The Christmas Tree and the Mountain Lion

The Christmas Tree. Well, I should say, trees, Christmas trees.  We cut them down in the Black Hills over the long Thanksgiving weekend. 

The Deadwood Visitor Center
(pictured here in the summer)



I had to go to this building to buy the tree tags.  I am just kicking my self, because the cute, little, old lady who sold me the tags was just a spittin' image of my Grandma Mimi, and I didn't get a picture of her.

Oh, I thought about it, but I thought it would seem funny if I asked, "Excuse me, cute, little, old lady who merely sold me a tree tag, would you mind if I took a picture of you?"  Anyway, I'm kicking myself.  I even called Sis Tarry to tell her about it. She thought I should have gone back to get the picture.  Oh well. . .



While I was getting the tree tag,
the Senator and Patrick went to the top
floor of "Deadwood Dick's"
to visit with the Ambassador,
who was staying in the penthouse suite.
I was not sure who those women were,
in the windows,
and I was not asking. . .
I just wanted to go cut down the trees.



So we headed down the trail, well it was really a road.
It was a bumpy, narrow, slippery ROAD.

We looked high.



We looked low.

 Finally, we found a spot to park the pickup and took a hike into the woods to find the perfect tree, well, trees. We stepped out of the pickup, found a nice trail and started hiking.  Keep in mind this was the day after the 400 hour snowshoeing expedition, so I was ready for anything!

Of course, the handy girl was leading the way.  I was on a mission to find the perfect tree, well, trees.  I had gone about 50 yards up the trail when I looked down and saw THIS:

For those of you in-the-know,
you KNOW this is the footprint of none other than a
MOUNTAIN LION.

YES, This  mountain lion:
(I'm sorry I can't show you the picture, but trust me it's a mountain lion!)


If you don't believe me, below is another picture I snapped.  Oh, I know these are not perfect pictures, but I would say they were pretty good for somebody who was shakin' in her boots!

Kind of scary, huh? 
No, not my photography skills, silly. . .

The Senator and Patrick acted as if it was a daily occurrence, to see mountain lion tracks while out cutting down the family Christmas tree, well, trees. So, staying true to form, we continued on the trail.  While I realized the tracks were not "fresh," just the thought it had been in the area, was cause for alarm on my part.

Oh no, not my boys.  No worries here.
They were hot on the trail for a tree, well, trees.

Before I knew it, Patrick was hauling a tree out of the forest.
Hey, what happened to the handy girl being in charge here?

O.K. I gave up.  We had our tree, well, trees. 
Besides, I wasn't thrilled about being in the forest with
"you-know-who" lurking just around the next corner.

We packed up the pickup and wound our way out of the forest.

Did you notice I included no pictures of the "packing up the pickup" part?  Well, the handy girl tried to take charge, and it didn't really work. Oh well. . .



"That was exciting.  I'm ready for a nap."



It's dark outside right now, so tomorrow I will take a picture of the tree, well, trees, on the front porch of the cottage. 
You're just gonna love it! 
I can hardly wait.



from the range, peace,

kathleen

the handy girl