Larry A. Smail's Blog

Old Faithful

If one mentions Yellowstone Park and most people will think of “Old Faithful” Geyser. And no wonder for many. many years this famous geyser has faithfully displayed the show to thousands. The hot water eruption occurs approximately every 80-90 minutes currently. We finally were able to witness this interesting display! The water shots from around 135 feet to 180 feet in height. Approximately 3,200 to 8,400 gallons of hot water is shot into the air each time it erupts.                                                            

Old Faithful was discovered in 1870, but I am sure the Indians of the area had known of the display many years prior to this.

The fact is there are over 300 geysers in Yellowstone. We saw a few others too.

           The variances in geysers is interesting as well. Fountain geysers erupt from broad pools. Cone geysers burst through narrow rock vents. however, Old faithful is the most recognized of them all.                                           

Another unique feature of this area are the hot springs. These continually yield water flowing to their surface and leaching out and about. Steam is usually present  too. The water temperatures vary from around 150 to 170 degrees.  These may produce very deep pools of beautiful green to blue colors. Colors vary due to temperature and the bacteria growth within.

Mammoth Hot Springs

  Mammoth Hot Springs is one of more viewed of these hot springs. They are created by hydrothermal waters flowing through and interacting with rock and limestone deposits. These dissolve into calcium carbonate. The water flows from out and the deposits settle and grow. The Mammoth Hot Springs is very high with deposits and growing. The park has board walks throughout to walk and wonder.

Other sites are known as “mud pots.” These plop and make gargling sounds. hydrogen sulfide is converted to sulfuric acid which break down the rock and clay into mud. The mud is of a consistency of a milkshake. The smell of “rotten eggs” is noticeable here.                             

Read Full Post »

  The breakfast was completed and the tour north began in earnest. We would soon be witnessing the beauty of the Grand Teton Mountain range! We left the famous Jackson Hole area of western Wyoming.                                   

Jackson, also, known as Jackson Hole  is a tourist community. Everything one sees in geared towards the tourism economy. Those high forested hills that surround the town are stunning too. Looking backwards from where we stayed we could see ski lifts.  Winter is big in this area too!                                                                    

Laurie and I watched as two hand gliders leapt from the top to begin floating about the sky. The evening before we watched a cowboy shoot out.

We were thrilled once the sight of the Grand Tetons was visible! We were in unbelief upon viewing the spectacular mountains. We found taking our eyes off of them to be difficult. Photos just can not show the grandeur of such things of nature! The only negative thing, I can think of,  was the fact of a slight haze due to distant forest fires. Many fires were west of us in nearby Idaho. The haze reminded me of a humid condition here in good old Pennsylvania.                                                         

The 310,00 acre national park was established in 1929. (I was just a boy then.) The park’s size was increased in 1950. The highest elevation is of the Grand Teton mountain at 13,770 feet. Snow from last winter, and spring, was still visible at certain places amid the rocky outcrops.                               

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Other named peaks include: Mount Moran at 12,605 feet; Mount Owen at 12, 928 and South Teton at 12, 514 feet. People do climb the mountains and injuries are common, as well as, some deaths. Trails exist on and around the peaks too.

Raven (note large beak)

The clear waters of the Snake River flow through the lands. Several lakes are present too. We saw Jackson Lake and Jenny lake. (More on the Snake River under a separate entry.)

Many species of wildlife are present in the Grand Teton area. We saw a lot of wildlife while touring and floating the Snake River.

Aspens

Bison!

We saw a number of bison (buffalo) in open areas. Someone shouted “BEAR” and we turned to get a brief glimpse of a young grizzly bear! Ravens were common. I was tolerated by one. I managed a few great shots of this raven. Other species in the area are elk and mule deer. I saw a Mountain Bluebird and, of course some pronghorn antelopes. I saw both of these species. Wolves are surviving here too. I would have loved to see some wolves!                                            

Bison will cause more injuries than any other species of wildlife here. It is no wonder! I saw some people try to get very close. These people would NOT have been able to escape if these big mammals decided to charge. State law forbids anyone from getting closer than 25 yards. We were told of one lady who was told to get back from bison because of the potential danger. She became angered exclaiming how dare they allow dangerous animals in the park….. DUH!! These are wild animals not a zoo! Other interesting sites included a small log church known as the Chapel of the Transfiguration. (In fact a wedding was occurring at this church.)  We visited a small rural old-fashioned store. I bought some huckleberry honey! We saw remnants of an old ferry known as Menor’s Ferry.     

Much of this area close down by mid-November due to snow. the snow may be present into May and even early June.

Read Full Post »