Yellowstone! (Day 2)

On July 3rd we woke up super early and headed towards Yellowstone. About 1 mile from where we were camping we ran into this little fellow.

Old Faithful

Next we were off to see old faithful. (or old thankful as Cali and Carter say)

Waiting for old faithful to do her thing

Tyler and old thankful in the background

We loved seeing these weird colors. Yellowstone is on top of a volcano so there are hot spots, geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles everywhere. The minerals in the different types of rock color everything.

Old thankful! A little overrated but still super fun.

Midway Geyser Basin

Next we took off to the midway geyser basin. Nothing says love like posing next to a sulpher pool.

Oh snap, this sign was everywhere and it was funny every time. Keep your kids on the trails!

Grand prismatic springs. These pools are flaming hot and colorful. Isn't it amazing that just a few feet down is liquid hot magma! (Austin Powers)
Next we stopped at gibbon falls. We thought this was so beautiful but just wait for day 3!
This was one of my favorite places. This is called the fountain paint pots. They look like big cans of thick gray paint.
Next we went to the Artists paint post that had a little more color to them. We went on a fun hike up on the mountain and this picture is looking down on the paint pots.
Tyler by the paint pots!
We made our way around the west side of the grand loop. Even when you're driving there is lots to see. It started raining and we were ready for lunch. We stopped at sheepeater cliff and ate in our car because it was pouring, but luckily the sun came out!

Mammoth Hot Springs

Next we drove to Mammoth Hot Springs, it was awesome!
Posing with the springs behind us!
This was so cool. It's minerals that have layer themselves like steps across the mountain. There are tons of trails and walkways to take you around.
Next we went to Undine falls.
... and the petrified redwood
Next up, Yellowstone Grand Canyon but the rain started up again. This picture shows how foggy and stormy it was. We really wanted to see the canyon and be able to hike so we decided to get to our campsite at Bridge Bay.
Things were really stormy and we were starving. We stopped by a little convenient store, but the lunchables didn't look to tempting so we went the lake village lodge for dinner.
Here is Tyler braving the storm for a quick picture.
It's hard to pose when you are taking a picture of yourself.
We went to get the tent set up and it was still raining!!! ah! So we snuggled down in our car for the night. Please remember it was the 3rd of July there was not one empty room or campsite around. It was a great day. I thought I had seen some pretty good nature in my life but Yellowstone was truly amazing. Stay tuned for Day 3, which will answer the question why is Yellowstone yellow, and where the crap did Rock Springs get all those fireworks from!