Trek Out West - Yellowstone

We are up to Thusday in our trip now. We stayed at the Old Faithful Inn last night and spent the morning exploring the springs and geysers in the area and there are a lot of them. It was a nice walk along a boardwalk and a good chance for Kaitlyn to take a nap. We even timed it right to see Riverside geyser erupt and it was more impressive than Old Faithful. When we got done it was time to check out of the hotel and move towards our next hotel for the night, Canyon Lodge. We made a few stops along the way including the Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring which both had beautiful colors. We also saw the Fountain Paint Pots which looks like thick bubbling paint. We stopped for another picnic lunch and a few other overlooks and were at our destination for the night. After eating dinner we went to check out some of the sights of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The name was a little misleading. It is indeed a canyon but is no comparison to the Grand Canyon. Still a pretty sight though. On Friday morning, we headed down to see a few other overlooks of the canyon, the Mud Volcanoes, and Yellowstone Lake. We then had to backtrack to make our way toward Mammoth Hot Springs, our next stop. Along the way we saw Obsidian Cliff that have rock that looks like black glass. We checked into the hotel and explored that area where the military barracks used to be. On our way to eat, we saw a couple elk grazing across the street. It was an early night tonight since we were all exhausted. Unfortunately, we were directly next to the elevator on the 1st floor and heard everyone coming and going. This includes a family with one kid singing some nature song in the loudest voice possible and his sister babbling away. At least Kaitlyn slept through it. We were staying at the same hotel the next night and immediately asked for a room change!! Geysers & Springs: ---------------------------------Bacteria thriving in the hot water:

Castle Geyser steaming up to the moon:

Kaitlyn sleeping: --------------------She found her pockets today:

Riverside Geyser erupting:

Morning Glory Spring: -------------------------The family in front of Castle Geyser:

Mr. Buffalo up close

Midway Geyser: ---------------------------Grand Prismatic Springs (see the color in the steam)

Fountain Paint Pot: ---------------------------------Playing with the river water:

Elk (I think):

Kaitlyn did a lot of elmo and barney watching: ----Checking out the view:

Views of the canyon:

It's always funny to put something up your nose:

The buffalo are everywhere: ---------------------Bear and her cubs

Kaitlyn riding in her backpack: -----------Relaxing:

Mud Volcano and Dragon's Mouth:

Waterfall and it's rainbow:

Obsidian Rock: -------------------Elk grazing