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Our fabulous vacation to Montana and Wyoming continues and we
finally
reach the region filled with thermal springs, mudpots and hot
water
spouts; we are approaching the Old Faithful Lodge and the most
interesting and recognized landmark phenomenon known as Old
Faithful;
I was totally unprepared for the unbelievable amount of geysers
located in that vast area.
According to Wikipedia; “A geyser is a spring characterized by
an
intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and
accompanied by
steam. As a fairly rare phenomenon, the formation of geysers is
due to
particular hydrogeological conditions that exist only in a few
places
on Earth.” Apparently surface water goes down around seven
thousand or
so feet where it meets with hot rocks, reaches a boiling
temperature
and then races back to the surface as a steam bath. This
phenomenon
is not exclusive to our earth, it has been observed on moons
belonging
to Saturn and Neptune. Geysers are generally found along
fault-lines;
therefore earthquakes are considered normal for the region.
The Old Faithful Inn is a masterpiece of art which is one of the
largest log-built structures in existence but sadly because of
Covid-19, the inn was closed to visitors. The building is
massive,
contains over three hundred rooms and the general areas are
constructed of wood. In keeping with the historic roots of
1903,
there are no televisions, wifi or air conditioners included with
the
accommodations. It contains rustic wood architecture and
massive
stone fireplaces; when it opened in 1904, it featured electric
lights
and a steam heating system.
The architect for the project was Robert Reamer who was only
twenty
nine years old, and he designed the massive porch of the
structure to
be a comfortable waiting and viewing area for the many
surrounding
geysers to include Old Faithful. It is told that The Inn was
designed
by Reamer to be asymmetrical to reflect the chaos of the nature
that
surrounded the building.
Our small group was lucky to arrive a few minutes after an
eruption by
Old Faithful so we were able to score a nice seat with a view on
one
of the provided benches, and wait patiently for the next show.
Old
Faithful was discovered by the Washburn-Langford-Doane
Expedition
during 1870 and was the first geyser to receive a name. The
elevation
is 7,349 feet and it performs an unforgettable show about every
ninety
minutes.
The national park service monitors each eruption and enters
pertinent
data that is shared with interested people. Old Faithful is one
of
about five hundred active geysers in the area but the park
ranger
office only monitors six of them. If you have never seen Old
Faithful, be prepared for an undisturbed performance, there are
no
bands, banners or announcements, no fanfare, just every ninety
minutes
or so, one of the most beautiful emissions of steam and water you
have
ever witnessed.
Luckily, a rainbow appears in my video; I was told it is
considered
lucky; viewing the performance is an unforgettable experience.
Brenda S. Brown
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