GEYSER DOG
Sonya, the World Heritage Pointer, Explores Yellowstone National Park

Episode 1: A Steamy Winter Wonderland
by Rose Muenker

World Heritage Site: Yellowstone National Park
State: Wyoming
Country: United States of America
Continent: North America
Year it became a World Heritage Site: 1979
Maps: Yellowstone National Park Location in Wyoming and the United States

Episodes: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3

"Woof! Woof!" Sonya cheered as Old Faithful shot a huge jet of water sky high. Shimmering like diamonds, droplets of water fell to the ground.

Sonya jumped up and down with excitement. "So this is what geysers do!" For four fascinating minutes, Old Faithful spewed water into the sky. Everyone around her applauded with "oohs" and "ahs."

When the eruption stopped, a ranger told the crowd, "Old Faithful is one of several hundred geysers here. It's the most popular because it erupts about every hour or so."

"And it's awesome," a man exclaimed. "Look how high the water soars!"

"You'll see lots of other beautiful sights in the park because Yellowstone is a volcano. In addition to geysers, there are mud pots, hot springs and fumaroles."

Sonya had always wanted to explore the magical world of Yellowstone National Park. Winter was an especially wonderful time to visit. Covered with snow, the park looked like a fairyland.

She followed a boardwalk from Old Faithful into a valley filled with smaller geysers and hot springs. Some of them gurgled. Others hissed or rumbled. And one spurted water the moment she walked by.

"You could have warned me," she barked at the geyser as she shook off water drops.

Even in winter, green grass grew around the edges of the hot springs. Some elk were eating the tasty grass.

The winter chill nipped at her paws, her ears and even the tip of her tail. "B-r-r, it's cold!"

Sonya inched up to the edge of a hot spring and looked into its clear water. Gold, turquoise and other beautiful colors covered the underwater walls. Warm steam rose above it.

"Ooh, the steam feels good. I think I'll go into the water to warm up."

"Don't go in!" a nearby elk warned her. "The water is so hot it will cook you!"

"You'd become a hot dog," a young elk chuckled.

"Phew! I lost my senses. The cold must be freezing my brain."

"Where are you headed?" the elder elk asked.

"North, on a snow coach."

"Ask around. I've heard there's a place where water from a hot spring flows into a river. The water is cool enough to swim in safely." Then the elk returned to eating his lunch of green grass.

Feeling chilly, Sonya dashed to the Old Faithful Inn. Vacationers have stayed in this grand log building for 100 years.

In the lobby, pillars made of enormous tree trunks rose seven stories high. Sonya headed straight for the huge stone fireplace. She curled on the hearth in front of the crackling fire. Comfy and warm, she dozed in its glow.

When night fell, Sonya dreamed about Old Faithful. But instead of water, it shot twinkling stars into the night sky.

To be continued…
In the next issue, Sonya rides in a snow coach to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and points north.

Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about the sights and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park.

See how many words you know on the Word Match.

Read a non-fiction article about Yellowstone National Park.

GEYSER DOG Sonya, the World Heritage Pointer, Explores Yellowstone National Park Episode 1: A Steamy Winter Wonderland by Rose Muenker

GEYSER DOG
Sonya, the World Heritage Pointer, Explores Yellowstone National Park

Episode 1: A Steamy Winter Wonderland
by Rose Muenker