Well after 1200 miles of solo driving I arrived at Yellowstone National Park. The Park is so big that it straddles 3 states - which is probably something that should have set off some warning bells before I set off on a drive that is the equivalent of flying into Auckland and driving all the way to Invercargill. Each way. Yes I am not known for my directional ability. Anyway, it was worth it because Yellowstone is amazing.
The whole park is basically one big geothermal area. It makes Rotorua look tiny. The park rangers were apparently (thanks Dad) looking for the crater from the original volcano and couldn't find it - until astronauts looked down from space and worked out that the caldera is basically as big as the whole park. Like a giant meat pie that blew out at the edges and then collapsed into itself. And apparently it is 'due' to go off again. Awesome.
In the photo of the lake above that's boiling geothermal steam piping up from the edges of the lake which is only about 5 degrees. Then just as I was taking this a geyser went off at the edge of the lake while I was standing there which was just bizarre:
But the reason I really went was the wildlife:
Bison (very large but very cool). Below is as close as I was allowed to get to a grizzly bear and her cub (digital zoom + telephoto so a bit shaky):
and above are some pelicans. Finally the other notable feature of the park was the SNOW - not so cool for a Kiwi girl used to using her tent on the beach.
but the campfires you are allowed to build are cool ...
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