We woke up at the sound of the alarm and sprang to action.

There was no one around. The only sound was from our struggle with the thick snow underneath. Our plan was to explore the other “geysers” close to the Old Faithful Geyser. We wanted to get there before the sun made it above the horizon and we had already scouted the (only) way the afternoon before.

The air was cold and crisp, but I felt my perspiration as we turned around the corner of the Old Faithful Visitor Center. I paused and looked out to the trail that stretches from our feet.

Boy, was I happy I did. Through the vague dawn air, I saw something on the only piece of ground that’s not frozen or covered in snow. Within a stone’s throw, there were bison sleeping. Although mild-looking, an animal that weighs up to one ton can move at a fast speed, too fast for us to escape the impact. Let alone there’s multiples of such odds of impact. Our internal debate ended quickly.

Thanks to these bison, we stuck around the area and got to experience a different Old Faithful Geyser than anticipated.

As the world is fighting COVID-19, I can’t help but wonder how long nature has being crying/yelling at us before it gave us such a blow that finally got our attention.