Old Faithful Inn

The Old Faithful Inn is one of the most amazing buildings I've ever toured. It's a stunning architectural accomplishment even by today's standards, but when you think about building it in 1903 it's even more impressive.

The entire structure is made of lodgepole pine trees and though it may seem like a rustic log cabin on the outside, it boasts just enough modern amenities to meet the standards of today's travelers.

We stayed in a cabin a short walk from the Inn and frequented the place often for dining, enjoying the view of Old Faithful from the balcony or people watching in the multi-story lobby with an amazing fireplace.

Here's a view of the lodge from afar. Yep, that's a small geyser in the foreground. They are all over the place in this area making it almost seemed normal. Check out the flags on top of the Inn. That's a deck called the Crow's Nest. Gray wanted so badly to go up there, but it's closed due to structural damage from a past earthquake so it's no longer open to the public (except for a few VIPs we happened to see up there one day, but I'm guessing they were part of the Today Show crew who was there filming).

This is a view looking up from the first floor of the lobby. Each floor of the Inn is open in the middle to overlook the fireplace and there are great benches and wooden card tables all around for hanging out.

This one shows you a bit more perspective in terms of size. 

Every detail of this place was cool, even the radiators in the bathrooms! 

Gray and I pose on our way up to visit the Crow's Nest (only to find a locked gate and a closed sign one more flight of stairs up)

Once again, Gray insisted on taking our picture. This time we were out on the balcony at the Inn playing Old Maid and soaking up a gorgeous afternoon. We may have enjoyed a few ice cream cones as well. What's a vacation without a few sweet treats?