![\"\"](\"https:\/\/awanderingjill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/DSC04730.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIt feels odd that the pine trees are small here. \u00a0I don’t know if that’s the elevation or if all this was destroyed in ‘recent’ history.<\/p>\n
…and of course the hike goes up. \u00a0Well, up we go. \u00a0Might be a good view somewhere up there.<\/p>\n Pretty good view. \u00a0Looks like the Old Faithful visitor center is in view.<\/p>\n More up and up. \u00a0We haven’t seen anyone else on this trail yet, which is nice.<\/p>\n Oh yeah, a good view of the visitor center…I wonder if we can see Old Faithful go from here.<\/p>\n Eyup. \u00a0Thar she blows.<\/p>\n The boardwalk where we began this hike. \u00a0We reached a nice little cliff area that definitely had some good views.<\/p>\n Very pretty. \u00a0And we’re probably the highest point in this part of the park.<\/p>\n Of course, we make a friend. \u00a0Or at least he attempts to…we’re not giving you any of our snacks.<\/p>\n More hiking. \u00a0It actually feels good to be hiking again. \u00a0There’s a waterfall back here that we were told is pretty.<\/p>\n I’d say they were right. \u00a0Mystic Falls.<\/p>\n Alright, enough waterfall. \u00a0Time to head back to the boardwalk.<\/p>\n Not a pretty spring at all. \u00a0Definitely part of the Bog of Eternal Stench.<\/p>\n Time to move on. \u00a0I’m looking forward to seeing the next basin on the way – it’s where one of the most famous springs in Yellowstone is located.<\/p>\n The entrance to the Midway Geyser Basin. \u00a0A warmish river that surrounds a smoking heap of land.<\/p>\n An example of the warning signs they have everywhere. \u00a0They make it pretty clear that stepping off the boardwalk could result in death.<\/p>\n I’m so excited to see the Grand Prismatic!<\/p>\n Water from the geysers rolls of this hill and directly into the river. \u00a0Lots of bacteria that live year-round because of the temperature of the water.<\/p>\n I just love the color contrast.<\/p>\n Moving along the boardwalk…we are thankfully here between tour bus loads.<\/p>\n So much steam! \u00a0It is a little chilly right now, but not terrible.<\/p>\n And then the wind shifts and gives us a view of the area.<\/p>\n Apparently this looked very different 30 years ago. \u00a0It used to be an actual geyser then exploded so hard it blew itself into a crater. \u00a0That’s pretty damn awesome. \u00a0The last line on this sign is a big ominous too and I love that we’re standing on top of a potentially violent piece of land without a care in the world.<\/p>\n The other side of Excelsior.<\/p>\n More bacterial mats! \u00a0I don’t know why I think these are so cool, but I do! \u00a0This isn’t just a few feet of it either – this is in the center of a large boardwalk.<\/p>\n YES! \u00a0The big one!<\/p>\n …except this isn’t a good spot to view it. \u00a0We’re too close and the steam is not cooperating. \u00a0And, sadly for us, the actual vantage point, which would normally take you on a hillside overlooking it, is closed for construction. \u00a0Pretty disappointing.<\/p>\n The colors are pretty though.<\/p>\n You can kind of see the rings of colors. \u00a0We tried our best to get photos of the spring itself but the steam and lighting just wasn’t cooperating. \u00a0And we’re tired and getting jostled by people walking by. \u00a0It’s a single boardwalk loop and about 3-4 people wide at the max.<\/p>\n Despite the initial disappointment, it’s still really pretty to see. \u00a0Definitely need to come back when they finish the overlook.<\/p>\n A mini-prismatic spring. \u00a0Not nearly as dramatic, but kinda cool.<\/p>\n Despite all the warning signs…This lady was ignoring EVERYONE telling her to get back on the boardwalk. \u00a0Purposely ignoring them. \u00a0Until JA tapped her on the shoulder. \u00a0One of the reasons I love him – he’s direct, no nonsense, and hates it when people insist on damaging natural areas.<\/p>\n Suprise?<\/p>\n It’s black…which is a bit of a surprise. \u00a0Not sure why – there are no info signs around here to explain this. \u00a0Maybe because it’s deep?<\/p>\n And boiling.<\/p>\n More driving. \u00a0We’ve seen two of the most famous parts of Yellowstone and the day is mostly over, but we’ve only driven around half of the loop.<\/p>\n Lower Geyser Basin. \u00a0A short distance from Midway. \u00a0This is the Great Fountain Geyser. \u00a0It’s a giant wet spring area surrounded by natural growth, kind off in its own little area. \u00a0Apparently it erupts as well, but we’re not going to wait around to watch it. \u00a0We don’t have enough time to sit here – it apparently goes around sunset. \u00a0Still, it’s neat. \u00a0And there are almost no other people around.<\/p>\n Another one to come back and see on a second trip.<\/p>\n White Dome Geyser. \u00a0Another geyser that erupts. \u00a0It’s pretty cool that this one has built itself up. \u00a0It’s pretty tall – definitely over 10 feet high.<\/p>\n There was a family in a car that was on the same loop as us. \u00a0They stuck around to watch this one erupt and caught up with us at the next stop. \u00a0They said it was pretty high and worth watching. \u00a0Oh well.<\/p>\n Back to Yellowstone Day 1 Part 1<\/a>\u00a0::: On to Yellowstone Day 1 Part 3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" August 10th, 2016 Right off the boardwalk, there appears to be a hike! \u00a0So of course we follow it. It feels odd that the pine trees are small here. \u00a0I don’t know if that’s the elevation or if all this was destroyed in ‘recent’ history. …and of course the hike goes up. \u00a0Well, up we go. \u00a0Might be a good view somewhere up there. Pretty good view. \u00a0Looks like the Old Faithful visitor center is in view. More up and…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n