One really Faithful Geyser, this

Old Faithful Geyser of California is a hot water spring in Napa. This area, which is prone to volcanic activity spurts water up to a height of 60-100 feet....
Old Faithful Geyser of California
Old Faithful Geyser of California

Napa is almost synonymous with wine. Step into Napa Valley and you are sure to lose count of the number of vineyards and wineries you will see. It had been a while since I had been to California’s wine country and it was beckoning to me but as I was going through a wine-forbidden period, I wondered what it had in store for a teetotaller. I did some ‘looking up’ and found that it had several hiking and biking trails, and art museums, it had hot air balloon rides and cooking classes. What attracted me this time were some geographical features. I’ve had a fascination for them ever since I can remember and guess what — I had just learned there was a geyser called Old Faithful Geyser at the northern end of Napa Valley. And then, there was no stopping me.

Soon we were on the road to Napa, again. This time there was no stopping for wine, obviously. Scores of wineries we did pass as we drove into Napa City limits, and passed Yountville and St. Helena. We headed up north to Calistoga, turned onto Tubbs and then turned into Old Faithful Geyser of California.

As we picked up our tickets-cum-postcards at the gift shop and made our way outside to the geyser area, we wondered if we should witness the water spurt first and then have lunch or do it the other way round. It was long past lunchtime and it was nice to see that the picnic tables that the official site of the geyser promised, were placed around the area that looked like the mouth of the geyser. So we decided to pick a table, take the food out and wait for the natural wonder.

Just as we were settling down to our long overdue mid-day meal, there was steam signaling that the hot water was almost here. Before the end of the minute, water shot into the air and seemed to get higher and higher bringing more steam with it. The curious onlookers in the picnic area seemed to be mesmerized by what they were seeing. So was I.

Old Faithful Geyser of California

After what seemed like 4-5 minutes, the height of the erupting water seemed to diminish till it was a small little fountain and then there was absolute quiet. The visitors seemed to go back to their lunch, and previewing the pictures they had just taken.

And we settled down to eat the burritos and tacos we’d picked up on the way. We were only halfway through lunch when the geyser’s mouth started letting out steam again. And then natural hot water gushed out again and this seemed to happen every 5 or 6 or 7 minutes. I was surprised by the frequency* of it. My pre-trip reading had told me the phenomenon occurred every 30 to 45 minutes at Old Faithful Geyser of California. I swear, I read that at four different places, including the official site.

*(Make sure to check the site before you go to see what the latest durations are, for it was a different story during our next visit there.)

Old Faithful Geyser of California

Who’s complaining? The more the eruption, the better. I had the rest of my lunch watching natural fountains of hot water making grand appearances every few minutes. Each time the height of the natural water display varied a bit but again, who’s complaining? It was a great show. Good Old Faithful Geyser (of California)! I got to take loads of pictures too.

Now if you don’t remember what a geyser is from those Geography classes back in school, worry not. A geyser is a hot water spring that shoots out several gallons of hot water into the air through some vents on the surface of the earth. Geysers are normally found in places that are prone to volcanic activity. Here’s how it works: surface water flows down into the depths, comes in contact with magma and hot rocks surrounding it, gets heated, and the pressure in there makes it work its way up through the vents and spurt several feet up into the air.

According to the experts, the Old Faithful Geyser here in Calistoga, California forces water up to a height of 60-100 feet in the air.

 
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Dee (Divya) Blogger, Freelance Content Writer & Content Strategist. 📸 Loves tripping.🛣 Tipsy from every TRIP!😬🫣 🏞Follow > for intoxicating virtual trips!🥂😉
33 Comments on this post.
  • magiceye
    4 June 2015 at 1:16 am
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    Cool captures of an incredible phenomenon

    • dNambiar
      4 June 2015 at 3:18 pm
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      Thank you Magic eye.
      I love going to places like this. There's more coming up. 🙂

  • Somali K Chakrabarti
    4 June 2015 at 2:33 am
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    The hot water geyser springing from middle of the lake is fascinating. Thanks for the refresher on geysers. 🙂

    • dNambiar
      4 June 2015 at 3:20 pm
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      I believe the water around the geyser is the water that's erupted. Fascinating indeed. I was surprised by the frequency of the spurts. Faithful indeed. 😀
      Thank YOU, Somali. 🙂

  • Mridula
    4 June 2015 at 5:40 am
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    What a trip with no stopping for wine but I too won't complain if I got to see a geyser!

    • dNambiar
      4 June 2015 at 3:22 pm
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      I was pregnant with my second when we did this trip. This post has been lying in my drafts for over a year now. 😉
      I'd have preferred the wine AND the geyser. 😉

      Thank you for stopping by, Mridula. 🙂

  • Shweta Dave
    4 June 2015 at 1:10 pm
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    I captured a very similar one on my trip to Iceland 🙂 its fascinating isn't it 🙂

    • dNambiar
      4 June 2015 at 3:26 pm
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      Fascinating it is. I look forward to seeing the Iceland you saw. Coming by soon, Shweta. 🙂

  • wanderingjatin.com
    4 June 2015 at 3:30 pm
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    Sahi timing I think! nice clicks, thanks for sharing D 🙂

    • dNambiar
      5 June 2015 at 7:53 pm
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      There were too many eruptions. And that meant lots of water, lots of that sight and lots of photo ops. 🙂
      You're welcome, Jatin. 🙂

  • Rajesh
    4 June 2015 at 5:07 pm
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    Great to know about this place. Wonderful images.

    • dNambiar
      5 June 2015 at 7:55 pm
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      This place doesn't come up in a lot of searches, unfortunately.
      The next time you make a trip to the Bay area, you could drive up, and see it for yourself. 🙂

      Thank you, Rajesh.

  • rupam sarma
    5 June 2015 at 3:14 am
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    Amazing photos, Thanks for sharing

    • dNambiar
      5 June 2015 at 7:56 pm
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      Thank you, Rupam.
      And welcome. 🙂

  • R Niranjan Das
    5 June 2015 at 8:39 am
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    Interesting place. Those geysers look beautiful. Nice write up, Nambiare!

    • dNambiar
      5 June 2015 at 8:06 pm
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      Isn't it? It was nice to see these things OUT of the geography books. 😀
      Thank you, Nomad. 🙂

  • Rachna
    6 June 2015 at 4:43 am
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    Yes, this geyser, I love.

    • dNambiar
      22 June 2015 at 2:26 pm
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      🙂
      I remember you mentioned your trip when I put up a pic on fb.

      This one's been in the drafts for too long. 😐 🙂

  • Alok singhal
    6 June 2015 at 11:30 am
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    This is sort of post i love, because i love to travel to such places. I have heard about Napa valley a lot, maybe sometime will plan to visit, if we can.
    Just makes me wonder, if there could a volcanic eruption there someday?

    • dNambiar
      22 June 2015 at 2:29 pm
      Leave a Reply

      Please do. And let's try to meet. I'd love to see you Singhals. 🙂

      Why not. These parts are active, as far as volcanoes are concerned. It is the Pacific Ring of Fire, after all. 🙂

  • Saru Singhal
    9 June 2015 at 1:10 pm
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    Even I have a thing for natural things. I don't drink, so wineries are not something for me. Hot air balloon ride and this geyser goes into the itinerary of Napa Valley.

    Beautiful shots.

    • dNambiar
      22 June 2015 at 2:32 pm
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      Nice to hear that you've made a note of it. 🙂
      We'll have to meet, ok.
      I'm usually there for the wine. I'm glad for the time when I was not supposed to have wine, that made me look up other things that could be done around there. 🙂

  • Indrani
    22 June 2015 at 4:51 pm
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    Wow! This is interesting. Terrific captures too.

    • dNambiar
      24 June 2015 at 1:26 am
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      It was interesting. And the timing was surprising.
      Thank you, Indrani. 🙂

  • umashankar
    29 June 2015 at 10:03 am
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    The geyser at Napa was nicely introduced as you skirted past the wineries. Do the eruptions symbolize the toasts to your travelling spirit?

  • umashankar
    29 June 2015 at 10:03 am
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    The geyser at Napa was nicely introduced as you skirted past the wineries. Do the eruptions symbolize the toasts to your travelling spirit?

    • dNambiar
      2 July 2015 at 4:06 am
      Leave a Reply

      Thank you, USP.
      Haha! I wish! 🙂
      I hope you are doing well, USP.

  • Kokila Gupta
    1 July 2015 at 5:15 am
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    What a wonderful experience it must have been !! Glad you shot such amazing pics and shared dear .. The info and the pics are awesome 🙂 Yes before this post I too related Napa valley with wines and vineyards courtesy those small cute table calendars 😀 😀

    • dNambiar
      2 July 2015 at 4:09 am
      Leave a Reply

      It's funny — this place place doesn't look as popular as it should be.
      I'm I glad I found some info and drew me there. It was fascinating.

      Thanks a ton, Kokila. Tis always nice to hear from you.

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