Soaking, biking and geyser gawking

On Sunday we drove down to Yellowstone for what Anders would call a “big day”.

We started out with a soak in the Boiling River.

A half-mile trail leads to a six-foot wide stream of hot water pouring over a travertine ledge into the Gardner River. Users have piled rocks to create a soaking area where the 140-degree water mixes with the cold river.

We found a pool where the cold river water and Boiling River mixed perfectly and spent an hour or so soaking and enjoying the view.

Pronghorn near the park entrance

Hiking to the boiling river.

The Boiling River, actually the Gardner River.

The hot spring emerges from beneath the travertine rock. Henry and Finn walk above.

Entering the river

On the left side of the river the hot spring water pours over the edge. Soakers sit beneath.

After the soak we headed to Lone Star Geyser for a bike ride. We had a picnic at the trailhead near Kepler Cascades before hopping on the bikes for the 2.4-mile ride to Lone Star Geyser.

Lone Star Geyser is such named because it is far from other geysers, not because of any relation to Texas. The nearest large geyser (Old Faithful) is 3 air miles away.

Kepler Cascades near the trailhead for Lone Star Geyser.

A little too much sunscreen.

Lone Star Geyser erupts every 3-4 hours, so we felt lucky to find it mid-eruption when we arrived.

Lone Star Geyser

closer

with arty sticks

After the eruption Henry and Anders walked down to the Firehole River and caught frogs. I didn’t see it, but apparently Anders freaked out a little bit when he saw a frog in is dad’s hand. He has enjoyed talking about seeing a frog, though.

H and Finn riding back to the trailhead along the Firehole River

Anders and I crossing the Firehole

The gouge taken out of my poor baby’s forehead by a mosquito.

You know I have to take some wildflower shots. Here is Wyoming’s state flower, the paintbrush.

Staying away from the truck so H could load the bikes and trailer without anyone getting underfoot. (I can be a pain that way.)

White geranium.

Before leaving for home we took a quick peek at Old Faithful.

Watching Old Faithful. Might as well.

Anders is awed by the world’s most famous geyser.

The Golden Gate…of Yellowstone.