01.27.09
Bobcats, Deer and Coyotes, oh my.
Last weekend saw us in Yosemite, hosting Lois’s brother. On the way to picking him up (after the first u-turn…) we saw a Bobcat cross the road and amble into the brush, looking back at us once as if to say “you’re not getting out of your car, don’t even act like you are”. We survived his or her disdain, and with Alvin in tow headed up to Yosemite, I’m not counting the dead boar on the side of the road as wildlife. At Yosemite we saw Coyotes, a grand 6 or 8 prong buck, and 5 other deer, and also a Coyote that was just waiting for us to feed him. Weird to be stared back at, instead of running like we expected, he clearly was waiting for us to feed him. Bad news really, it’s not good for them to be dependent like that, and I just know some idiot tourists have been encouraging them with food.
Anyway, Alvin was the master of ceremonies for tire chain installation/removal for the pass, while I turned the wheels appropriately, feeling rather guilty and/or woose-like.
All in all, it was a good time, if a long day. Drove about 360 miles all told, starting at 6am or so and getting back at 9:30pm. Surprisingly, got about 39mpg, despite rain, snow, and my lead foot.
