I fell into a burning ring of Firehole...

The highlight of my vacation this past summer was definitely swimming in the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park. Contrary to the FREEZING cold snow-melt water we put our feet into in the Little Cottonwood Canyon (SLC, UT), the water was warm and the perfect temperature for swimming. The river is fed by thermal run-off from Old Faithful and other geysers, as well as the snow-melt and ground water. But what makes Firehole a unique aquatic experience is the rock shelves you can walk along (on the sides of the river) to get to the falls. (See below at the people that are "walking on water"...)
Once at the mouth of the canyon, you get to jump into the falls and let the current pull you downstream through the twisty canyon.
It's not for the faint of heart--you can see my tall (over 6') brother barely keeping his head above as he navigates the current out of the mouth of the canyon.
Still, I was proud of Bub & Domba: Domba went down once (w/me & a lifevest), and Bub went down twice (w/me & lifevest). Bub was extra brave jumping right into the falls with me and taking the current most of the way down...
Fortunately, we had lots of helpers in my brothers and sister who grabbed, ferried & generally pack-horsed kids around the water. For most of the time, Shrimp & Domba splashed around at the beach and shallow ledges away from the current.
The beach was really nice, and though not very big, easy to access from the rock ledges. One caution is that you want to wear really tight water-sox or hiking sandals in the water--much of the rock is volcanic and even the beach isn't super soft on the tootsies. The ledges are very slippery with algae and the like and the sandals help navigate the curves of the canyon walls. Beware of the current that likes to suck shoes off of unwary swimmers...
The whole gang: all of my siblings but one (and her hubby) and nieces & nephews came. It was a treat to enjoy the water and incredible views with them and such a help so that Dh and I could take a few spills down the falls too... Thanks for babysitting, Kissy & company!
Where was Mini-Me during our fun & frolic?
Sleeping of course... She did get a few moments in the shallows, but with such a strong current, there wasn't as much for her to do, so taking a nap turned out to be the best activity for her...