McEwen Farming and Family Stuff

une 30

We set off early to have a full day in Yellowstone. Leaving Jackson I asked the Lord to bless us with seeing some animals  and` Old Faithful’ blow – two things I wanted out of the day the rest I didn’t know what to expect. Rounding  a corner, on the way,  OW! The magnificent Teton Mountain range rising directly abruptly from the valley floor came in view.  A number of peaks but three standing out – snowncapped still, one with a large glacier to view and read about. Lakes, wet lands and grazing country are part of this National Park. In the distance, we saw a herd of bison. Of course, bison once grazed in great numbers across these valleys.

The first feature we visited in Yellowstone was West Thumb Geyser Basin – we hadn’t seen hot pools with bubbling gas and steam before so it was special – one pool being deep blue. Finally we arrive at Old Faithful . Friendly, tourist in the carpark told us the geyser had just blown so we had a hour to wait – enjoyed the info and the scene. Ian holding a front row seat chatted up farmers from Illinois.

Up she went – magnificent! We clapped when the eruption finished- what a show-  pity `she’  is innate and can’t appreciate our appreciation of the wonder of the phenomena  `she’ is.  Alison  read  that the temperature is not too hot and that the continuous earthquakes (which you can’t feel) keep the fractures clear causing the pressure to build consistently. A wonder of God’s creation.

People everywhere – Ian told the Illinois farmers that the whole of Aust. Population was there- we only have 23 million people – our vast land is so lightly populated compared to US. We managed to find a spot without people to have lunch. Alison  thought she would walk down to the river but the whole 400 yards of river bank was draining water – just view from a distance.

We both walked through the Grand Prismatic Spring –  this geyer exploded in 1888 and once since. But it then filled the crater with a large hot spring that continuously overflows with boiling water, down the embankment making it’s way to the river leaving rock caked with orange and yellow sediment.

As we were leaving the Park through the west entrance, we saw our only animal – bison with her calf. She was grazing by the side of the road, she walked close by the car. She turned her head and caught Alison’s eye. She told me that she thought we were all the weirdos – staring at her.  We were the extraordinary to be looked at – hundreds of us – not her!!!!! Anyway no self respecting bear, mousse, elk is going to come close to thousands of human beings gawking at them!!!

Returning to our motel  via the western route, Ian stopped and spoke to a farmer in one of the valleys which has the Teton mountains in the background – what a place to farm!!! Irrigation from bores. Wheat, potatoes

Amazing day.