We've been so wrapped up in the Great American Eclipse that we completely forgot to upload our photos from our road trip to Thermopolis on Friday, August 18, 2017. Our friends, Jane and Kim, were making their way to Dubois to join us for the eclipse and they planned a stopover in Thermopolis to take advantage of Wyoming's Hot Springs State Park. They invited us to join them for a hot time! Can you say, "road trip"?
The healing waters of Thermpolis’ mineral springs have attracted dinosaurs, prehistoric migratory people, Native American tribes, Western settlers, and travelers like us. Native Americans believed the water contained therapeutic power. The Shoshone and Arapaho tribes gave Wyoming the hot springs in a treaty in 1896, with the provision it remain accessible to the general public without charge. You can visit the State Bath House in Hot Springs State Park free of charge. There is a catch - they limit you to a 20 minute soak. Let the soaking begin!
The State Bath House has both an indoor and outdoor pool. You have to choose where to spend your 20 minutes. We chose outside because it gave us some nice views of the mineral terraces.
After our soak, we took a stroll around the mineral springs. Here is our boardwalk selfie!
At the center of all the activities in Hot Springs State Park is the Big Spring. The turquois and green mineral laden spring issues 3.6 million gallons of water per day at a scorching 127 degrees. The water contains at least 27 different minerals and feeds all the attractions within the park.
Native Americans believed the water contained therapeutic power. In the early 19th century a sizeable medical community formed in Thermopolis, centered around the hot springs and treating those visiting in hopes the water would restore their health.
This suspension bridge offers a bit of a thrill as it sways as you walk over the Bighorn River. Originally built in 1916 to connect the Big Spring with the smaller Fremont Spring and a sanatorium, it was condemned in the 1980’s and restored in the 1990’s. The footbridge provides a great vantage point for viewing the river and terraces.
The waters from the hot spring slowly slide over the edge and into the Bighorn River. This seagull is perched at the end of the infinity pool.
The Rainbow Terraces are created from the minerals of the hot springs water, algae and plankton. Naturally formed, they look like small vibrant waterfalls flowing off into the Bighorn River.
We loved the color of the blue-green pool.
As the water bubbles up, it travels down this small stream toward the terraces. The water in the stream appears a vibrant green thanks to the algae and plankton growing in the hot water.
Wyoming’s state bison herd is located in Hot Springs State Park. We decided to head out into the backcounty to see if we could spot them. We were just about to give up. We turned around to head back to the park entrance, when we notice a small herd coming up a draw. We waited in the Jeep as them passed right by us.
Having finished our tour of Hot Springs State Park, we headed into town for lunch. Kim had already checked out the One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company. For some reason, she thought we might enjoy a local craft brew for lunch. She was right.
After lunch, we decided to tour the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. According to CNN, Thermopolis is home to the "Sixth Best Dinosaur Museum in the World." This museum's standout attraction is a 106-foot Supersaurus. The museum has acquired the most complete archaeopteryx in the world (after the one in Berlin) and boasts skeletons of Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Velociraptor, among others in all sorts of dynamic poses. Can you say, "dinosaur selfie"?
We had a blast visiting Thermopolis with Jane and Kim. Looking forward to seeing them in Dubois for the Great American Solar Eclipse!
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