Dragon’s Mouth has a temperature of 170.2°F and is 18X30 feet and is 16 feet deep.

Tower Falls is approximately 1,000 yards upstream from the Yellowstone River, and plunges 132 feet. Its name comes from the rock pinnacles at the top of the falls.

We took time to see Mammoth Hot Springs, different from other thermal areas at Yellowstone National Park. There was two levels with wood walkways to view the inside out caves. In the Mammoth area, the hot, acidic solution dissolves large quantities of limestone on its way up through the rock layers to the hot springs on the surface. When it is exposed to the air some of the carbon dioxide escapes from the solution. Without it the dissolved limestone can’t remain in the solution, so it reforms into a solid mineral. This white, chalky mineral is deposited as the travertine that forms the terraces. Picture could not capture the beauty of this area, you have to see it in person to appreciate it.

Liberty Cap is a towering rock of travertine and is believed to be an extinct thermal feature. Rising 37 feet in the air, this hot spring cone was named in 1871 for its resemblance to the peaked caps worn during the French Revolution. The cone shape formed when the hot spring’s plumbing system had a continuous flow for perhaps hundreds of years. Over that time period, the internal pressure was high enough to push the water to a great height, allowing the mineral deposits to build up.

Jackson Lake Lodge, located within the Grand Teton Park, is known for it fantastic views of the Teton Mountain Range. Most other mountains in the region are at least 50 million years old but the Tetons are less than 10 million and are still rising. Jackson Hole is of the same age and is still sinking.

Dinner at the Lodge was an experience with food that was not upstaged by the scenery. But we did enjoy looking at the mountains from the 60 foot floor to ceiling windows while we ate. How can you not feel special with the food, service and view at this wonderful lodge?

At dinner, this was how the butter was served.

Outside of the 60 foot windows was a huge patio, with seats and flowers, to enjoy the Tetons. It wasn’t a clear night so the view was somewhat covered. It was still amazing.

This was our room for the evening. We enjoyed our after dinner drinks and evening on the balcony that over looked a woodland.

We crossed the Western Continental Divide after leaving this area. The Divide is an imaginary line that sits atop a continuous ridge of mountain summits that divide the continent into two main drainage areas in North America. It runs from northwestern Canada, south along the crests of the Rocky Mountains in the United States, then on into Mexico, where it follows the peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental.