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The Family Stone Part I: Upper Geyser Basin

My family has not gone on vacation together for almost twenty years. This fall we attempted to remedy that, sort of. Jason and I traveled to Yellowstone National Park near the end of August with my parents and my brother Andrew’s family for an extended weekend overflowing with hydrothermal masterpieces.

Old Faithful is probably Yellowstone's most famous feature. Its show are pretty predictable, every 45-125 minutes, and last 1-5 minutes typically. Old Faithful discharges boiling water up to 185 feet in the air during these spectacular happenings.
Old Faithful is probably Yellowstone’s most famous feature. Its show are pretty predictable, every 45-125 minutes, and last 1-5 minutes typically. Old Faithful discharges boiling water up to 185 feet in the air during these spectacular happenings.
While we were in the Upper Geyser Basin, a buffalo wandered very close to our group. He even kindly posed for us.
While we were in the Upper Geyser Basin, a buffalo wandered very close to our group. He even kindly posed for us.
Isabelle did not fancy walking on her own much so Andrew frequently strapped her on his back like a babe.
Isabelle did not fancy walking on her own much so Andrew frequently strapped her on his back like a babe.

Thanks to our well-timed reservations, made nine months in advance, we were all able to secure accommodations in the Old Faithful area. Jason and I, along with Drew’s clan, stayed in the frontier cabins adjacent to the lodge and my parents resided at the Old Faithful Inn. The cabins were definitely a relic of a bygone era. They by no means were sophisticated. However, despite their simplicity, they were tidy and, more importantly, literally a minute away from Old Faithful and the other geological oddities of the Upper Geyser Basin.

One side of this cabin was ours during our stay. No, it wasn't spacious or super comfortable but it was very convenient.
One side of this cabin was ours during our stay. No, it wasn’t spacious or super comfortable but it was very convenient.
Boardwalks are quite common in Yellowstone due to ground instability, thermophilic organisms, and scorching runoff.
Boardwalks are quite common in Yellowstone due to ground instability, thermophilic organisms, and scorching runoff.
Morning Glory Pool, beautiful at 158 degrees, has repeatedly been the victim of vandalism. Leave it to the idiots of the world to treat a unique and delicate spring like their personal wishing well.
Morning Glory Pool, beautiful at 158 degrees, has repeatedly been the victim of vandalism. Leave it to the idiots of the world to treat a unique and delicate spring like their personal wishing well.

It’s difficult to describe Yellowstone to those that have never been there because it seems unbelievable even as you are witnessing it: the pockets of steam peppering the horizon, the vibrant pools and stinky mudpots, the streaks of living color turning the ground into a rainbow, and, of course, the fickle geysers. The Upper Geyser Basin holds the majority of the world’s active geysers. From Old Faithful, which erupts roughly every 90 minutes, to Giant, which hasn’t erupted since 2010, Upper Geyser’s performers are a fascinating natural phenomenon that will keep you hurrying down boardwalks in search of the next upsurge surprise. During the afternoon we spent in the area, we watched some spectacular steam and spout explosions. Grotto, Turban, Spasmodic, Sawmill, Lion, Anemone, and Old Faithful all showed us their geyser stuff. We were really trying to catch Grand Geyser’s routine too but we missed it by minutes.

Grotto Geyser discharges about every 8 hours on average. Although it only shoots water 10-40 feet, its sinter shell, formed by coated tree stumps, makes these events very cool.
Grotto Geyser discharges about every 8 hours on average. Although it only shoots water 10-40 feet, its sinter shell, formed by coated tree stumps, makes these events very cool.
The Firehole River winds through Upper Geyser Basin forming a strip of normality amidst the remarkably odd.
The Firehole River winds through Upper Geyser Basin forming a strip of normality amidst the remarkably odd.
Sawmill erupts roughly every 1-3 hours. It was named for the humming sound it makes during these events.
Sawmill erupts roughly every 1-3 hours. It was named for the humming sound it makes during these events.

The Upper Geyser Basin was extraordinary. It’s amazing how nature’s genius can transform a little groundwater and some magma heat into an assortment of majestic and powerful spray displays. I wish we had had another day to spend near Old Faithful but we had other park wonders to see. You will hear all about those marvels next week. Will you be able to quell your boiling curiosity until then?

Rachel October 9, 2014 No Comments

Relative Competitors

The ladies in my family gave the entire gang of boys a group gift for Father’s Day this year: a golf outing together. After all, boys, bonding, and big sticks belong together.

Everyone's got their own swing; Drew's just looks more absurd than most.
Everyone’s got their own swing; Drew’s just looks more absurd than most.

According to the family rumor mill, the men quite enjoyed themselves, although it was pretty hot. My dad’s team, despite his partners being the youngest members of this masculine consortium, won the game.

Nine members of my clan went on this sporty outing.
Nine members of my clan went on this sporty outing.
Despite his seeming glumness, Benson did have a good time.
Despite his seeming glumness, Benson did have a good time.

Breakfast at IHOP followed this prestigious match so that those trounced could drown their losses in syrup, one of the better balms for defeat.

The little guys were spent by the end of the tournament.
The little guys were spent by the end of the tournament.
Drew decided to coach Jadon at the end of the game when his pointers were pointless.
Drew decided to coach Jadon at the end of the game when his pointers were pointless.

I guess it just takes a little turf and some pars to tie a family together.

Rachel August 10, 2014 No Comments

Nerds with Benefits

There are certain benefits to having a full fleet of nerdy friends. For starters, discussions on whether Gorn or Mugato is more impervious to Kirk Kicks or which Doctor has the most effective screwdriver are frequent and fascinating in our circle. Plus, it’s easy to find a companion for pursuing a Pathfinder quest or the latest Miyazaki flick. Also, having many geeky acquaintances means you always have somewhere to go when you happen to be dressed like a giant fox. On that note, our friends, the Rowleys, again hosted Rowley Con this spring, their annual tribute to all things gaming and geeking. It, once more, filled that twenty-sided void in many a heart and provided a loving home to unnaturally-sized foxes everywhere.

Jason took on Captain Kirk with this Friday facsimile. He had all the details down to the badge and phaser.
Jason took on Captain Kirk with this Friday facsimile. He had all the details down to the badge and phaser.
My Saturday duds consisted of long johns and various foxy parts. Jason looked suave dressed as my backup dancer.
My Saturday duds consisted of long johns and various foxy parts. Jason looked suave dressed as my backup dancer.

While the busyness of the particular weekend that Rowley Con was scheduled on this year prevented Jason and me from cavorting our usual amount at it, we stayed and played enough to participate in the competition for total nerd domination. The challenge categories this time were Dance Central 3, Love Letter, Crokinole, TowerFall, and a zombie game with ambiguous victors. Although neither of us succeeded at securing placement as the grand winner, I did manage to win the Dance Central 3 contest, which, frankly, is surprising since I had never danced the competition song until the three times I performed it during this tournament.

Milo donned his best bowtie and sonic screwdriver for this Eleventh Doctor outfit.
Milo donned his best bowtie and sonic screwdriver for this Eleventh Doctor outfit.
Love Letter was one of the tournament games this year. I believe Brandi proved herself the most appealing suitor.
Love Letter was one of the tournament games this year. I believe Brandi proved herself the most appealing suitor.
Many of the little kids preferred spending Saturday outside rather than amongst the congregated herd of nerds.
Many of the little kids preferred spending Saturday outside rather than amongst the congregated herd of nerds.

As is customary, Jason and I dressed iconically for this con occasion. We wore Starfleet uniforms on Friday and told everyone just what the fox says on Saturday. That’s right, I broke out my fox outfit, with some modifications, and Jason, in full feral splendor, dressed as my backup dancer. We were happy to see that a few other attendees actually sported costumes this year. I won the best female costume prize and the best male went to my brother Drew for his Doctor scrubs.

Andrew and Simone paid homage to the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond with these great costumes.
Andrew and Simone paid homage to the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond with these great costumes.
The prize for my award-winning costume was a unicorn mask. It found its way onto Bart’s head rather quickly.

Thanks Jeremy and Amber for hosting Rowley Con once again! Nerds may have sweet nunchuks skills but they’re not always competent in the gratitude department. So allow me to say thank you, on everyone’s behalf, from the bottom of my two hearts.

Rachel May 14, 2014 1 Comment
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