Sparrowman’s Perch

Well, it’s Employees’ Appreciation Week at work. We celebrate this with hikes, golf, walks and feasts. One of these was yesterday’s annual hike up to the Coopers Rock Overlook from Mont Chateau/Cheat Lake. A couple of folks drive up to the top with a van for those who wish to ride back and not hike. I decided and wanted to walk the return trip. The whole trip is estimated to be about 6 or 7 miles.

Here’s a photo of me with most of the hardy return-trip gang. The next photo is of “Haystack Rock” which some of our geologists term a “LFR”—which is a very technical classification that means “Large Frickin’ Rock” or something similar to that. Haystack Rock is actually moving and park officials don’t want anyone climbing on the thing or going around the backside of it. One can still get to it like we did by going on a little trail off to the side of the Overlook.

From there we went to “Rock City” to Rattlesnake Trail (we didn’t see any rattlesnakes but they are there) and eventually to Mont Chateau Trail.

It is a bloody shame that I live so close to this wonderful place and I only go to it probably once a year. I may try to go back in the near future and actually do some camping before it gets too cold.

Links:

Coopers Rock State Forest
Coopers Rock Foundation

Today we had our 5K walk/race during lunch. Just like my previous (July) 5K, I was pathetic. If I were a member of some herd animal group, I would be the weak one that lingered in the back and would eventually get attacked and eaten by a lion, a cheetah or a large carnivorous turtle. Again, for me, the blues song says it best, “I’m built for comfort, not for speed”.  Nevertheless, it was good to get out and do these things. Some here are trying to talk me into an official 5K at Cheat Lake for this weekend. They say it will be a “morale builder”. Yeah, right.

[Okay, the following "advertisement" can be found on many blogs and websites.  I might as well do the same since I actually heard it the other night on late-night radio and I also could be in line to become an actual "client".  I changed the formatting and some punctuation just a bit.  Can you Prairie Home Companion fans see the addition of a preface like "If you’ve tried Powdermilk Biscuits and haven’t gotten results…."? ]

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“My belief is that what comes across on the television is a capture of my enthusiasm and my passion for wildlife.”

“I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.”

- Steve Irwin

I still cannot believe that Steve Irwin is dead.  I remember hearing of this during a newsbreak on late night radio.  I was starting to fall asleep.  I woke up the next morning thinking that the thought was just a dream, but the morning news confirmed the bitter reality.

Many of you already know of the fascination that I have with the guy and his show.  Okay, yes, he was definitely a ham but I believe his enthusiasm for animals did represent a real concern for them.  I didn’t get to see some of the last shows of the Crocodile Hunter since I gave up standard cable some years back.

I’m going to miss some of his catch phrases:
Crikey!
Look at the size of it!
You wouldn’t want to muck with it!
Danger, danger, danger!

I hate to say it but I always wondered what creature would “get” him—not necessarily killing him but injuring him.  It could have been one of the many highly venomous poisonous snakes of Australia or of course, a croc.  A sting ray?  I knew that folks actually could pay to swim with them.  It just shows how we as humans must be mindful of the power of such large creatures when we try to interact with them.

Unfortunately, some folks out there took it upon themselves and sought some sort of revenge for his death by killing and maiming stingrays.  Not long after Steve was killed, authorities found the remnants of about 10 of these animals.  (CNN story) It is a shame that some did not get it about his whole life message of animal conservation!

I watched snippets from various media sources of the memorial service today.  I’m amazed at his little daughter, Bindi.  One, in how big she is, and two, her ability to deliver such wonderful words about her daddy to the 5,000 people.  What saddens me is in seeing this family without Steve.  

I also have a fascination with couples who are active in a common “mission”.  On top of that, the whole family had involvement—however, some more than what should have at particular times.  

Anyhow, he was one of the media personalities that I really did want to meet eventually.  I wish I had about one tenth of his enthusiasm.  With that I’m sure his words will remain true in the years to come:  “There’s one thing I want to be remembered for, it’s my passion and enthusiasm for wildlife.”

Crikey, man.  It’s too damn soon.  “Rest in peace” just does not sound like an appropriate thing to say for someone like Steve Irwin.  My thoughts and prayers go out, big time, for his wife, Terri, and the two young ones, Bindi and Bob.

Animal Planet’s Memorial pages:
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/steve/steve.html

Further information for any who wish to contribute :
http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/

More on the memorial service from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5363342.stm

Crocodile Hunter/Australia Zoo website:
http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/

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