Yellowstone (part 2)

We made a couple more stops to complete our first day in Yellowstone.  First up was Midway Geyser Basin, one of the most popular in the park.  

Excelsior Geyser Crater is first along the 1/2 mile fully accessable boardwalk.  Once again, I enjoyed the colorful runoff.

The boardwalk takes you right through the hot stream, making me sorry I had chosen to wear jeans.  I'm sure it's good for the skin, though.

Next up is the incrediably beautiful Grand Prismatic Spring.  At 200 feet across, it is the largest of Yellowstone's many colorful hot springs.

The water is 160 degrees so the stream makes it difficult to see.  I took a short video to show the size.

Years ago, Diana had found a little-used trail up the hill behind the spring which led to an aerial view. Unfortunately, the park has closed that trail to improve it, probably because of all the increased traffic from the people who read her blog.  I'm sure she'll post a picture from that hill.

The third of the trifecta is Turquoise Pool.  You can see how popular this basin is by all the people walking through the steam from Excelsior Geyser.

Once off the trail and at the parking lot, Ron had to test the temperature of the Firehole River.  He said it wasn't hot. 

We also took the Firehole Loop Drive.  I didn't realize until later that there is a trail there, but we stopped to admire this colorful area right along the road.  

Either I missed the sign or it wasn't labeled.

On our way out of the park, we ran into another bison jam.  We were excited because in addition to them being right along the road, the group included calves.

Can't you just imagine Mama Bison thinking, "Can't a lady get any privacy here?"