Vacation 1999


Yellowstone National Park


Getting Started.

We rented a 30ft Motorhome and loaded it up with everything we expected to need for a two week "Road trip". We started out by driving out to Jenner and crusing up the coast on Hwy 1. While it is a very pretty drive, it's also a very slow drive. We made it as far as Richardson's RV park at Humboldt State Park in the Redwoods and called it a night. The next day we drove on up to Eureka and took off for Lassen Volcanic National Park and the first stop in our "Death and Destruction tour" (We called it that cause our focus was on Volcanic activity and it sure makes a mess of things.
the motorhome
Getting Started

Lassen Volcanic National Park

The first order of business was to purchase our Golden Eagle pass which would provide us entry to each of the National Parks along the way. Unfortunately, we arrived after the Visitor's Center was closed for the day and had to wait until 9 the next morning. We got to the visitor's center about 5 minutes early and waited for the rangers to arrive. Right at nine we saw this group march right over to the visitor's center and it opened. Since we never saw the rangers, we are left with only one startling conclusion...
Ducks
The Rangers?
Steam vent
A Steam vent
Boiling puddle
A Boiling Puddle
Penny
Penny
Volcano
The Volcano
Cinder cone
A Cinder Cone
Hoodoo
A Hoodoo
Snow
Snow

Mount St Helens

After leaving Lassen, we hopped onto interstate 5 and high-tailed it off to Washington and Mount St. Helens.
We had originally planned to visit Crater Lake, but decided that we would rather take some time to enjoy the Columbia River Gourge on the way East and since we had both been to Crater Lake before, it was the obvious candidate for the axe. We got as far as Portland that day. This allowed us to dedicate a full day to Mount St. Helens and it was worth it. When the mountain blew, it took everything within a 25 mile radius with it. Even 20 years latter it looks like a bomb was dropped or something. Everything within the first 6-7 miles was just totally obliterated by the flow of lava and mud (remember that it was covered by snow before the eruption, from 6-15 miles the winds were so great that all the trees were just flattened - they were not burned because the winds blew out the flames, from 15 to 25 miles everything was burnt. Dead trees as far as the eye can see in all directions.
Much of the land surrounding the mountain was/is owned by Weyerhouser lumber, so they have a vested interested in replanting forests as quickly as possible. They reached an aggreement with the Forest Service, however, to leave one full side alone for nature to recover on its own.
There are signs all along the road explaining when the new trees were planted and reminding you of the volcano (I think Weyerhouser wants to make sure people don't start thinking that the desolation is a product of clear cutting or something).
First look
First look
Bill at the Observatory
Bill at Observatory
Penny at the Observatory
Penny at Observatory
The Mountain
The Mountain
The Mountain up close
Up close
First look
Mudflow into Spirit Lake
Blow Zone vs Burn Zone
Blow Zone vs Burn Zone
More downed trees
More Downed Trees
Rock thrown from Volcano
Rock thrown from Volcano
Volcano from Hot Rock
Looking back at the Volcano
The river
The river
More Washdown
More Washdown in river basin
Weyerhouser at work
Weyerhouser at work
Recovery
Recovery
Chipmonk
Chipmonk

Columbia River Gorge

After all that, it was nice to see Trees and green stuff again. We took the Scenic drive along the Columbia River Gorge all the way across the top of Oregon. Didn't take any pictures of the gorge itself (too big - like trying to take a picture of the Grand Canyon, but the scenic drive was very pretty. The Bridge in the picture is one that has a story about a giant rock that came tumbling down while a wedding was being performed on the bridge. The rock landed under the bridge and made a dramatic impact. Penny was quit taken by the Lavatories at the Visitor's center at the beginning of the drive - don't see all that marble around much any more.
the Falls
the Falls
More Falls
More Falls
Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls
Oneonta Gorge
Oneonta Gorge
Multnomah Bridge
Multnomah Bridge
Crown Point Bathroom
Crown Point Bathroom
one Stall
Crown Point Bathroom Stall

Steve and Margaret

Next, On to Boise Idaho and Steve's house.
The Family
The Family
Steve
Steve
Margaret
Margaret
Kristine (just after Dental surgury
Kristine
Brian
Brian
Cindy
Cindy

Craters of the Moon

Steve promised us that we were in for a real treat on the next part of our journey. He explained that we would be driving through miles of beautiful farmland. Right away we knew we were in trouble - the road ahead looked like something out of Vanishing Point. If this was beautiful farmland, it obviously had yet to realize it's full potential. Anyway, we drove on to Craters of the Moon National Park for some up close looks at lava. I never realized just how much volcanic activity there is in the continental United States. Once we got to Craters of the Moon, we started to realize that land really didn't look so bad. In fact, this place made Mount St. Helen look like it was well on the road to recovery. They did have a cute little baby volcano (maybe it was they display model the gods used) that you could walk right up to (and into). The had a slightly larger one that was actually a Cinder cone - which we found out is just a volcano that got burried in it's own ash. I took a picture of the Motorhome from the top to give an idea of it's size - then I tried my hand at a panarama. They also had some paths you could take to walk out amoungst the lava and I noticed that some of it created really cool patterns it managed to take on the look of Curtains, Tree bark, wood with grain and so on. There were some lava tubes that had caved in to create caves and tunnels and I went in a couple.
Vanishing Point
Vanishing Point
The approach
Here it comes
Close up
Close up
Sales Sample Sized Volcano
Sales Sample Sized Volcano
From the Top
Motorhome from the CinderCone
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Panarama
Curtains
Curtains
Bark
Bark
Grain
Grain
Cave
Cave
Tunnel
Tunnel

EBR1
(Experimental Breeder Reactor number 1)

Steve told us about another stop that we just had to make on our way to Yellowstone (since it was almost exactly the half way point, I thought it was a great idea). Near the town of Arco, Idaho the State gave quite a large amount of land over to the Feds to do some Nuclear research. The Feds wanted to prove you could use Nuclear power for generating power. The plan was to build the first power producing Breeder Reactor and use it to power an entire town. Arco thought this was their chance to tap into the motherload and just knew in their hearts that shortly they would be booming from a town of 780 that was just scraping by to ... well, the sky was the limit. As it turned out, they didn't have the infrastructure to support all the support services the Feds required and so the Feds ended up building their own facilities. Although Arco is still the first town ever to have been powered by nuclear power, it is also still a town 780 that is barely scraping by. The only thing that appeared to have been an addition to this town as a result of this experiment is a drive-in called the Atomic Burger (we didn't try it). At EBR1, they have their reactor which is now decomissioned and is only their for the tourists and a "proof of concept" reactor they built to power an airplane. This reactor was never tested as the project lost it's funding just before completion. It would have required quite a large plane though as it weighs over 2 tons.
EBR1 and pile
EBR1 and pile
EBR1
EBR1
pile for atomic airplane
pile for atomic airplane
EBR1 core
EBR1 core

Yellowstone National Park

We spent 4 days in Yellowstone, so the chronology gets a little less meaningful. I'll just go alphabetically, but divide it between geology and Animals. Yellowstone was the very first National Park and was established by President Roosevelt.
Yellowstone Arch and Plaque
Yellowstone Arch and Plaque
Just the Plaque
Just the Plaque
Yellowstone Arch from further back
Yellowstone Arch

Animals

One of the things that is stressed over and over in Yellowstone is that this park is here for the animals. It is their home and you are a guest - keep out of their way. Consequently, you often will have to stop while driving through the park and wait for one of the residents to clear the way. It is great fun seeing all the different animals right up close (but not too close - they are wild after all).

Bears

Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear
Bear

Buffalo

Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffalo

Continental Divide (Bill and Penny)

At the Continental divide of course. This is the point at which water flows the "wrong way". Well, I suppose that depends on your perspective. All rivers East of this point are destined to end up in the Atlantic ocean (some by way of the Gulf of Mexico and others directly) while all rivers West of this point will eventually find their way to the Pacific ocean.
Bill
Bill
Bill
Bill
Penny
Penny
Penny
Penny
Penny
Penny

Coyote

It is really hard to tell the difference between a coyote and a wolf. They both have similar coloring. The difference is mainly that coyotes are smaller and more slight with slender legs, pointy ears and a narrow muzzle.
Coyote
Coyote

Deer

There are a few different types of deer in Yellowstone, these could even be Elk. I didn't think they had the distinctive dark head and neck for an Elk, so I decided they weren't.
Deer
Deer
Deer
Deer

Elk

The real thing.
ELk
Elk
Elk
Elk
ELk
Elk
ELk
Elk
ELk
Elk

Marmot

Marmot
Marmot
Marmot
Marmot
Marmot
Marmot

Raven

Raven
Raven

Wolf

OK, he could just as easily be a coyote too, but we wanted to see a wolf and the picture was blurry anyway. He really does look thicker than the other one, so I say he is a wolf.
Wolf
Wolf

Geology and Geo-Thermal Activity

Everyone knows about old faithful, but how 'bout all the other great stuff they have.
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Artist Paintpot
Beehive Geyser
Beehive Geyser
Bubbly Pool
Bubbly Pool
Cliffs over road
Cliffs over road
Cliffs
Cliffs
Colorful Cliffs
Colorful Cliffs
Dead Trees
Dead Trees (from fire in 1988)
Dormant Geyser (not)
Dormant Geyser (not)
Feathery stuff
Feathery stuff
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
Fountain Paintpot
a Geyser
Geyser
Giant Geyser
Giant Geyser
Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls
Golden Gate
Golden Gate
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Grotto Geyser
Grotto Geyser
Hoodoos
Hoodoos
Hoodoos
Hoodoos
Hoodoos
Hoodoos
Kepler Cascades
Kepler Cascades
lake
Lake
Lake
Lake
Lake
Lake
Mammoth Springs
Mammoth Springs
Mammoth Springs
Mammoth Springs
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Midway Geyser Walk
Morning Glory
Morning Glory
Mud Volcano
Mud Volcano
Norris
Norris
Norris
Norris
Norris
Norris
Norris
Norris
Old Faithfull Inn Window
Old Faithfull Inn Window
Old Faithfull Inn
Old Faithfull Inn
Old Faithfull Inn
Old Faithfull Inn
Old Faithfull Trail
Old Faithfull Trail
Old Faithfull
Old Faithfull
Old Faithfull
Old Faithfull
Over the Falls
Over the Falls
Petrified Tree
Petrified Tree
Pool
Pool
Roosevelt Cabins
Roosevelt Cabins
Round Spring
Round Spring
Seeping Rock
Seeping Rock
Top of Water
Top of Water
Undine Falls
Undine Falls
West Thumb Geyser
West Thumb Geyser

Cody

We took a day trip out the East entrance to see the town of Cody. It was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody. We saw some very impressive rock formation along the way. The Western museum at Cody was nice too.
The Hoodoo of all Hoodoos
A really cool Hoodoo
More Hoodoos
More Hoodoos
Buffalo Bill Center
Buffalo Bill Center

Grand Tetons

Grand Tetons was a really nice drive and, for the most part, escaped the fires that ravaged Yellowstone. If you lived in the area, it would a great place to camp. The mountains are large, but after all we just saw, I wasn't all that impressed. The Grand Tetons are actually visible from Yellowstone and this is from where the first two pictures were taken.
Grand Tetons from Yellowstone
Grand Tetons from Yellowstone
Grand Tetons from Yellowstone
Grand Tetons from Yellowstone
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons

Golden Spike

After leaving the Grand Tetons, on our way to Salt Lake City, we noticed a rather quiet sign, of the fashion used by the forestry service, that indicated "Golden Spike National Historic Site ->". Bill couldn't resist and after a considerable sidetrack, we found the actual site of the tent boom town Promontory and the location where the Golden Spike was driven that connected the railroads of the east and west. Before we ever got to the Golden Spike Site, we drove by a facility that looked liked a bunch of roofs behind an artificial burm. There was an impress fence (considering it was in the middle of no where), and there was a little sign that indicated that the fence was government property. We decided it was a secret facility and we really were not seeing it (OK, we were kind of bored).
Secret Government site
Secret Government site
Visitor's Center
Visitor's Center
No 119
No 119
No 119
No 119
No 119
No 119
No 119
No 119
Jupiter and No 119
Jupiter and No 119
Jupiter and Promontory
Jupiter and Promontory
Promontory
Promontory
Promontory Story
Promontory Story
Golden Spike Plaque
Golden spike Plaque

Salt Lake City

We've been working on Family Trees recently, so we couldn't just drive through Salt Lake City. We had to at least stop by the Family History Center and say "thank you" for all the information they have provided us.
Family History Center
Family History Center
The Organ in the Tabernacle
The Organ in the Tabernacle