Calistoga, California
In a world of modern plumbing, it's hell being a geyser. Travelers of past centuries stood and watched, agog, as heated water blasted heavenward from rocky fissures. It was a true mystery. Today you get the same effect from a broken fire hydrant or the fountain show at the Bellagio.
With a geyser, it's important to keep in mind that the phenomenon is not manipulated by Man: it's an underground river encountering hot magma deep in the earth and squirting for its own amusement -- not your vacation convenience. Three geothermal geysers in the world are predictable, erupting as if set on clocks, and are called Old Faithfuls.
Historically, California's Old Faithful erupts every 45 minutes -- at least since it was fenced off years ago and offered back to the admission-paying public. An impressive entrance gate and ample parking suggests California's Old Faithful is a popular Napa Valley attraction, a stop on a day trip that might include a one of several hundred local wineries and the nearby Petrified Forest.
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