Arrived at the Lodge just as Old Faithful erupted. We were checked in, unloaded and the cabin organized by the time of the next Old Faithful eruption. Right after that, went out to Grand. We knew that Rift had been seen in eruption, and it was still erupting as we arrived. But we also knew that there was a good chance that Bulger and Bulger's Hole would be active, too.
Sawmill started after we'd crossed the bridge, and then we saw Bulger was in eruption, too. It was a major and we hurried over there in time to see water in Bulger's Hole. The pool dropped, then came back and it erupted weakly for about half a minute. It was shortly after that that the Rift eruption ended.
About a half hour later, Bulger had another 5-1/2 minute long major eruption, and once again Bulger's Hole erupted with it. The duration was the same, but this time the eruption was strong, with a height of about three meters (above eye level while I was standing watching it.
During a brief interruption in our wait for Grand, Turban had a long Delay Interval lasting over 33 minutes. That was followed by seven more Turban eruption intervals before we finally got our first One Burst Grand of the year. At first I was going to illuminate the start, but there was still enough light, and a strong wind from the northwest so that the eruption was easily visible, with a distinctly bluish cast.
2025-May-22 : 21:40:46 D7/G1C 21:40:46 B1 --- d=09m48s 21:41:26 Turban 0m40s 21:43:53 Vent 3m07s 21:50:34 P1 9m48s Vent & Turban continue ΣD=09m48s * * * * * 18:40:11 d=04m37s 18:58:48 Int: 18m37s d=03m52s 19:32:03 Int: 33m15s d=05m06s D0 19:49:58 Int: 17m55s d=03m36s D1 20:06:58 Int: 17m00s d=03m26s D2 20:25:59 Int: 19m01s d=03m33s D3 20:43:44 Int: 17m45s d=03m17s D4 21:02:08 Int: 18m24s d=03m25s D5 21:20:55 Int: 18m47s d=03m30s D6 Grand: 19m51s
During that long wait, there were a couple more Bulger eruptions, at half hour intervals, but all Bulger's Hole really did was fill and splash maybe as high as the rim. During one Bulger eruption, there were two such fill episodes. The Bulger stopped erupting and all that was seen were a few splashes.
Also shortly before Grand Castle finally had a major eruption. It was rumbling nicely in the dark as we were untieing our bikes.