A Little Background
One thing you learn quickly about Yellowstone (and the American West in general) is that things are pretty far apart.
Yellowstone Park itself forms a rectangle approximately 60 miles tall by 55 miles wide. It encompasses more than 3,400 square miles, four-and-a-half times more area than all of Allegheny County. If superimposed on my native stomping grounds of Western Pennsylvania, Yellowstone would cover an area up past Butler to the north and down below Connellsville to the south, and would range from Burgettstown to the west past Greensburg to the east.
 |
Artist's rendition, superimposing key attractions from Yellowstone onto Western PA.
The whole rectangle represents the approximate size of Yellowstone.
The area in a pinkish-hue is Allegheny County. |
Remember how exited I was on Friday to reach the park entrance, only to realize I still had an hour to get to our campground? That was equivalent to crossing into PA from WV on I-79 and realizing I still had an hour before I got to the airport.
We've already explored the three closest large attractions to our campsite: Old Faithful, Norris Basin, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Today will take us to the next closest: Fishing Village and the Hayden Valley.
9:30a. The Grand Prismatic Spring
Our trip takes us past the Grand Prismatic Spring, a notably large and colorful hot spring. A hot and sulfuric wind blows constantly across the raised boardwalk as we take in the sights. The novelty this time, however, isn't the sulfuric smell (it's not nearly as strong as in the Norris Basin), but the strength and ceaseless nature of the wind. All of us have to remove our hats during the entire visit, or risk having them blown off our heads and down into the boiling water below, where they would join the mass of dozens of hats, umbrellas, sunglasses, brochures and other detritus that have suffered such a fate.
Luckily, we keep our hats and sunglasses safe and enjoy a few moments taking in the unique display of colors (and smells).
 |
| The run-off from the Grand Prismatic Spring flows into the adjacent river |
4:00p. The Shore of Yellowstone Lake.
After some more driving and stops at Visitor Centers and general stores, we've found ourselves at a somewhat secluded beach along the shore of Lake Yellowstone. The Musial boys take full advantage, and we spend several hours splashing in the lake, tossing Frisbees, building sand castles, and just generally hanging out. It's a very nice, low-key way to spend the afternoon. The only downside is: at some point, my wife's camera stops working. Using the internet to diagnosis the error message we're receiving, it's clear that it's not something I can fix -- at least not in in a national park. Regardless, we got some great pictures and had a really nice afternoon.
 |
| The Musial boys take to the lake. |
 |
| With mountains rising in the distance, a few boys re-enact the famous scene from Chariots of Fire |
 |
| Dad shows off his Frisbee-tossing form |
 |
| The oldest boy stretches to make the catch |
 |
| Sandcastles up front, Frisbee in the rear |
6:00p. Hayden Valley
We've stopped in a parking lot overlooking the Hayden Valley. According to the rangers and the guidebooks, this is a great spot to watch herds of migrating animals, including Bison, Elk, and even (sometimes) wolves. We hang out for thirty minutes or so, but don't really see anything except for a half-dozen elk fording a stream a few miles away. Disappointing from a wildlife-spotting perspective, but an impressive view nonetheless.
 |
| A great view, unfortunately devoid of wildlife :-( |
8:00p. Madison Campsite
We come back to the campsite to find that the relentless buffeting of the mountain winds have ripped a tear in the corner of my tarp. While still functional, the assembly no longer has the elegance it once had. Thank you, tarp-contraption, for the time you spent with us at this campsite.
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you
--Don McLean
