Rain clouds began to build as we anxiously drove into the park. First stop, waterfall. None of us can pass up a good waterfall or an empty parking lot. Knowing we needed to get to Old Faithful before the crowds, we made a B line, or A line as Becca calls it. Why a B line anyway? B's aren't straight. According to Becca, A's are much straighter than B's. Anyway, I digress. Old Faithful. With the odds against us we found a front row parking spot and a front row seat for the show. Mom was certain it went off every 30 minutes. I thought every 20. (I haven't been since I was 10, but I was sure). Almost an hour later the storm closed in and cold rain began pelting us. We couldn't give up now. Cold, soaking and eager, we waited. Old Faithful came through and finally erupted. Its not as exciting as you want it to be, but still cool. Running for jackets in the rain, we decided the storm was moving out and that we would take the 1.5 mile loop walk through the pools. So amazing to think that all of that is going on beneath our feet. Thunder rumbled (pretty close) and lightning began to light up the sky. Sure we would be fine, even though there were no trees and we were basically on a flat barren mountain, we pushed on. After all, there were several people with METAL umbrellas. It would surely get them first.
Halfway through my husband asked me to stop. He looked at my head and said, " we need to get out of here now." Turns out my hair was standing straight up towards the sky. Too much electric charge like when you rub a balloon on your hair. I'm now the lightning monitor. We made it safely back and headed on our way through the park.
Several stops were made, all amazing in their own way. The highlights were the grand canyon of Yellowstone with upper falls rushing past, the mud volcanoes, the pools and springs bubbling like boiling water and of course the BISON. We complained all day about not seeing any wildlife. On our last stop we sure were treated to a bison surprise.
They were all gathering around a mud pool. A couple dozen at least with small babies and angry males showing their strength. A short walk promised more mud pools and a large spring. We were stopped dead in our tracks by two large bison ON the walking platform. About 10 feet ahead of us. Some guy tried to show how brave he was and pushed past us. As the bison looked at him and made its almost lion like call, we turned and went back the way we came. Bison wins in my book.
Headed back to the car, another Bison strolls through the parking lot, and then another. We were separated by a car. Those things are huge up that close. When we thought we might be at our car we jumped in. As we pulled onto the road, we were face to car with two more large bison. It was literally within 2 feet of the side of the car. YIKES! I'm not sure what you tell a rental car company when a 2000 lb bison crushes your car.
We are now the farthest east of our trip yet. The sandstone rock structures that line the highway after you leave Yellowstone are breath taking. The storms had passed but everything was grey and damp which made the towering rocks even more mesmerizing. Our last adventure was passing through a newly started forest fire. I think that's enough adventure for today.
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