Day 10 - Beautiful Yellowstone!
Having learned our lesson on park traffic, we were out the door by 7 to make our way to Old Faithful. It's about 40 miles to get there from the lodge. Within 5 minutes, our progress is stopped by 2 young elk crossing the road, followed shortly by a bear. Super cool.
We made it to the Old Faithful area with zero traffic, and pulled into the first row of the enormous parking lot. Go early. It's a bit cool, so we grab our sweatshirts and begin walking around the pathways that surround the geysers. They are just letting off steam, and we have about 50 minutes until Old Faithful is expected to put on its display.
While we heard from other people that the Daisy Geyser is especially cool, the 4+ mile walk (for our kids) and the long window you'd need to wait to ensure you see it erupt kept us closer to the visitor center.
Since we had some time to kill before Old Faithful's next display, we took the short hike through the mosquito infested woods to the lookout point.
We made it to the Old Faithful area with zero traffic, and pulled into the first row of the enormous parking lot. Go early. It's a bit cool, so we grab our sweatshirts and begin walking around the pathways that surround the geysers. They are just letting off steam, and we have about 50 minutes until Old Faithful is expected to put on its display.
While we heard from other people that the Daisy Geyser is especially cool, the 4+ mile walk (for our kids) and the long window you'd need to wait to ensure you see it erupt kept us closer to the visitor center.
 |
| The amazing colors of the different geothermal pools near Old Faithful |
Since we had some time to kill before Old Faithful's next display, we took the short hike through the mosquito infested woods to the lookout point.
 |
| Gorgeous views as we hike to the lookout point over the valley |
 |
| Owie at the lookout |
Mackay's favorite part of the hike was meeting the family of yellow-bellied marmots we met in the forest. They stand up on their hind legs like Meerkats, and make little chirping warnings to their clan when people come by on the trail. Super cute.
We sat for a few minutes on the back side of the geyser (away from the stadium theater seating - and crowds - by the visitor center) and waited patiently.
Old Faithful did not disappoint! Though it's sort of like fireworks. Everyone oohs and ahhs while it's happening and then when it's over, you just sort of look around and think 'Ok, well what should we do next?'
Since we hadn't eaten breakfast, we decided to head into the Old Faithful Inn to see what our options might be. Holy cow! What an incredible building!! It was built in 1903-04 (our waiter told us it was constructed during winter with 20-30 men, which may or may not be true). But the architecture is astounding. It's built entirely of logs and wood from local trees, and you really have to see it to believe it. Here's a photo, but it just doesn't capture the scale and detail.
After breakfast, we stuck around for the next Old Faithful eruption, and then headed back to our lodge.
We had lunch at the cafeteria, which was ok (nothing to write home about), and then decided to head over to check out the Yellowstone Lake Hotel. The Hotel is a bit of a mishmash of architecture, but is apparently the oldest lodging of any national park, built in the late 1800's.
The lobby/lounge area is beautiful, and we learned that in the evenings, you can check out games from the concierge and hang out while either a piano player or string quartet provide background music.
We played Monopoly (note, I didn't say finished a game of Monopoly), and enjoyed some fantastic gin-cucumber-champagne cocktails.
A great way to finish the day!
Escaping the mosquitos, we headed back to watch O.F.
We sat for a few minutes on the back side of the geyser (away from the stadium theater seating - and crowds - by the visitor center) and waited patiently.
 |
| Old Faithful (duh) |
Old Faithful did not disappoint! Though it's sort of like fireworks. Everyone oohs and ahhs while it's happening and then when it's over, you just sort of look around and think 'Ok, well what should we do next?'
Since we hadn't eaten breakfast, we decided to head into the Old Faithful Inn to see what our options might be. Holy cow! What an incredible building!! It was built in 1903-04 (our waiter told us it was constructed during winter with 20-30 men, which may or may not be true). But the architecture is astounding. It's built entirely of logs and wood from local trees, and you really have to see it to believe it. Here's a photo, but it just doesn't capture the scale and detail.
 |
| The astounding and beautiful Old Faithful Inn |
After breakfast, we stuck around for the next Old Faithful eruption, and then headed back to our lodge.
We had lunch at the cafeteria, which was ok (nothing to write home about), and then decided to head over to check out the Yellowstone Lake Hotel. The Hotel is a bit of a mishmash of architecture, but is apparently the oldest lodging of any national park, built in the late 1800's.
The lobby/lounge area is beautiful, and we learned that in the evenings, you can check out games from the concierge and hang out while either a piano player or string quartet provide background music.
We played Monopoly (note, I didn't say finished a game of Monopoly), and enjoyed some fantastic gin-cucumber-champagne cocktails.
A great way to finish the day!