Day 28: Old Faithful

Distance: 32 avg: 11.6

Today I left the comfort of the Rustic Moose Cabins. If you are ever in West Yellowstone, look them up. They’re friendly and their rooms are well-decorated and featured.

I headed into Yellowstone National Park, which, in a lot of ways is like entering Grand Canyon National Park. Long lines of cars and rvs. Long waits. Not just American but international visitors.

But boy is it a fantastic park! The Grand Canyon is a one-trick pony compared to this place. I see elk grazing. I pass a bald eagle’s nest. I stop by a herd of bison grazing. They are about 20 feet in front of me. Then I’m passing some amazing thermals, and stop at the Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s a beautiful collection of multi-colored thermal pools that really live up to their name. The colors in the photos can’t do them justice.

I keep heading on to Old Faithful. I stop there for lunch, and wait for the next eruption. And wait. And wait some more. I start playing Sudoku on my phone and start wondering if it’s really worth it. Finally it erupts. It’s actually pretty cool! Definitely worth it!

I start heading out and check out my map. A park ranger sees me and asks where I’m headed/been. Turns out he took the same route here last year from Astoria! I mention the camping situation for me is looking pretty bleak. Did he have any tips? He gave me this look like, ‘you have no idea how bleak it is.’ we went inside and checked out the campground info. Closed, closed, full, full, etc. I wouldn’t be at someplace I could camp at for a looong time. He offered that I could pitch my tent behind his trailer.

Yellowstone/Grand Teton have a strict no camping off-path rule due to the bear situation. I could take my chances with the campgrounds and bears, or I could stay with Bob. It was such a kind offer. I didn’t refuse.

So here I am, in bob’s backyard. I’ve been using the extra time. I rotated my tires and patched a rip in my food bag. Took a hot shower. Tomorrow I hope to get up super early and beat the traffic out of Yellowstone. But…I’m not really sure I want to leave!