1 Oct
Although we pretty thoroughly toured Yellowstone National Park when we were here in 2017, it seemed only appropriate to cruise in the west entrance our last day here and at least have a look at "Old Faithful". In 2017 it was not so much "unfaithful" but it had become a bit "unreliable" as to when it would erupt. But they apparently gave the old girl a bit of Geritol since we were here last, and she is a little more "regular" now!
I don't know how we did it, but we literally walked right up to Old Faithful and it erupted! "The famous geyser currently erupts around 20 times a day and can be predicted with a 90 percent confidence rate within a 10 minute variation."
We got to Old Faithful right at 12:57, the sign said 12:57 and there she blows!! We could not have timed that better had we tried! The next eruption after this was scheduled for 2:07 so we would have had a bit of a wait. 
. The area around Old Faithful was packed with tourists, but we had no problem seeing the eruption and getting right up close. There is a wooden platform with benches if you are early enough to get one.
. The area around Old Faithful was packed with tourists, but we had no problem seeing the eruption and getting right up close. There is a wooden platform with benches if you are early enough to get one.
Some fun facts to know and tell:
- How many gallons of water are expelled during an eruption? Scientists estimate that the amount ranges from 3,700 gallons (for a short duration of 1.5 minutes) to 8,400 gallons (for a longer duration of 4.5 minutes).
- How hot is the water in Old Faithful? It’s hot. During an eruption, the water temperature at the vent has been measured at 204°F (95.6°C). The steam temperature has been measured above 350°F!
- How many gallons of water are expelled during an eruption? Scientists estimate that the amount ranges from 3,700 gallons (for a short duration of 1.5 minutes) to 8,400 gallons (for a longer duration of 4.5 minutes).
- How hot is the water in Old Faithful? It’s hot. During an eruption, the water temperature at the vent has been measured at 204°F (95.6°C). The steam temperature has been measured above 350°F!
The nearby visitor center was busy right after the eruption but we had a brief stop there before heading out. We did not visit the other areas this time. 
We passed the Junior Ranger tent. That would surely be of interest to our grandkids.
We headed back out towards the west entrance and the areas did not seem that crowded. We are wondering if the washed out roads maybe scared some folks off. A few more pictures:
We were not too far from the west entrance/exit when we rounded a corner and there it was, right next to the road!! As George Walker suggested, "A fluffy cow!!"
We departed the west entrance and stopped by the grocery store next to the pizza place we were at the other night. Doreen picked up a few items and then we refueled for our trip tomorrow. As we drove back to the campground, the plume of smoke from the forest fire got bigger. 
The firefighting aircraft flew over our campsite in route to reload water the entire afternoon. I cannot imaging the cost of this operation. Part way through the the day and two more aircraft joined the original two, so a four-ship operation. Amazing to watch!
Our reflection in the massive windows
We headed back out towards the west entrance and the areas did not seem that crowded. We are wondering if the washed out roads maybe scared some folks off. A few more pictures:
The west entrance
This video was so large I had to upload it to You Tube then post a link. It shows how the aircraft reload with water. Incredible!!
Tomorrow we head just 112 miles down the road and across the Teton Pass to Jackson WY. We are camping there 6 nights before moving on. This is the first time Doreen or I have seen the Grand Teton Mountains or Jackson Hole for that matter. We are looking forward to it!
Next report from the Fireside Resort just down the road from Teton Village,
No comments:
Post a Comment