote of the day: “After we use the outdoor bathroom (outhouse) do I need to use some san-appetizer (hand sanitizer)”

Nature is truly amazing.  We saw all sorts of really beautiful and fascinating thermal features today that are caused by the lava under Yellowstone National Park.  By the end of the day we had seen over a dozen geysers, a few mudpots, a bunch of hot springs and countless fumaroles.  Neither girl liked the sulfur scent emitted from many of the thermal features, but enjoyed the warmth of the steam when the wind picked up.  We walked around the boardwalks at the different destinations and by the end of the day we were exhausted and geysered out.

I think my favourite would have to be the Red Spouter (unfortunately at this time of year you do not see the red).  It demonstrates all four thermal features at different  times in the year, dependent upon the amount of ground water present.  In the late summer, when there is not much ground water, it is a fumarole that whistles.  Although the most beautiful would have to be the Grand Prismatic Spring, with its array of colours caused by the different minerals and temperatures.

We headed back to the campground for dinner, a marshmallow roast and bed.  We need our energy for our adventures tomorrow.