After that it was off to Fountain Paint pots to see some of the thermal features there. The sky looked like it might rain as you can see in some of the pictures from that area.
Then it was off to the Old Faithful area. The picture here is of old and faithful. You decide which is which.
We set with all the other hundreds of people to watch it erupt. You always know when it is close because all the crowds gather. The pictures below show the sequence of it going off.
After Old Faithful we decided to have dinner at a picnic spot. At the same time a storm came in but the trees offered protection. After dinner we made our way back to Old Faithful and noticed these odd clouds at the rear of the storm. It was around 8 when we passed Old Faithful again. At this time of the evening there were not a lot of people around.
We then walked over to Grand geyser. It and a few others were all scheduled to go off near the same time. We had never seen Grand before so we choose to sit and wait between the 180 minute window they noticed for its eruption. We passed Castle geyser which was not doing much.
We passed hot springs with all their varied colors.
We came to the river bridge and looked out over all the clouds of steam created by the hot spots of this area.
Not much was happening as we sat and waited with other people though Daisy and Riverside geysers were going off during our wait.
Then after about 40 minutes of waiting with no warning it went off. We were located in a spot that all the water started falling on us but before we moved we had to take a picture.
Once we moved to the other side we noticed that there were actually three different things going off at the same time.
We thought it ended and then it started up again.
Finally the 13 minute show was over. We took the long way back and saw a few other smaller geysers going off.
The next morning we were on the move. We packed up the trailer and then went back into Yellowstone. This time we went north of Madison. We stopped at Gibbon Falls.
We then came across a herd of buffalo. There were young ones that were running all over the place and some big bulls that were snorting and huffing.
We then went to Artist Paint Pots.
After looking at the mud pots we then saw an elk.
We stopped at Norris for lunch and to walk around and then it was east to Canyon to see the lower falls. What a beautiful sight. I never get tired of how dramatic it is.
From there we headed to Jackson and the Hoback River for our next camp and to meet Nic and Shannon who would be arriving that night. When they did arrive we had dinner together though the potatoes were a failure in more ways than one. Usually I stay up and look at the night sky to see a shooting star and a satellite. This time everyone stayed up, even Payton and Connor. It was a great evening because there was no moon and the sky was brilliant with stars. We say a few shooting stars and a lot of satellites. It was a wonderful evening. Next morning it was off to the Tetons. On the way we saw some young mountain sheep.
We then made it to Jenny Lake and took the boat across the lake to go hiking.
The clouds were low over the mountains so we never really saw them completely. The stream was flowing fast and high and made for some wonderful scenes. Even when you take a picture of someone taking a picture.
We then hiked to Hidden Falls which was roaring and sending mist into the air .
We started up to Inspiration Point and got to the halfway point. We took some pictures and then noticed the clouds getting darker in the canyon and felt we better head back to the boat.
We did not make it though and the rain and lighting started. This stopped any boat crossing and we waited in the rain getting wetter and wetter. We finally decided to do the two mile hike back to the parking area rather then stand and wait. The path was turning into small streams and mud holes. We had not even made it half way and the boats started to cross the lake again and we were still hiking in the rain. The rain stopped and while the sights were pretty it would have been more enjoyable to be on the boat.
It was late afternoon and we headed to the Bar J. At the Wilson turn-off we saw a moose in the field. We then made it to the Bar J and got the closest seats we have ever had A-2. The kids rode on a wagon ride and we played games and then watched an enjoyable show. We love this routine.
Next day we had breakfast in between the showers. We then packed up and went into Jackson.
After walking around town we then went separate ways. Maddie and Skylar went home and we went on into Yellowstone with Shannon and Nic in the off and on rain. We stopped at Lewis Falls for some pictures.
It was then off to Old Faithful for the grandkids to see the geysers.
After Old Faithful we walked around the basin but we missed any other geysers going off. We did see a buffalo though.
We then decided to find a camp ground rather than try to eat with a storm coming. On the way we saw a deer and then I saw a bear but no one else did because it ran off. We drove outside of West Yellowstone and found a campground called Rainbow Point. On the way there was on and off rain storms. As we were getting close to the campground in the rear view mirror was the largest rainbow I had ever seen. It lined up perfectly with the road.
The next day we went into the park again and visited the Artist Paint Pots.
We went to have lunch but a large storm rumbled in and we sat in our cars for a while. After the storm passed this lunch spot was flooded so we went to another called Sheepeaters Cliffs. Here the sun came out and Connor and Payton climbed the rock formations and Connor was even joined by a Marmot.
After our picnic lunch Cindy and I headed home while Nic and Shannon spent another day. On the way out of the park we saw another elk.
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