Given the success of the previous day's strategy I got another early start. As I made my way out of the rest room I happened to see the same boy walking around from the tent encounter from the day before. Knowing that my hair was wild from a night of sleeping on the ground, I did my best grizzly bear snarling stare down and had him scampering away in seconds.
Another good climb started the day. I love climbing, especially when my legs are fresh as it means I will be mellow in the saddle the rest of the day. Near the top of the climb I was passed by two cyclists who were touring supported by car (read: they had no luggage). Turns out they were wrapping up Wyoming today and heading back to Seattle with their wives.
After 20 miles I pulled into the Old Faithful Village. I grabbed a couple of breakfast sandwiches and coffee, walked over to the central viewing area, and watched that reliable geezer of a geyser spout for the umpteenth millionth time. Got some nice video I will post when I get back.
In the miles following Old Faithful I would stop several times to do boardwalk tours of various geyser-laden basins. The colors of these geysers and springs were brilliant. Pictures to follow.
Further down the road I would cross paths with meese (plural of moose), buffalo, Canadian geese, elk, and gapers. The last animal, the gaper, is a variant of the tourist who likes to make poor decisions by gaping at wild animals and then trying to interact with them. Every year, thousands of gapers are attacked by animals, and I couldn't be happier.
The descent down the Madison River to West Yellowstone was just as much fun as the last time I did it. Wide shoulder, gentle downhill, teeming with wildlife, and mountains all around.
When I arrived in West Yellowstone I snagged a room at a hostel in town, very nice place although I have yet to meet my roommate. Yikes! I will keep you posted.
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