Part 6: Old Faithful

We survived our first night camping. Unbeknownst to us, it got down to 19 degrees! Dave and I were freezing all night, but Justin was cozy burrowed down in his sleeping bag and slept great. This would end up being our coldest night by far (thankfully!).

Today we saw the classic Yellowstone attraction. Justin was very excited. "I can't believe I finally get to see Old Faithful today!" First, though, we had some important business to take care of. Justin had already completed all the necessary requirements to become a Junior Ranger. He submitted his paperwork, and got sworn into service shortly before heading out to wait for Old Faithful. We had promised him we would buy him a junior park ranger vest as soon as he completed two junior park ranger badges. This made #2, so he would not let us rest until we bought one for him. Conveniently, the Old Faithful area has multiple gift shops (like, 5 I think?). Good grief!

Anyway, vest purchased and badge pinned on, we headed out to see Old Faithful. After several sputtering starts (Dave and Justin thought it was funny to repeatedly countdown from 10 in the hopes that when they reached "0" Old Faithful would begin erupting, and several others around us kept chuckling so I guess they thought it was funny too, thankfully!), it finally took off. Afterwards, we walked through the majestic and historic Old Faithful Inn. Sigh. How I wish they would have had openings for us here! Maybe next time.

The weather was sunny and mild all day--almost enough to erase the memory of our bitter cold night.

Justin being sworn in as a Yellowstone Junior Park Ranger

NOT Old Faithful, but the Beehive Geyser, which erupts only every 8 hours, erupting shortly before Old Faithful

Old Faithful: as beautiful as ever

After lunch, there was a junior ranger activity: Wildlife Olympics. The crowds were lined up to await the next Old Faithful viewing, so Justin had the activities to himself.

Justin, attempting to hold his breath as long as a beaver

 A grizzly bear can smell food up to 2 1/2 miles away! Justin could smell 6 inches away.

We got another great view of Old Faithful while Justin was engaged in the Olympics

The inside of Old Faithful Inn. We are definitely staying here next time!

Justin, wearing his new junior park ranger vest

Next on the agenda: Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (my all-time favorite here).