Day 6

After an adventurous (uncomfortable) night in the tent, we decided to fancy it up this evening by staying at a bed and breakfast in Jackson Hole, WY. We looked at the pictures we took today over some pretty delicious pizza, and came to the conclusion that the scenery was just TERRIBLE :). We did a whirlwind tour of Yellowstone today. I had a strange feeling of deja-vu when we walked through the thermal fields and hot springs, and I realized that I had seen them before... in Skyrim (Eastmarch Caldera I think). Maybe the developers looked to Yellowstone for inspiration? Seems possible. Kind of neat when you recognize a place that you've never walked through physically before. We also had an interesting encounter at Fairy Falls, but I'll let Carol tell that story. We finished off our trek by driving through the Teton's National Park. Pretty breathtaking views.

-Phelan

Today was fairly eventful...started out the morning around 7am because we couldn't stand to stay in the tent any more; low was 39 last night and our tent although small enough to keep us warm enough was a little too small for me in the spacial sense. I just like to be able to sit up. We took a hike out to Fairy Falls which was a 2.6 mile hike out and back. When we got there we noticed a climbing rope hanging down about 50ft up from the water, but down the front of the face of the waterfall. Much to our surprise in the middle of taking pics a guy rappelled down the rope to the bottom, and then decided to just drop off the bottom into the pool below the waterfall. Well next thing we know he is going headfirst into the rock face! Thankfully he had a helmet on. Phelan and the other guys in the picture below ran over to make sure he had not passed out. He was ok as far as we know...Phelan had him follow his finger to see if his eyes were responsive and they were. (Although the guy did have one lazy eye which at first Phelan was very concerned about, but he then reassured Phelan that he normally has a lazy eye). The guy then proceeded to hike back up to the top of the falls to warn his buddy not to try it. Scary start to the day.

Phelan really wanted to see a bear today, but no such luck. We did however see several elk, a herd of buffalo, and two moose (mom and baby). Sorry no pics of the moose yet, I will post my pictures from my camera when we have arrived in Mountain View.

- Carol

Just before he fell...

Fairy Falls 

Upper Falls Yellowstone

Tetons

Paint Pots 

Mammoth Hot Springs (not sure what is going on with my face in this)