Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-08-01

Returning from our motor trip to
the old home districts Of the Middle
West and buckling down to work
again after months vacation, we
promised ourselves to write not
to exceed two comparatively short
articles Of the various impress
sions we received on a lazy outing
Our first and succeeding articles
were received SO kindly by our readers
that we have stretched them into four
We now aPproach the preparation oil
the fourth and concluding article with
a feeling of helplessness and to some
extent, a feeling of awe.
We have reached the point where
we must attempt some description of
the most outstanding experience Of
the entire trip, our visit to the mar
velous Yellowstone Park, Of Justly
worldwide fame After short two
day visit to this marvel Of marvels
We feel helpless before the task that
confronts us; one might as we'll be
asked to describe the indescribable
to attempt to picture in words, beau
ties beyond the skill Of any artist to
portray ON canvas; to set forth in
cold English impressions that pene-
trate to the innermost recesses of
ones being and Impressions that,
when contemplated, leave one speech
less and standing in awe. But we will
attempt, with the poor powers at our
disposal, to tell of a few Of the pleas
ing experiences that befell us during
our visit to the Yellowstone.
We entered one Friday evening
through the Gardiner entrance in
time to drive on to Mammoth Hot
Springs and to put up there for the
night. Early the next morning we
started on a sightseeing trip that
will never be forgotten during our
lifetime, a short two-day trip that
took us, we were told, past most of
the really worthwhile features Of the
park.
To me the Mammoth Hot Springs
were intensely interesting. In our
study Of mining conditions in Libby
we had read and had been told how
nature forms rocks in the days of
creation and how the minerals-the
lead, silver and gold--had been de-
posted in the rocks. The explanation
was that rock formations were often
built up while the material was in So
luton or liquid form, due to great
heat, and that the mineral had been
deposited among the rock formations
while in this liquid form. The sight
at the Mammoth Hot Springs pic {
tured to me nature actually at work
building up and making rock.
The hot water, bubbling up from I
deep in the earth where there is still I
intense heat, carries with it lime in
solution. Reaching the surface and
cooling, the lime is de-
posted and through the ages it has I.
built up a mound or small mountain
Of rock, several hundred feet high
Of grayish color, formed in terraces
and down which the boiling hot wat
n rushes. Twigs, sticks and various
articles dropping into the water are
ancrusted with a coating Of mineral
within few hours. AS the water
spreads out away from the springs
he edges of the pools are outlined
With little ridges of limerick con-
itantly being formed. The terraces
lown which the water cascades are
marked with beautiful reds, pinks,
fellows and green's. due to minute
,lant Tor algae) that grows in the
water. The water, while not actually
polling, gives off steam and is very
lot.
Leaving the Hot Springs a drive
# about 20 miles, through beauti-
ully wooded and mountainous coun-
ry. brought US to the Norris Geyser
Basin. We passed through the
Golden Gate and the Silver Gate, mar
'ow chasm-like formations whore the
'iohwav passes between cliffs of I