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August 28, 2006

Timewaster

One thing I like to do when there's nothing to do is visit volcano webcams, like the one at Mount St. Helen's in Washington, or the assorted ones in Alaska. There's also a handy page that shows live volcano webcams worldwide. That's where I found my current favorite, the webcam at the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who are clueless as to which way the wind is blowing. You should see 'em scatter when they find out they're downwind from the geyser. I guess scalding hot, sulfurous water would do that to you.

Posted by Rita at August 28, 2006 12:50 PM

Comments

Something about Yellowstone seems to lower people's collective IQ.

I've watched tourists in the park, and I am amazed that more of them don't get killed every year.

Posted by: Craig [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 28, 2006 02:49 PM

I don't think it's just Yellowstone. I've thought the same thing about the floaters on the Buffalo River.

And I'll never forget the time my parents & I were fishing a deep hole on the Buffalo. Some floaters came by, and in a posh Eastern accent one informed us we were fishing in the wrong place. We should cast up on the shoal they'd just crossed, as there were some 'nice trout' there.

We tried to wait until they got out of earshot before we burst into laughter. The Buffalo is way too warm for trout; what they'd directed us towards was a big school of redhorse carp....an almost inedible trash fish.

I'd like to think they were just trying to be helpful, and not just condescending towards us 'ignorant' natives.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 28, 2006 05:22 PM

One of WS's favorite stories about his trip t Yellowstone is about a tourist, that despite all the signs telling people not to put their hands in the water, and to stay on the path at all times, put his hand in the steaming water (on a 90+ degree day) to find out if it was hot. Yep, it was - extremely.

Posted by: bogie at August 30, 2006 03:23 AM