Lundon

Day 1
Sunday, August 19, 2001

Today we saw three sites. We will only be working in the Firehole River. I took digital photographs as we listened to Bill Hunt. He told us about the site of the hotel built around the late 1880s which was used people traveling through. They used the river to dispose of their waste which is what we will be looking for.

While walking we saw obsidian and pieces of glass.

Everything we find will be returned to the water after documented because the park won’t pay for preservation because no room for artifact. Water keeps artifacts from deteriorating.

Day 2
Monday, August 20, 2001

Today we started our work at the site. We only managed to finish two runs before lunch but by the end of the day we were much quicker. I found a lot of ceramics but none with writing.

After work we saw the Fountain Paint Pots. It was amazing.

Day 3
Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Today went much quicker. I did most of the recording so I could watch the geysers while I stoood in the warm water. But soon I was falling behind in my writing because we were finding so much. Janelle found an entire bottle, Becky found the rim of a pocket watch and M.J. found a spoon. The best thing found was a toy car by David. We also found a lot of writing which was interesting.

Finally, we got to shower! Then we did a little shopping and ate some ice cream. Then Jonelle, Kyle and I walked around Old Faithful and waited for about 20-30 minutes. When it went off we saw mostly steam because we sat downwind but it was still beautiful! The entire place filled with mineral water within a few minutes. The place where the earth was white, Bill told us, is where it was the hottest. Where the earth was red it was the coolest. After the geyser, we walked around to look at all the perfectly clear water. You could see all the caverns deep inside the earth. Because the water was so clear, I could watch the bubbles rise to the top.

Tomorrow we are walking to the Obsidian Cliffs, which I’m really looking forward to. Bill told us that they perform[ed] eye surgery with obsidian flakes because they are so sharp. Obsidian is an igneous rock (from a volcano) which cool[s] so fast they don’t form crystalline structure. Which means it can form a sharper edge than any knife.

Day 4
Wednesday, August 22, 2001

The hike was the hardest hike I have ever been on! It was straight up and down the entire way plus all the fallen trees from the fire were so weak, few could support their own weight. Ann Johnson, the head archaeologist at Yellowstone tried to lead us to the Obsidian Cliffs and the __________ but we never made it to either. No one, including Ann, had been up there since 1998. It was amazing! The only regret I had was wearing shorts!

David Hunt, Lundon and Becky at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Day 5
Thursday, August 26, 2001

Today we worked in the Firehole River and by this time it was more work than pleasure. But I was still able to learn a few more things which was worth the effort.

Afterwards, Janelle and M.J. had to go to the hospital; Janelle for her tooth, M.J. for her collar bone.

While they were at the hospital, the rest of us went to the Grand Canyon Falls. It was the most beautiful thing in the entire trip.

Then a few of us went to the Amphitheater for the bird show.

The Hunter Neil crew arrives at oh-dark-thirty.

Day 6
Friday, August 24, 2001

Today Dennis Aig along with two others came to videotape us for their documentary. I went snorkeling which was wonderful while in the water. Once I stepped out, it was so cold. I loved it though. Being so cold made the rest of the day long and tedious. I was glad this was our last day.

After showers, some of us went to another show but it was about fish. The last night was the longest ever though we had to wake up at 6:00 a.m.

Day 7
Saturday, August 25, 2001

Today we are finally going home! Thank God.