Fun Stops between claims

Like I said in yesterday’s post we sometimes manage to have a little fun along the way.

Today we had 2 claims to the south of Seattle and 2 to the southeast. We knew that we would have some time between the first 2 and the second 2 because of insured schedules. It was cold, about 31 degrees F. and overcast.

As we drove down in the morning we were driving south on the highway and passed a sign that said Flaming Geyser State Park ahead. We decided that we’d stop there between the 2 sets of claims if we had time.

We finished our 1st set of claims up quickly and headed for the state park wondering what in the world a Flaming Geyser was. Of course roads were closed on the way so after detour after detour we finally got there.

The Flaming Geyser State Park is an oblong shaped park with one 2-lane road which has a turnaround in the parking area at the north end. The Green River runs along to the left and the park follows the river. This is the same river that runs by the KOA we are staying at. To the right are forested hills.

After parking we first walked straight out to see the river. Straight across to our left was a path which led to picnic tables and then out to the river. This isn’t very far, maybe a couple of hundred feet or so. As we walked out on the path we realized that the path was muddy. The river was running so full it was actually running into the park in front of us. On our way out we drove about 10 mph and it appeared that the river was flowing at 10-15 mph.

We then walked up to a path and found the Flaming Geyser. There is a small pit with a concrete stand pipe about1’ in diameter sticking out of the ground with a hole in the center; the flame is coming out of the concrete pipe’s hole.

We read the posted information and in the 1920’s someone (I forget his name) bore a hole into the ground hitting dirty coal. He then hit methane gas. They lit the gas and it has been burning since. The flame burned about 8’ high at one time but with dynamiting in the area the flame is now down to several inches.

There is a Bubbling Geyser up the trail however the trail is closed due to the recent storms.

We’d just bought coffee before driving to the geyser and were glad for the warmth created when carrying the coffee. I’d left my gloves in the truck because I was carrying two of my cameras and didn’t want the gloves to be in my way. I’d forgotten my down ski parka back at the RV in the morning so only had my jacket, warm but not for freezing weather. We were glad for the truck. After viewing the geyser and hiking around we were hopped back into the truck and turned the heat on full blast. We sat there for awhile just warming up.