Scree - September 30, 2010
Black bears are breaking into vehicles (actually trucks for some reason) at Rainbow Falls Trailhead in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
"Bears that become food conditioned associate cars, tents and trash cans with food, so they can become bold and may try and break into cars," Gray (park spokeswoman) said. "But you can prevent it, and it's best not to keep food in your vehicle at the trail head."
Of course the Park does not have bear boxes to help secure food and other odorous items. Tent campers staying in one of the Park's campgrounds have traditionally stored their food in their cars. I am not sure what they are to do. What is even worse is if the camper decides to hike the Rainbow Falls Trail.
'Hey, Mister Ranger, sir, got any pic-a-nik baskets for me today???'
Hmm, I guess the right answer is to buy food one day at a time; but even that could be difficult.
Another story from Knox News...
Okay these two guys were fired from Tiger Haven in Roane County, TN. So they started drinking and then decided to run naked through Tiger Haven. They were arrested.
A deckhand once told my dear friend and mentor, Captain Poe, "I don't know Captain, they pay me dumb wages and I do dumb things."
There is a proposed cigarette ban in New York.
"They have already been chased out of bars, offices and restaurants. Now, the city wants to ban smokers from outdoor public spaces like parks and beaches. The ban would affect some of the most crowded pedestrian spaces in the world, like Times Square."
It might be difficult to enforce the law; but the lawmakers are depending on the public to put pressure on the smokers. We'll see.
(NPR)
Drivers beware of deer in the roads.
Mike Browning, spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Safety says:
"Dawn and dusk are when motorists should be particular careful. Officials advise:
-Slow down immediately when you spot a deer. Proceed slowly until you are past the point where deer have crossed.
-Don’t swerve to avoid a deer. Stay in your lane. Swerving can result in a more serious crash with oncoming traffic.
-In the event of a crash, keep both hands on the wheel and brake down steadily.
-Report any deer collision, even if the damage is minor."
The key to avoiding deer is to be watchful of the critters and to slow down.
