close encounter of the fuzzy kind

[Starbug]

Yep! Couldn't agree more. If we built airplanes strong enough to be certain they would survive a crash, they would never get off the ground.

I do a lot of bicycling, mostly on lightly traveled roads. But, they are narrow so it is necessary to trust that motorists will not destroy me and my ultra-light carbon fiber steed with their two ton missiles. Is it safe? Probably not. But, a wise lady once told me, "Life is full of risks, no matter what you do or where you go." That would be you.

Life is good!

Awww, now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Crash-proof planes would require anti-gravity thrusters to achieve flight/levitation. Perhaps in another 100 years we can do this.... (I'm a scifi nerd...)

[rjt123]

(I'm a scifi nerd...)

Say that loud and proud!

[Gliderguy]

Starbug, Yep, I know where the Milk barn is. We rented a storage unit in North Bend. My Brother in Law works for Microsoft, and lives in Redmond. I drove 202 regularly when we went to visit. I only regret not getting out of town and into the woods more often when I was living there.

Sent from my BNTV250 using Tapatalk 2

[Starbug]

Say that loud and proud!

Lol, don't mind if I do. I'M A SCIFI NERD!!! And sooo proud of it.

[Starbug]

Starbug, Yep, I know where the Milk barn is. We rented a storage unit in North Bend. My Brother in Law works for Microsoft, and lives in Redmond. I drove 202 regularly when we went to visit. I only regret not getting out of town and into the woods more often when I was living there.

Sent from my BNTV250 using Tapatalk 2

I gotta say, 202 sure made for a beautiful and scenic commute. But I don't miss the time spent commuting. Made for one hell of a long day, and my work hours were already long. So glad my new commute is much shorter.

Yeah that's a bummer that you didn't get out into the woods more. If you ever visit again, take your camera. Right now you have the huge moss-covered evergreens mixed in with bright safety-orange and safety-yellow maples that have bright lime green moss hanging off the branches and trunks in stunning visual contrast of colors and textures, and surrounded by silver fog. It's unreal and prehistoric-looking, like something out of a fantasy movie. Words don't do it justice. And then there are the naughty-looking and well endowed trees we've found (hung like bull!), that leave us giggling like immature kids for the next several days..... whatever visual your imagination just cooked up is probably correct. Don't forget to add moss. Lol.

Microsoft is a good place to work for, from what I hear. And judging by the arsenal and amount of ammo a friend of mine has, and how much money he drops every time he visits the local gun shops, the pay is excellent. I don't envy his commute to Redmond from here, however..... already did that, don't ever wanna do it again. Your brother in law is wise to live in Redmond since he works there.

[Bawanna]

I like fantasy movies.

[jocko]

Then fantasy this: Monica Lewinsky knocks on my door and I answer in my boxer shorts and the wife is out of town for a week, and no I don't smoke but I was chewing on a Macanudo at the time... Just sayin

[Tinman507]

OR

[jocko]

thankstinman, I wasnot sure how to spell it..


REMEMBER AMERICA

[Bawanna]

thankstinman, I wasnot sure how to spell it..

Crap I just spit Frito's and water all over my work area. Mr. Dictionary was stumped?

[jocko]

kINDALIKE WHAT mONICA DID--HUH??

[Tinman507]

Either one is acceptable.
the nuts are delicious
the cigars are awesome. but best with a single malt scotch.
But I digress. I no longer can afford a single malt.

I guess to quote a venerable member here (muggsy) and a true American Patriot General Anthony McAuliffe



NUTS!

[AC7880]

I just registered here but have been lurking a while. I am retired USAF and a full time RV traveler, and own a Kahr K9 circa 1999.

We are hosting a wildlife preserve near Patagonia AZ this winter, and also hosted here last winter. Last winter in Nov we saw a Mtn Lion on a wildlife camera, and this year I have seen one in person twice in two days a couple of weeks ago. I got some great pics the first time, from about 30 yards away, using a zoom camera to 40X.

I was not carrying the K9 at the time, but did for one week afterwards as we looked for the cat. We also closed the preserve to the public for one week after the 2nd sighting, which was 20 yards from our motorhome. The cat had stalked 2 deer which is why it was so close, and probably took a fawn as they both hit the woods about 80 yards out.

I grew up in Wenatchee WA and we called these cats Cougars there, but Mountain Lion is the correct term here in AZ. We have a year round creek through the preserve, and lots of deer and javelina for the Mtn Lion to consume - so less dangerous to humans than some other areas in the country.

I have the pics and more details of the 2 encounters on our travel blog at: http://2toomanycats.blogspot.com/ the Oct 27 and Oct 24 posts.

Dan

[Starbug]

Beautiful pics, and I'm glad nobody got hurt with that cat hanging around you guys.

My neighborhood newsflyer arrived today. In it was some repeated warnings to not feed the bears (someone's been doing that??), and that if anyone comes into contact with the cougar DON'T RUN, don't walk away, keep your eyes on it. They said to wave your arms around, yell at it, and throw rocks at it. They actually repeated the "don't run" part several times to make the point.

[AC7880]

Yep, we posted a flier by the entrance to the preserve (visitors center) with instructions if anyone else encounters a Mtn Lion. Don't run, maintain full eye contact, look "big" by rasing arms or opening jackets, dont turn your back, yell loudly and throw items like rocks sticks etc if approached, and fight back if attacked.

There are deer everywhere here with many fawns, and javelina with babies. The cats are not desperate here, so much less likely to attack humans. This cat knew we there but totally ignored us at first, then looked directly at us but with no interest or concern.

When people come to the preserve with kids I do a thorough briefing and warning to the parents before I let them walk. We have 312 acres on the main chunk of land here, with 2.25 miles of main trails. As a host here I also go off trail, and pack the Kahr K9 when I do that. There are 3 other parcels of conservancy land in the local area as well.

In a month or so Coatamundi will come through, bob cats and coyotes are common. Saw a fox on wild life cam last week, and a black bear on wildlife cam 5 Oct.

For now no new signs of the cat, no new tracks even after a rain, and not on our 2 wildlife motion sensor activated cameras.

We plan to stay and volunteer here until 15 Feb this year, then move onward.

Dan
Retired USAF
Kahr K9

Beautiful pics, and I'm glad nobody got hurt with that cat hanging around you guys.

My neighborhood newsflyer arrived today. In it was some repeated warnings to not feed the bears (someone's been doing that??), and that if anyone comes into contact with the cougar DON'T RUN, don't walk away, keep your eyes on it. They said to wave your arms around, yell at it, and throw rocks at it. They actually repeated the "don't run" part several times to make the point.