Grand Teton - Day 2 and 3

We had to go to Jackson Wyoming for a vet appointment.  Lila needed her blood checked and Flash was having an issue with his eye and skin.  Oh boy!  Jackson was a cute town but we didn't have much time to check it out.  We mostly did errands. We did have a chance to do some wildlife viewing on the way.

American White Pelican

White Pelican Landing

A lovely pair of White Pelican swimming on Snake River

Jackson Hole WY - have elk antler archways on each corner of town square. (Male elk shed their antlers in Fall and regrow in Spring)

Sunset at Oxbow Bend

Moon rising at Oxbow Bend

Friday it rained all afternoon. We weren't able to hike to Swan lake to see if we could fine Trumpeter Swans.  It was a well needed break (we didn't have to feel guilty for not doing anything).  We ended up getting pizza at Leek's Marina and took a couple pictures (thank god for the age of digital!).

Arriving at Leeks Marina to pick up pizza



Leaving Leeks Marina  -starting to see blue skies!

Rainbow!






Grand Teton - Day1

Steve spent the morning trying to confirm service for the RV's generator in Boise, ID.  We managed to get to Laurance S Rockefeller Preserve in the afternoon for a hike to Phelps Lake.   This area of Grand Teton was donated by Laurance Rockefeller prior to his death in 2004.  It had been a family retreat prior to his donation.   It was a great hike and the best pit toilet ever! 

Oxbow Bend (Snake River)- one of my favorite spots

Panoramic of Oxbow

Phelps Lake

Lake Creek
 

Phelps Lake

Grand Teton - Arrival

We traveled to Grand Teton from Yellowstone today.  During our journey Steve discovered that we lost the generator door somewhere in our travels (we are speculating it was lost while traveling thru road construction in MT).   Steve also discovered the generator was leaking gas.  A short but eventful trip!

We spent a considerable amount of time on the phone arranging for parts, service, etc. but managed to take a drive later in the afternoon to check out Grand Teton NP.

 

Lewis Falls (on the way out of Yellowstone's South Entrance)

Lewis River

View of Tetons coming into Grand Teton NP

View from Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake

Water so clear and pretty!

Wildfire in Grand Teton

 

Yellowstone - Last Day

Our last day we went back to the Old Faithful area to see the Grand Geyser! We waited for a couple of hours to see the eruption. We were told it was going to go early but it went on time (they have a 3 hour window of the next predicted eruption for Grand Geyser). It was worth it!

Panoramic of Lake Yellowstone

Dot Island on Lake Yellowstone



Great light to see clarity of the pool (not sure of name on this one)

Crested pool

Grand Geyser pool  before eruption

Beehive Geyser erupted while waiting for Grand Geyser

Grand Geyser Eruption - gives some idea of height based on trees on hill in background



Notice how full the pool/drain area is now compared to pre-eruption picture.  Pool drains under boardwalk towards Firehole River

FIRE on drive home - controlled not wild

Clear skies for a change!

Yellowstone was a great place but I think you have to visit numerous times because it is so large and overwhelming!

Yellowstone - Day 6 and 7

Saturday we drove to Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron area. After viewing those geological marvels we drove to West Thumb and got some cell service! We spent some time on the phone and checking email, etc. In the evening we drove down Gulf Point Road and through Hayden Valley. The light was still horrible for pictures!



Sulphur Cauldron Panoramic

Mud Volcano

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Mr Butterfly liked me

clearer views of Hayden Valley!

Sunset picture from Gulf Pt Rd

We hiked Elephant Back Trail on Sunday. It was a nice hike but we had no visibility from the lookout!  After the hike we did the fun stuff like laundry and cleaning and then took a drive to Virginia Cascades.

Not a very clear view from hike - can barely see lake and mountains - not even at overlook!

 

Yellowstone - Day5

Friday we went to the Norris Geyser Basin. We had to limit our time here because of a dinner reservation at Old Faithful Lodge. We hit a lot of traffic and several accidents. Dinner was great and then we headed to Midway Geyser Basin. Luckily we arrived at Midway Geyser Basin before the arrival of 3 tour buses!

Panoramic of Porcelain Basin

Crackling Lake

Emerald Spring - minus the smell!

Steamboat Geyser

Firehole Canyon

Old Faithful Lodge

After Midway Geyser Basin we drove down Firehole Lake Drive to see Great Fountain Geyser. There was a volunteer from GOSA (Geyser Observation and Study Association) who advised us she thought the Great Fountain Geyser would erupt in about 20 minutes (earlier than anticipated). We saw a spectacular eruption during sunset! It was the best experience of my Yellowstone visit. It was unplanned and magnificent!

Panoramic of Excelsior Geyser



Sun over Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring

Turquoise Pool (Firehole river in background)

Panoramic of Turquoise Pool

Pink Cone Geyser Erupted during our time at Great Fountain Geyser

Grand Fountain Panoramic (pre-eruption-bubbling in center)

Great Fountain Geyser pool

Pictures during Great Fountain Geyser eruption