As per the Internet:
Yellowstone is 3,472 square miles. The world's most extensive area
of
geyser activity is located here, harbouring more than 10,000 thermal
features. This thermal
theatre actually came about as the result of
an enormous volcanic eruption some 600,000
years ago. Heat from the
enormous reservoir of molten rock, which produced the massive
eruption
still remains relatively close to the surface beneath Yellowstone,
sustaining the
spectacular hot water and steam phenomena for which the
park is so justly famous.
We spent three
glorious days in
Yellowstone.
Each day brought with it new spectacular sights and
experience.
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Entering Yellowstone we
came across a herd of buffalo crossing the road
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During the trip we saw elk
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... And I met his friendly
bear!
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Geysers and a river
along Fire Hole Lake Drive
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Sights at the Fountain Pot
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Trees
bearing the scars of the devastating fire from a couple of years
ago
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The Mammoth Hot
Springs
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Gibson Falls |
Golden Gate Canyon |
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Yellowstone Lake is
America's largest mountain lake at such an altitude (7,733
feet). +- 20 miles long and 14 miles wide with a
shoreline in excess of 100 miles
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The Midway Geyser was
spectacular. There was a very strong wind blowing. One
moment it would be cold, the next you would be enveloped by a
cloud of hot steam.
I wanted to capture the intensity of
the cloud of steam for Robert and waited patiently till it was thick
and heavy around me. I then took the picture on the
left. As the cloud of steam lifted, a tourist walked
past, commenting that the picture would be spoiled by all the
steam. If only she knew that I got exactly what I was hoping
for! |
The following information off the Internet:
Undoubtedly the world's most publicized geyser
(although it is neither the
largest, highest, nor most regular one in Yellowstone), Old Faithful
is
aptly named. Since it was discovered in 1870, it has been remarkably
consistent. Unlike
most thermal features in the park, its heights,
intervals and length of play have changed very
little in 100 years.
Old Faithful does not erupt every hour on the hour, however, it does erupt
21 to 23 times every day. The column normally reaches maximum height
-- which averages
130 feet but has gone as high as 184 -- in 15-20
seconds. After about 20 more seconds, the
water column lowers
rapidly. The eruption ends with a few puffs of steam. On the
average,
about 5,000-8,000 gallons of water are discharged.
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Waiting, waiting, waiting ... and there it
started. As I waited for the exact moment to capture the
big eruption, my camera ran out of memory! We had forgotten to
clear the memory card! Therefore...on the right is a postcard
of the spectacular geyser
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In South Africa, we pronounce the word
"geyser" as "geezer". Yes, you can only imagine how much we
laughed at the
"old geezers at the
geysers"!!
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We had lunch at the Old Faithful
Inn. On the right is a postcard with the following
information: 500 tons of hand-quarried lava block form this 89
foot chimney, which is 14 sq feet at its base. This amazing
structure hosts 8 fireplaces. The clock on the chimney's north
face stands 14 feet high
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The next morning started off being
very cold...to me at least! I jokingly asked Linda whether
she
thought it might snow. Little did we know what was waiting for
us later that morning!!
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Here we are at
the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
It was getting colder and colder
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... And as we arrived at the next Visitor's
Centre, the skies opened up and glorious, wonderful snow fell to the
ground. My first experience of snow! While everybody was
rushing inside, I was outside enjoying it!
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Leaving Yellowstone, I looked back and
saw mountains covered with snow. I was hoping for more
along the way, but it was not to be. I may not have seen much
of the wildlife, but the snow was the greatest sight I could have
ever wished for!
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