My Adventure is here!

I spent the night with Mom and Dad last night and we got up @ 4:15 am to get out the door to the airport. I was ready to go!!

Thanks to Dad I started the day off with a large cappacino with an extra shot of espresso from Star Bucks in the Louisville airport.

We boarded a little plane and flew to Cincinnati, 18 min. We had an hour+ layover at Cincinnati so we ate some breakfast. Walking toward our gate in the airport I saw Steve Zahn an actor that I really like, going the opposite direction. That was really cool!

On board the big 747, it was 3 hrs and 45 min to Salt Lake City. I caught a little nap and really enjoyed my window seat coming into the Salt Lake area. How beautiful!

After we got off the plane we only had time to guzzle down a soft drink and eat chips until it was time to board again to Jackson Hole. This flight was 38 min. The sky was a little overcast and the peaks of the Tetons were in the clouds but the view was STILL awesome!

After we got our rental we were off to Yellowstone....about an hour+ drive. I was so excited and the scenery around me kept me fully entertained.
We entered Yellowstone and got to see some sights as we traveled toward The Old Faithful Inn. We saw Yellowstone Lake, Lewis Lake and West Thumb. We got out at West Thumb and walked around a bit. The thermal activity at this park is mind boggling. The presence of such raw, awesome power is very humbling......as beautiful! I knew I was in for a grand adventure.



We arrived at the Old Faithful Inn and I surely wasn't disappointed in it's grandeur. The architecture is phenomenal. I couldn't wait to get exploring and that's just what I did!

Our dinner reservations at the world renown restaurant were not until 6:00pm so I had about an hour and a half to play around. I was eager to see Old Faithful do her thing. It was quite cool out and overcast. I wasn't sure when the next eruption was due, so I walked back and forth a few times and then decided to go follow some of the walkways through the other geyser, pools and fumaroles. They have these raised wooded walkways throughout the geyser basin for walking because the ground is just too unstable to allow people to go out and walk around anywhere.

I probably walked a mile or so and headed back to Old Faithful. The crowds had started to gather so I figured a time was getting near. I found a nice place to sit and waited. Several different languages I could hear conversing. It reminded me of trips to Washington D.C. and the Grand Canyon. This area definitely has world wide appeal!

As the minutes ticked off I started to feel a sprinkle and decided I better head for shelter since I wasn't properly dressed. As I started around the geyser she started her magic. I continued to walk but not taking my eyes off her display. WOW the power that exists there for the water to reach such heights. I thought the rain was coming more now but then realized I was receiving some of the spray off the eruption. Pretty cool.

Well, I had seen Old Faithful and was now ready to eat!

The resteraunt was worked by all different nationalities of young people. Very neat atmosphere! What a summer job for a college student. We went with the smoked salmon appetizer and the buffet which had on it roast bison and cocktail shrimp. The bison was magnificent. Very tender and flavorful. I had found a new favorite! I had suspected something very tasty. On the drive to Yellowstone we had stopped and picked up some buffalo and elk jerkey and they both were delicious!

Well, we got our bellies full and called it a night. I couldn't believe I was really here and I couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.