Geyser Notes

This morning Grand erupted just as the sunshine was starting to clear the hillside. So the tops of the water jets were in the sun, at least when there was enough breeze to push the steam away.

During the eruption I also noticed a lot of steam downbasin in the vicinity of Giant. Was just a trick of the cold morning, because a later check showed no evidence of anything, and Grotto wasn't even erupting.

For the day's second Grand eruption, it took advantage of erupting before West Triplet instead of waiting for the next window after an eruption. And it was a nice, straightforward start with only 21 seconds from Vent overflow to Grand start.

The Sawmill Group continues to have some interesting activity. Before the Grand eruption I got to see an eruption of Uncertain Geyser from the start. After Grand, I noticed that Oval Spring was having a mid-level pool eruption while Sawmill Geyser was active. There were a couple of half-meter high boils before it dropped.I waited for a possible second attempt, but Sawmill quit and the water level immediately began to drop.

I had just finished getting dressed for an evening of waiting for a Grand-by-moonlight eruption when I heard the call that Beehive's Indicator had begun. Perfect timing, as I was able to go over and see the eruption, then head out to Grand. Beehive started just as the sun dropped behind some clouds that were moving in from behind the ridge.

Those clouds thickened as the evening progressed until we reached the point where the moon disappeared. But I'd checked the infrared satellite map, and it showed that the clouds were probably nothing more that the remnant of thunderstorms out of Idaho, and they'd clear soon. In the meantime, Penta had a steamphase eruption, which got the attention of some of the folks waiting for Grand.

A few minutes later, I remarked that that Penta eruption sure was loud, but the eruption was over. That's when the call came over the radios; Giantess was in eruption. That cleared the benches out. I decided to stay put because I wanted my moonlight Grand, and this might be my only chance. So I got to easily hear Giantess' steamphase roar from Grand.

Grand rewarded my patience shortly after midnight with one of the taller eruptions I've seen. The dead calm and relative coolness of the night air may have contributed to that. But Vent also seemed to reach a height I've rarely seen. (I say relative coolness as it was still warm enough that after Grand I was still being attacked by mosquitoes.)

Have noticed another way in which the new Visitor Cathedral is an eyesore. As the picture shows, the windows in that cupola standout in relation to all the other buildings and landscape in the vicinity. Wonder what the people who vehemently object to a simple cell tower have to say about this.

As this second picture shows, that building is huge. It makes the Inn look small, and I find that to be obnoxious, and I suspect that may have been the intention. Those silvery waves on the roof draw attention to that size, too.