May 14, 2007: The Yellowstone Castle Erupts

Monday, May 14, 2007

​On Sunday, Mom rented a car, but she was too tired to drive. The Nelsons took us to Red Lodge.

This morning, we took my car to a mechanic and drove the rental. We left Billings by 9:15 a.m., but with one thing and another, we didn’t get to Yellowstone until 1:00. The east gate closes at 8:00, so we were rushed. We saw West Thumb basin, Old Faithful, and the Castle geyser. We were looking at the Castle and suddenly, it erupted. It must have gone on for 45 minutes or more.

At some point while we were driving, one row of bison was walking towards us in the opposite lane. I stopped because I didn’t want them to feel threatened. The bison in the lead kept looking at us as he walked right by the car. It was a little close for comfort. Then a truck passed us on the right and drove past the bison, so I followed him.

Mom has a cold, so we decided not to go to Glacier, but to return to Billings tomorrow.