Yellowstone National Park- Day #2



The Lower Falls and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone



Wednesday, August 1, 2012  Yellowstone National Park:  Lower Falls and Grand Canyon, Petrified Tree, Mammoth Springs and the Boiling River

 Today we were a little slower but still out of the house by 9:00am.  A small miracle truly :)  Our goal today was to drive around the Upper Loop at Yellowstone and started with the Lower Falls by the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  We took a .8 hike with a 600 foot elevation change down so that we could be right on the top of the Falls.  Beautiful and so powerful!  The hike was enjoyable and such gorgeous views.  The hike up was a bit more work but all did well, although Annika stopped to rest at every log, seat or rock.   We all made it up and enjoyed our picnic lunch with a good view of the falls from another angle.



After our climb up from the Falls.




The Lower Falls



We love seeing the falls and it is amazing to think of how God created all this landscape.  With the towering canyon walls to the rushing river with the crashing falls. 



Jonathan & the Lower Falls.



Just incredible!  Jonathan, Chris and Ben had fun taking some unique pictures with the Falls.  Not many of those around I bet! :)





The petrified tree



After the Falls, we continued down the road toward the Mammoth Springs.  There was a petrified tree that Jan had wanted to see but other did not.  The night before the decision of whether or not to stop to see the tree had nearly caused a riot.  People were jumping on the "Tree Train" in support of Jan but in the morning, the tree got cut from the schedule.  Now, we were at the end of the caravan, so Dave made a split- second decision and cut off from the group when we saw the sign saying it was ONLY 1/4 mile away.  We ran up, saw the tree (took pics of course) and caught up with the rest of the group.  Fortunately, for us they were only about a mile up the road.  A moose had been spotted so all were out getting pictures.  When hearing that we had been delinquents and went to see the tree, Jan insisted on seeing the tree.  One car went back quickly while the rest of us enjoyed the moose.  Whew- traveling in a group= not easy!!!



This is where the hot water runs over the
side and the different colors are created
by different minerals in the water.

Overlooking the top of the
Mammoth Springs

 When we were all reassembled, we continued onto the Mammoth Springs.  We hiked up most of the way to the top but then decided to drive the rest when a person said that the most incredible views were on the way up.  It is amazing to see the different colors and textures from the Hot Springs.  The springs looked very low right now but as we talked to a ranger later, he said that the water flow is the same, just the terrain that is changing with the springs coming out at different places.  I did not hear this story but supposedly, a ranger had been walking in an area thought to be safe from hot springs and fell through the ground. He had to be hospitalized for 7 months.  This is not something to play around with....soooo....we went to play IN at our next stop!



We were onto a place many had been waiting for, the Boiling River!  Dave had wanted to go in a Hot Spring and this was a place that had a river with hot springs running into it so the water was like a hot tub.  It was hard to imagine that water could actually be that hot coming out of the ground but let me tell you....IT WAS!    It was so very cool (not cool in temperature) and we had so much fun at this place!



Swimming in a hot tub



The Boiling River- All the water
spilling into the river is BOILING
HOT...trust me!



There was a river right next to the hot springs with a lot of rapids

in it and the kids loved surfing in the water until they were really cold....then they would hop into the warm water.

It was very relaxing and it still completely baffles me how the water can be so hot coming out of the ground.  We swam for about an hour and then we went out in search of food.


Cookin' in the Boiling River :)



We exited Yellowstone at the North entrance in Gardiner, which is the only entrance open in the winter.  What a fun day....and our animal count today moose, prong horn deer and some mountain goats. 









Jonathan and his buffalo



We stopped in Gardiner to get some supper.  After 2 no-gos, we ate at a little cafe and had a SUPER supper.  Jonathan had a double buffalo burger and polished it off in no time (Dave, on the other hand was not able to finish his).  We had a fun time talking and hanging out in this little town.  We had over a 2 hour drive back to Sky Haus and arrived home around 12:30am.  What a LONG day but such a good one!  Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. 

It has been a blessing to see so many amazing creations with Dave's family!



Good-bye Yellowstone!