My 30 hours in Yellowstone

Growing up in North Carolina, you are aware that our state gives you just about everything from coastal waters, through the plains and then the mountains.  The Great Smokey Mountain NP and the Blue Ridge Parkway are our big claims to fame.  Ever how much I love where I grew up and still live today, these areas have nothing to compare to Yellowstone National Park.  You have miles and miles of shore line around it's numerous lakes. 

The mountain regions to many to count, but they are far and wide.  You can actually ride for just a few miles and go from a plain where the animals are abundant to the tops of some of the mountain tops and gorges.  Water falls are everywhere and then you have all the volcanic areas from mud pots pouring from the earth to hot springs and geysers.
While getting ready for this leg of the trip, I found an advertisement in a Wyoming tourism magazine for an app for your smartphone.  It's called Gypsy Yellowstone NP and it's just AMAZING.  I am not gonna do a commercial for it or anything but this app doesn't require cell or wifi, it follows your path via GPS in whichever direction you go around the park and gives you commentary on things you must see and advise on all the various animals throughout the park.  I just set it to play through the truck speakers and it would play every few minutes when you were approaching points of interest.

I knew that I only would have a day or so in the park.  I had made reservations at a campground the week prior but could only get 1 night.  I wanted to make the best of it so I entered through the west entrance and soon headed north in a counterclockwise path around the "Loop" of the park.
You hear about all the visitors to the park and their stories of close encounters with wild life, well I had one too.  This big guy decided he wanted to take the road less rocky and take a stroll.

Next up, was the northern side of the park where the mineral hot springs are abundant.  This was a great time to get out and stake a walk on the various boardwalks the park provided to see what you could see.  Then, the part of the day that wasn't planned, traffic and road construction.  You know when you see a sign that says expect 30 minute delays and to be sure to turn your engine off, you know it's gonna be awhile.  The national park service does an amazing job but to the life of me, I really can't understand digging up the ENTIRE road for 10-15 miles at a time and have everyone drive on gravel. 

Oh well, next up, the color fields of the geysers and mineral springs.  This place was gorgeous.  I could have stayed here all day and I hear that some people do.  The vividness of the color and bacteria from the hot springs and geysers were gorgeous.
And finally, onward to Old Faithful geyser.  Now, this is the most popular area and it shows.  The roads turn into something from a small city with over passes.  The parking lots were enormous.  After getting turned around, I finally made my way to the viewing area, only to see the end of the show. 

Old Faithful Geyser

I arrived right as Old Faithful was finishing up.  What do I do?  Do I leave and say that I saw the show only to know that I saw the ending or do I wait for another 90 minutes, it ended up being 102 mins, before she put on a fantastic show.  Arriving early, I had a prime spot that I occupied all by myself for over 45 mins.  lol  It was worth the wait and I even saw another geyser in the distance put on a show of its own while I waited. 
Arriving at the campground near the southern entrance, I was plum tired.  I only drove about 160 miles around the park but the constant of stopping and getting out to view things and back again was a lot for one day.  If I get to do it again, hopefully with Melanie next time, I'll know better and we can spend several days plundering the park.  All in all, it was a great day.  Tomorrow, there's a change in plans...