Happy Birthday Thomas! Sweet 21 and legal in all states!
We are celebrating the day by staying in a hotel, lounging on the beach when the temperature hits 74 F. (23 C.) and having beers at lunch. Yellowstone park has been full of surprises since our arrival.
The Boiling River is a Hydrothermal feature of great enjoyment. The Gardner river is warmed from it's cool temperature to various soaking temperatures, hottest at the spring mouth itself.
As Yellowstone National Park is quite high in elevation, it is usually snow-covered at this time of the year. We are lucky to enjoy a late summer, but nearly all the campgrounds have closed and many of the service providers have shut their doors for the season. It wouldn't be a problem if Thomas and I didn't need food to travel. The gas station mini-market will have to provide until Jackson, Wyoming.
Last night the Elk, which are in their heat, or rutting season, bugled constantly. Everyone here loves them, but Thomas and I are jaded to the beauty of Elk after having been raised in Jasper, the mountain town littered with Elk poo.
