Things heated up for us in Yellowstone today. First we visited the Mammoth area and saw Minerva Spring (pictured above) among others. The delicate travertine formations were created by hot spring waters. Heated by the volcano below Yellowstone Park, water travels through buried limestone and bubbles up to the surface to deposit travertine.

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Some of the scenes around the Mammoth Hot Springs area have a surreal appearance. The minerals and heat of the springs have killed the trees and conspired with the mineral deposits of the springs to create an image reminiscent of a winter snow scene.

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Mammoth Hot Springs

Heat-dwelling algae and bacteria grow abundantly in Orange Spring Mound water, creating a colorful display.

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Orange Spring Mound

Plant materials which fall into the hot springs are covered with mineral deposits to create beautiful displays.

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At 27-feet deep, Emerald Spring is lined with yellow sulfur deposits. The yellow color from the sulfur combines with the reflected blue light from the sky to make this hot spring appear emerald green.

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Emerald Spring

The Yellowstone River plummets more than 500 feet to create the raging waterfalls that enter the 1000 ft-deep Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. More than 4000 feet wide at the top, the canyon snakes for 20 miles and is one of the most striking views of the park.

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Yellowstone Falls

Temperature today ranged from the lower 40's to the lower 50's. This morning's forecast called for rain all day, but as you can see from the photos, we had beautiful blue skies most of the day. Tomorrow we're back in the park and spend the night at the Yellowstone Lake Lodge Cabins, which means no telephone, no television, and no internet!