Friday, August 13, 2004
Pity to Perfection
08/13/04
We had another 32 degree morning this morning, but the steam coming off the hot pools near camp made it seem warmer. I walked over to investigate our thermal neighbors since I had a few extra minutes before we left camp. It was the same ol' beautiful series of holes in the ground with boiling water pouring out, either dramatically, like a boiling science experiment or subtly, like an overflowing bath tub.
The trail in the park, at least the trails we followed this morning, as opposed to the trail from the west end of the park to Summit Lake, are well-maintained and seem well traveled.
The path in the morning took us past our first glimpse of Shoshone Lake then into Geyser Basin. Geyser Basin is dotted with lots of geothermal curiosities.
The trail itself at one point was warm. It's a little unsettling to think that it's possible to fall through the ground into a boiling pool.
All the geothermal features in the Old Faithful area have an illustration of a boy falling through what seemed to be solid ground, but was really just a thin layer above boiling water to give a clear picture of what could be in store for anyone visiting the area. I just hope the trail doesn't have poaching in mind for me.
The morning contained my foul mood. A walking talk with Spur helped break it up a bit. Songs from my Fun playlist relieved the pressure the monotony of forested trail can have on a troubled mind. The mood finally rinsed away in the warm waters and rock beach along the east shore of Shoshone Lake.
As I reached the rather significant outlet to the huge lake, the Lewis River, four pair of boaters were setting out. I walked across the very wide outlet, the water reaching mid-thigh, and continued to our rendezvous point, only to find it a very short distance from the lake shore and the dark stony beach. I returned to beach, stripped off all my clothes except my shoes and stepped into the lake. The water was exceedingly warm. Soon, I was standing up to my neck, enjoying the occasional small wave as it brought chilly water up to my chin. I stood there for quite a while looking at the bottom of the lake and enjoying the sensation of being in pleasant water.
At eye level, the canoes grew smaller and smaller. I returned to shore and let the air and sun of the gentle, warm afternoon dry me, only to repeat the cycle when I was completely dry. On my second dip, I swam out further than I could stand up, but my shoes were heavy and exhausting, so I returned to standing depth before too long.
By the time I got out the second time, Spur was approaching. Soon Apple Pie was on her way too.
Apple Pie's been feeling bad today, and today's the culmination of a few days of feeling nauseous and not very hungry. I hope it's only temporary. Spur and I have had similar symptoms, but not as bad.
We decided to have dinner lakeside. It was spectacular. The breeze kept the mosquitoes away, the sun kept us warm and Shoshone Lake was easy on the eyes.
I'd been at the lake for nearly two hours, so I was antsy to go. Spur said that they would catch up. I left Apple Pie laid out on her pad and Spur finishing his dinner chores and headed to the gravel pit, our designated campsite for the night. In a quick, sometimes mosquito-filled, walk, I was there.
Before I arrived, I came to a parking area where somebody asked me, assuming I was returning to my car in that lot, how far I had gone in. I couldn't answer him. In the course of his question, I realized the lot had a pit toilet, and became focused on the possibility of a sit-down poop. I said something about a thru-hike and walked on. He had pulled his pickup to the barricade that keeps cars from going any further. I think he had a desire to go further than his car was allowed go, but his life had other plans for him. He had to pay for that new truck for starters.
I'm here at the gravel pit, a work area when needed. My food is hung. Spur and Apple Pie have not yet made it into camp, but I'm not worried. I'm more worried about the traffic noise from the south entrance road keeping me up all night.
I'm happy.
