Day 4 - Western Yellowstone and Jackson Hole Rodeo
Day 4 was a shorter day in the National Park. We visited the west side of Yellowstone up to Norris Geyser Basin and then down to Midway Geyser Basin.
The scenery on the west side of the park mainly consisted of geothermal activity and large amounts of pine covered forest. I must say, I did like the scenic variety of Day 3's Yellowstone drive better. However, the geysers were waaaaay better in this western region.
Norris Geyser basin did not disappoint with the Steamboat Geyser which most people don't realize is the highest spouting geyser in the park at over 300 feet! It just isn't as predictable as Old Faithful and thus not as popular. We were fortunate though! Steamboat had erupted the night before our visit and was still in the residual eruption phase (according to the informative park ranger) and was still quite impressive!
 |
| Steamboat Geyser |
 |
| Steamboat Geyser |
 |
| Steamboat Geyser |
Other Norris Geyser basin favorites were Porcelain Basin and the steam fumarole! The color was spectacular in the Porcelain Basin! I've learned that the reason there is so much steamy, bubbling activity is because there is a lack of water in the ground to sufficiently cool the ground so what water is there becomes steamy and either vents through numerous fumaroles or bubbles to the top. #alwaysinteachermode
 |
| Porcelain Basin |
 |
| Fumarole |
I was super excited about out next stop - the Grand Prismatic Spring. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was the number one spot on my must see list. The Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin was number two! Wow!!! Just WOW!
The naturally occurring colors which are due to the mixture of gases and microorganisms are pure art!! We avoided the boardwalks and took a short steep hike for a more aerial view. Sooooo gorgeous!
 |
| I loved how the steam reflected the colors. |
We ended our National Park visit for the day there and headed back to Jackson Hole because we had tickets to the Jackson Hole rodeo! I mean, a Wyoming visit isn't complete without a rodeo!!! Right?!? And this was a photography first for me! Lots of fun all the way around.
The rodeo was super fun! Patterson favorites were the bucking bull riders, both adult and yes, Pee Wee bull riders!
 |
| These Pee Wee riders ranged in age from about 4 or 5 to 8 years old. |
And also, the barrel races were a Patterson Party of 5 pleaser.
 |
| Bronc riders were great too! |
We ended the evening with a stroll through downtown Jackson Hole - a super cute town worthy of another visit. We had to take an obligatory family selfie at the iconic Jackson Hole elk antler arch which we learned is a Boy Scout fundraiser. The Boy Scouts collect them and auction them off every year. So, in reality, no elk were harmed in the making of the Jackson Hole arches because the elk naturally shed their horns! You gotta read the signs people! So much to learn. :-)
Day 5 is our last day in Wyoming... tear. But hey, look our Montana, here come the Patterson's!
No comments:
Post a Comment