Arrived late last night, so by the time we were able to get out and about, it was after sunset.
Attempted to see a Grand eruption, without success. The weather wasn't great, as it was overcast without any light from the gibbous moon. As we waited, it got breezy and felt cool, despite the relatively warm temperature. Saw Turban erupting as we got off the bikes, and the next eruption we saw was after an interval of over 30 minutes.
Nothing much happened after that, but by the sixth Turban eruption after the Turban Delay, there was a storm moving in from the west. The lightning was becoming more frequent and we were starting to hear thunder. A quick look at the weather radar showed a system that was probably going to hit us as it passed to the north. So we left.
As it was that Grand finally erupted two Turban intervals later, and we only got a brief sprinkle of showers. (But there was hail in West Yellowstone.)
Had better success today. Got out at Grand for the next eruption, but first got to see an eruption of Uncertain. It was bubbling strongly when I walked up. A few minutes later Sawmill started. I was over by Oval when Uncertain started three minutes later.
After that, we only had to wait two Turban eruption intervals for the next Grand eruption. The 8-1/2min first burst was followed by a second burst. Vent and Turban quit, but restarted within seven minutes.
2023-Aug-01:07:40:31 T2Q
07:40:02 Turban -0m29s
07:40:29 Vent Ovfl -0m02s
07:40:31 Grand B1 --- d=8m35s
07:43:06 Vent 2m35s
07:49:06 P1 8m35s d=0m35s
07:49:41 B2 9m10s d=0m55s
07:50:36 P2 10m05s
07:51:38 V&T Quit 11m07s
07:58:23 V&T Restart 17m52s
ΣB=9m30s ΣD=10m05s
* * * * *
07:06:49 d=3m50s
07:23:17 Int: 16m28s d=3m20s
Turban: 16m45s
After that, it was time for a visit to Geyser Hill. Went around to see the closure of the boardwalk next to Doublet, but first got to see an eruption of Lion start just as I walked up. Seeing the huge hole next to the walkway, and the geyserite rubble farther down on the boardwalk itself, I can understand why the NPS closed it.
It was over an hour later before Beehive finally erupted. Of course the wind was blowing right at the walkway, and a ranger walk showed up after the Indicator started, so the walkway was crowded. Saw the eruption start at the western end, but when the wind shifted, I made a dash through the downpour to get on the other side. From there I did get to see a nice double rainbow low down which extended over half a circle. But then the wind shifted and I had to made a second move.
Later on went out to wait for Grand. No Turban Interval delays, just a long series of Turban eruptions and intervals which showed no promise of a Grand eruption. Then, on the first Turban eruption after the NPS prediction window ended, Grand finally had a One Burst Eruption that lasted less than ten minutes.
2023-Aug-01:16:18:12 T1C
16:17:58 Vent Ovfl -0m14s
16:17:59 Turban -0m13s
16:18:12 Grand B1 --- d=9m36s
16:20:48 Vent 2m36s
16:27:49 P1 9m36s
Vent & Turban continue
ΣD=9m36s
* * * * *
13:49:26 d=4m15s
14:08:23 Int: 18m57s d=4m08s
14:26:59 Int: 18m36s d=3m56s
14:47:07 Int: 20m08s d=3m18s
15:03:18 Int: 16m11s d=3m27s
15:23:31 Int: 20m12s d=3m57s
15:42:27 Int: 18m55s d=3m40s
16:00:27 Int: 18m00s d=3m30s
Turban: 17m31s
It was dark when it was time to head out for the next Grand eruption. The moon was hidden behind solid overcast. But as our wait progressed, the clouds thinned a bit, and there was enough light to see Grand erupt. From the buildup of steam, it was obvious before Turban started that Grand's pool was full. But it took a minute for Grand to finally start. About ten or so seconds before that, there was the sound of what was probably a good sized boop. Unfortunately, the eruption lasted less than nine minutes.
2023-Aug-01:23:11:44 T1C
23:10:43 Turban -1m00s
23:11:44 Grand B1 --- d=8m46s
23:20:30 P1 8m46s
Vent & Turban continue
ΣD=8m46s
* * * * *
22:31:32 d=4m23s
22:51:42 Int: 20m09s d=4m28s
Turban: 19m01s
Around the time we got to Castle on our return, Oblong had started erupting.
