Day 52 July 8th Grant Village to Madison Campground, Yellowstone, WY. By Eric and Leisa

Our coldest start at 37 degrees but we got a big coffee at the convience store before leaving.  Climbing started immediately as we crossed the Continenal Divide at 8,391' and then down and up to Craig Pass at  8,261'.  Isa Lake by Craig Pass has the distinction of being the only lake where one tributary goes west and ends up the Gulf of Mexico and one tributary goes east and ends up in the Pacific Ocean.  We cruised on down to the Lodge at Old Faithful.  I have been to Timberline Lodge, Yosemite Lodge, and Grand Canyon lodge to name a few.  They all have unique features.  Old Faithful lodge is no exception. Its feature is the soaring central room.  It is open up to 4 stories.  All the wood is custom picked natural form used to make all the stairs, rails, chairs and features.  In that room is a fireplace that also goes up 4 stories and has a fireplace on all 4 sides. My pictures do not do it justice.  You have to see and feel the wood to appreciate what the architect did.  We explored the lodge and then waited for Old Faithful to do her thing.  I could have stayed at Old Faithful for longer but the road called and every afternoon there is still the threat of thunder showers.  We rode 8 miles further to see Prismatic Geyser.  The pictures show why it has that name.  The color of the water turns blue as the heat cleans all the minerals and bacteria out.  The orange, yellow and green are the organisms that come out.  The mix of hot steam and cold air was a unique feeling as we walked around the geyser.
Madison campground was a short ride along the Firehole river.  We stopped to soak our feet but the river was warmer than we expected.  It has to do with thermal water coming in.  We are now in camp.  No Bugs!!!  Planning on being in Montana, our 9th state by tomorrow midday.