CODY, Wyoming – Wednesday August 10, 2011:

Our Teton adventure behind us, it was time to play tourist for a bit.  We drove the hour or so north to Yellowstone National Park, our nation’s first National Park.  Our schedule as usual was compressed.  Seattle was calling Patrick.  David, Maraya and I were being pulled in the opposite direction by Devils Tower.

We decided the best course of action was to simply hit that most quintessential of all Yellowstone sites, Old Faithful.  Upon arrival, we learned that we had just missed an eruption by about fifteen minutes.  This meant we had a little time to wander, as Old Faithful erupts every ninety-three minutes on average.  A half-mile loop trail surrounds Old Faithful and snakes by other lesser geysers and various geothermal features, so we took the time to take the leisurely stroll.

Interior of Old Faithful Inn

We also visited the Old Faithful Inn, a timber-framed 100-year old work of art, complete with massive stone fireplace.  We snapped pictures and marveled at the structure until it was show time.  We took our places at the end of the concrete semi-circle viewing platform surrounding the famous geyser and waited… and waited… and waited.  I joked that after we finally did witness an eruption, the Park Service would need to adjust that 93-minute average upwards.

Old Faithful - Doing Its Thing

After a few teaser false starts, the geyser finally let loose to the cheers of the hundreds who had gathered 8-10 deep to witness the spectacle. Three to four minutes later the show was over and the crowd dispersed.  The final stop was the Visitors Center so that Patrick and I could get our National Park Passport Books stamped.  Not one to miss out on the excitement, David purchased a Passport Book of his own and got his first stamp.

It was then time to say goodbye to Patrick and wish him well as he began his solo journey that would take him to Mt. Rainier and points unknown.  The four of us posed for one final group shot in front of Patrick’s car, and at 7:30 pm, Patrick was on his own.

Final Group Shot in Yellowstone Parking Lot

David Maraya and I drove out along Yellowstone Lake, stopping periodically to view various mule deer and at least one bison and to capture the colorful and singular images of the Park illuminated by the dazzling rays of the setting sun.

Just before 10:00 PM we arrived in Cody, Wyoming and were lucky enough to glimpse, albeit from the parking lot, the final bull ride of the nightly Stampede.  Dinner was at Cassie’s, a former brothel, where David tempted fate by ordering the “Hangover Burger,” and for a final taste of local flavor a nightcap was had at the Silver Dollar, where locals were engaged in a friendly and sometimes rowdy game of poker with the visiting Rodeo Cowboys.

David photographing Cassie's Hangover Burger in the event of a Coroner's Inquest