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GEYSER DOG |
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 Liberty Cap stands 30 feet tall. At one time it was a hot spring. © David Muenker |
"A hot spring built up this tall structure with minerals," the guide explained. "One day the water quit flowing and the minerals hardened into rock."
Back in the snow coach, they rode to Lamar Valley. Wide, snow-covered fields shimmered in the sunlight. In one area, dark dots speckled the snow like pepper.
Sonya's nostrils twitched. She picked up a new scent. It smelled different from anything she knew.
As the snow coach got closer, the dark dots took form. They had big, humped shoulders and four legs with hooves. Their heads were huge, round and covered with thick brown hair. And they had tails that ended in hairy tufts.
"Buffalo!" Sonya jumped with excitement.
"American bison, to be exact," the guide said.
The large beasts plodded through the fields of deep snow. They swayed their heads side to side, pushing the snow away to expose the grass.
"That's how they find food in the wintertime," the guide explained.
 A coyote tells Sonya the secret location of hot spring water safe to swim in. © David Muenker |
A mighty bison stood on the edge of the road. Snow frosted its face. It looked like it was wearing a monster mask. The snow coach slowed to a crawl and then stopped.
"We don't want to make him mad," the guide warned. "His tail is up. That means one of two things - charge or discharge." Everyone chuckled.
"It sounds funny, but I'm serious," he added.
"Look! The buffalo is pooping!" a boy shouted.
"Good. That means we're safe," the guide remarked. The snow coach passed the bison slowly.
On the ride back through Lamar Valley, they saw hundreds of buffalo and thousands of elk grazing in the frigid fields.
"B-r-r, I'm thankful I'm riding in this warm snow coach," Sonya barked.
 In a state of total bliss, Sonya soaks in a steaming manmade pool in Gardner River. © Ravay Snow 2005 |
"You look just like the coyote I met yesterday at the canyon!" she exclaimed.
"I'm his cousin," the coyote responded.
"Then you can tell me where there's safe warm water around here, right?"
"Well, we like to keep it a secret. But if my cousin told you to ask me, I guess it's okay to tell you."
"He did! He really did!" Sonya insisted as she jumped up and down.
"Come here. I'll whisper the directions to you." Sonya listened carefully.
"Thanks!" She spun around and dashed to Gardner River.
In the late afternoon light, she saw steam rising above a spot along the riverbank. Half a dozen people were soaking in a pool formed by a wall they had built with stones. Hot water seeped into it from an underground spring. Ice cold river water flowed through an opening in the rock wall. The hot and cold water blended together into soothing warm water.
"Ah," Sonya panted as she immersed herself in the manmade pool. She had finally found hot spring water safe to swim in. Ghost trees stood on the riverbank. Shiny snow blanketed the fields.
"Ooh," she sighed with pleasure. While she soaked in the warm water, she watched the first stars appear in the night sky. What a magical winter wonderland!
Note: This story is fiction based on fact.
Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about the sights and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park.
See how many words you know in the Word Match game.
Read a non-fiction article about Yellowstone National Park.
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Photographs ©2005-2010 David Muenker. Text ©2005-2010 Rose Muenker. Illustrations ©2005-2010 Ravay Snow Any use without express written permission is illegal and punishable by law. All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Josh Bergman. |
