Across America Day 6- Yellowstone

Our next stop on our trip across America was Yellowstone.  Neither Kevin or I had really been and seen all the things that tourists go see.  I find geothermal activity quite fascinating, and Kevin had been DYING to see buffalo roaming through the bread basket of America, so this was to be a wonderful day. We were well rested from our stay in a seedy motel in Cody Wyoming, but it had a bed and a shower and made this pregnant lady so much happier.  

 On our way into town, the Eagle scout spotted a giant moose just chilling in a field. 

 Our first geyser, the Dragon's cave.  It smelled like dragon breath too, but it made loud noises and made a ton of  steam.  I think any time I saw the ground steaming for the first like 2 hours, I got super giddy, until all the sulphur started  giving me a headache. 

 One of the Gem's of Yellowstone is their Grand Canyon.  It was pretty impressive.  We stopped for a family photo. 

 A nice little shot of Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon

 I felt better so I was willing to hike.  Kevin told me we were going to go to the bottom of the falls seen in the above pictures.  I wasn't so sure, but we hike the 320 odd steps down to the bottom and Voila! There is the view.  Was it worth it? It wasn't as bad as I thought it;d be. On our way down, people were parked along the side of the stairs gasping for air and looking like they would die in moments, but I guess long legs help a bit there. 

 You can see some of the steps.  On the way down, some lady looked at me and said "oh you're pregnant! You are going to have a healthy baby."  I think pregnancy has made me overly sensitive. I looked over at Kevin and asked him what she meant by that?  If she is saying I am fat, I will push her off this mountain.  I chose to believe it was because I was doing something active, but she still better hope we never see eachother in a dark alley.  

 While we were there, it was HOT and DRY.  We saw a couple fires, and so the smells of sulphur and smoke encircled us all day. They seemed to keep the flames under control for the most part, and luckily it didn't stop us from seeing what we wanted to see. 

 Kevin's dreams came true.  He got to see his buffallo.  We actuall saw a mini heard of them, but this was his favorite.  He is expelling some liquid waste, and of course we had to go and interrupt him for a picture.  And I know you are concerned, but don't worry, Kevin got his bison burger later too.  He was a happy boy. 

 I thought the colors of the springs were incredible.  They say the different colors are caused by bacteria.  I don't usually like bacteria, but they do make for pretty pictures, bad smells, but lovely to look at. 

 Another picture of one of the springs.  They were so clear too. 

 As we pulled up, we got our first spotting of an active geyser.  I didn't keep my cool very well and this pregnant woman rushed off to make sure she got to see it spray.  I know most of them only go off at random, and I was not about to miss it.  Kevin still makes fun of me for my nimbleness.  I guess I deserve it for all the rock-loving teasing I give him. 

 Just a bunch of shots of the springs and the crazy bacteria-algae surrounding themt. 

 This is the largest geyser. they said when it is active it shoots out 4000 gal/second. 

 Grand Prismatic Spring

 What would a trip to Yellowstone be without seeing Old Faithful. Apparently the geyser gets its name from being so accurate when it will go off, You know within about a 20 min window of when Ol' Faithful will blow.  And she did.  

The fetus and me. 

 Kevin wanted to make me a widow.  He walked out on the ledge over the canyon and wanted a bunch of pictures.  Apparently he doesnt want to meet his spawn . Good thing he lived. I kinda like him. 

 These were some groovy little mud geysers.  They just bubbled.  It was pretty interesting. 

I have about a thousand pictures like this.  Kevin LOVED the wavy ridges outside the springs.