Producer Brandon and Mrs. Brandon continue their road trip with Day 2 in Yellowstone National Park.
Drive-by Elking!
We tried not to stop and cause traffic, and let nature be.
These were taking while driving about 35mph… not so bad, eh?
Another shot out the passenger side window of the vastness of Yellowstone.
Day 2 in Yellowstone brought loads of pools.
Most of the pools are at eye level, making it hard to photograph.
Clearly not the case here with a perfect vantage point.
These here are “fountain paint pots” – The Fountain Paint Pot is named for the reds, yellows and browns of the mud in this area. The differing colors are derived from oxidation states of the iron in the mud.
Which is a long way of saying ACIDIC MUD!
Even the most toxic things on Earth have their beauty.
This here is a geyser that’s about to turn into a paint pot.
Thanks to the tour guide we ear-hustled for some pretty interesting facts.
Like: “rising gasses cause the bubbling action. The bubble action in the mud varies with the seasons. In the early summer, the mud is watery from the high water table due to rain and snow melt. By the end of summer, the mud is much thicker as the water table drops.”
Mrs Brandon poses next to the Leather Pool. Leather Pool gets its name from the thick brown bacterial mat that is often found in its lukewarm warm waters. The Redhead made that water boil.
Take heed to this warning, I nearly rolled my ankles walking around aimlessly without knowing where my footing was.
I probably tripped right after taking this amazing pic.
Something steamy this way comes…
Wait for it…
That’s the spot…
Don’t stop…
Hoooooo
Weeeeeee
Further down the old dusty trail, we made our way to the Grand Prismatic Spring.
But first, take in some more scenery…
The color variations changed everywhere you looked.
All of the pools in the Midway Geyser Basin are fed by hot springs, and steam permeated the air.
Every once in a while, the wind would blow away just enough of the steam that rest on top of the water. Making way for a clear view to the floors of the pools.
So inviting.
I could have hung out here all day.
No filters needed.
Staring into the abyss.
The Midway Geyser Basin has the most other-worldly terrain in all of Yellowstone.
Only to be soiled by people’s hats that were blown away by the wind.
Masks were worn in the more popular areas. The Prismatic Spring was the busiest spot we encountered on our trek.
The way the steam dances over the water and glows a lighter blue is my favorite part of these photos.
Making our way around the loop of the pools.
It was so hard (giggity) not to crawl into the pools. Even knowing that our skin would melt off of our bones if we did.
Look closely, you might see some bison tracks in the mud.
Part Earth, Part Mars?
We have entered the psychedelic portion of the park.
Far out, man.
We have arrived at the last stop for our trip in Yellowstone.
This here is the upper shelf of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine in Yellowstone National Park adjacent to Fort Yellowstone and the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District.
You have my permission to use these shots for your desktop wallpaper… is that still a thing?
On our way out of Wyoming…
Just before the shit hit the fan and our vehicle broke down…
