Traffic in Yellowstone around thermal features was pretty awful when we passed through yesterday and the weather forecast for today is rain mid-morning through afternoon and evening.  If we are going to see even the highlights, we have to get an early start.   Up at 5:45 and a quick cup of coffee gets us out the door by 6:15 and puts us at Old Faithful by 7:30. Enroute we spot elk including a cow and two small calves down for a drink.  We check out the posted next-eruption time.  Perfect, just enough time for a leisurely breakfast at the Inn.  Mike and Tracy’s pictures reminded us how cool the old structure is and we feel the need to check it out.  It’s a buffet with food a bit better than average but the cozy setting makes up for anything it lacks.  We are back out in plenty of time for Old Faithful’s show.  Even against a cloud filled sky it is spectacular.  The weather holds off long enough to walk the entire upper basin boardwalk including catching a Daisy geyser eruption.  We make it back to the geyser hill just in time to see Old Faithful a second time.  It looks more powerful from the view on the top boardwalk!  It is misting and still in the 50’s.  We check out the gift shop.  I must have another Yellowstone medallion, a bison this time.  Plans are to check out Grand Prismatic and the Norris Basin thermal area if the crowds aren’t awful.  No such luck, traffic is spilling out of the parking lots as folks are vulturing for spots.  We head home with a couple detours; The Firehole River Canyon Drive, it is spectacular, then a loop along the Madison River, lovely but no elk or bears on that section of the grassy banks today.  The elk from this morning are still out along 20.  It is definitely a favorite spot for them. We are back in camp sipping hot tea to warm up in the rainy and chilly weather.  It’s a great chance to catch up on the blog and naps!