Beehive Geyser

One of the most awesome geysers in the Old Faithful area, Beehive powers a narrow stream of superheated water 150-200 feet into the air. The steam blasting out buzzes like a swarm of demonic bees. For those who appreciate the full immersion experience, Beehive's spray often wafts over the boardwalk. With just a light breeze, it is possible for an enthusiast to become completely soaked in warm sulphur water.

Beehive erupted on a regular 24 hour cycle the summer I worked at Old Faithful. Most of my free mornings involved a circuit of Geyser Hill and the spectacular show known as Beehive.

Aveline

Yellowstone geysers

My NaNo novel is a romance set in Yellowstone National Park. In honor of reaching the novel's half way point, (33,727 words!) I thought I'd post geyser photos this week.

This is Pink Cone. According to my out-of-date "The Geysers of Yellowstone (T. Scott Bryan, 1995), it plays for 2 to 2.5 hours every 16 or so hours. The summer I worked in Yellowstone, I never waited for this geyser, but it was erupting almost every time I drove the loop road past Great Fountain.

It's a spiffy little geyser - about 30 feet straight up. It lacks the sheer volume and power of the large cone-types, like Castle and Old Faithful and Beehive. But, it is always a joy to see.

Aveline

Google Earth

I LOVE Google Earth. The romance I'm writing this month is set in Yellowstone. I couldn't remember the precise relationship between the main Old Faithful area and the NPS housing compound. I pulled up Google Earth, typed in "Old Faithful" and there it is. The paths are clear. The buildings are sharp. That's the dorm where I lived. There are the cabins I prefer as a visitor. There are my favorite hot springs, gorgeous and intense even from space.

Robo-phone advertising and endless automated menus may be annoying. Google Earth is a shining example of the good and amazing power of technology.

Aveline

NaNoWriMo

It's November - time to write a Novel in a Month. National Novel Writing Month. Chalk Cliff Treasure, my middle-reader adventure story, was a novel-in-a-month in 2007. This year, I'm writing a contemporary romance. Last year, I was editing Treasure so waited until January to work on my historic romance.

Sometime this week, after writing 2,000 words a day on the new romance and after editing Treasure, I'll add some Yellowstone stories and photos to this blog.

Aveline