CHILL OUT

TO SEE OLD FAITHFUL COME ALIVE ON CUE WAS THE CHERRY ON THE CAKE TO A PERFECT HOLIDAY THAT WE’LL REMEMBER FOREVER.

The giant beast stood less than two metres away, staring us down with its angry beady eyes.

The frost of the early morn still sat across the bison’s tangled woolly hide and it wasn’t concealing its annoyance that we had dared enter its territory. Welcome to Yellowstone. Looking to experience something truly unique, my wife and I recently joined a snow mobile tour to explore the lush forests, canyons and untouched wilderness of Yellowstone National Park.

This incredible reserve stretches through three American states delivering more than 9000sq m of natural wonder, river courses, spectacular geysers and hot springs.

For us, there was the added backdrop of an unspoilt winter wonderland with thick powdery snow blanketing every panoramic turn. It was breathtaking. The trip also provided the opportunity to observe wolves, coyotes, bald eagles, moose, elk and herd after herd of big ole bison. We knew we were going to get up close and personal, we just didn’t know it would be THIS close.

Our previously mentioned buffalo buddy was travelling solo – and even though we were “sharing” a roadway, he had obviously taken exception to our presence.

As per the instructions of our wonderful tour guide Tom, we nervously waited at the side of the road, sitting in single formation on our snow mobiles as the bison slowly turned its head left and right, surveying the intruders.

And then he decided to make his point.

Seven hundred angry kilos literally started bouncing on the spot looking to take out the closest enemy snow mobile and we didn’t need a second invitation to hit that accelerator and “get the hell out of Dodge”.

Yes, it got the heart racing, but it was a priceless memory that reinforced just how lucky we were to be a part of this one-of-a-kind winter adventure.

As Australia sweltered through a baking summer heatwave, we endured three days of the mercury hitting -18°C... it was numbing.

But the freezing temperatures guaranteed we virtually had the park to ourselves – making it the perfect holiday that we’ll remember forever.