Yellowstone Part III
So why the fence in the parking lot? There's your answer. A new geyser decided to pop up right there. It's only steaming at the moment, but who knows, another "real" one in the making? This is truly a fascinating place.
Yeah, that's right. 328 steps to give you those beautiful pictures of the Lower Falls. The guy on the right was trying to tell me something, only I wasn't smart enough to listen. The ravens were all over the place, and just as raucous and big as those we know from Alaska. I really should have listened to him.
Now, these were taken as we were climbing back up. Had to take the pictures on the way back, because I'm afraid I couldn't steady the camera enough on the way down. That's a bloody cliff these stairs are glued to! And frankly, I'm a little proud of myself. Only had to stop once on the way down and hold on to the inside handrail with both hands. Said I was waiting for Barb, but she knew better. Amazing what prayer can do! And remember the people we saw at the top of the falls? Good thing I didn't want to meet them, because if I get out of this alive I'm never going anywhere near a waterfall again.
That river is a loooong way down there, and the top of the tree with all the cones is straight out from us. And the tree is at least 50' tall. Really! I really didn't care, but did have to have a reason to stop and catch my breath. Again.
Well, I survived the climb to the lower falls and back on Uncle Tom's trail. And you remember seeing the people at the top of the falls? Well, this is how they got there. Yup. Down that trail. And I don't know about you, but 3/8ths of a mile one way is awful close to a mile round trip for this old guy. And if it's down hill one way, it's gotta be up hill the other way, right?