Lair of the Lake Creature LbNA #26853
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Nov 4, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Cheney |
| County: | Spokane |
| State: | Washington |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | The Fat Lady  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | American Boxer |
| Last found: | Mar 23, 2013 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Nov 4, 2006 |
[[A huge thank-you to intrepid letterboxer Stormcrow, who provided accurate estimates on the distances involved in this box. You're a mensch, Jeff.]
October 31
CHENEY, WA [Reuters] - Government investigators and wildlife biologists are converging on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge today, in response to reports that a park worker found evidence suggesting one local legend--a reptilian lake creature affectionately referred to as “Brutus”--might actually exist. For fifty-plus years, scientists have pooh-poohed sightings of a giant, serpent-like animal in various small lakes on this 16,000-acre nature preserve. Last week, however, volunteer tree cultivator Mike Greenthumb glimpsed what he claims was “a huge head, like a dinosaur” moving away through marsh grass, and he followed the animal as far as he dared before requesting ranger assistance. Subsequent investigations have led even the most skeptical officials to admit that Brutus appears to be real.
Karen Lizardi, a reptile specialist from the Smithsonian, says that apparently the creature has survived all this time by developing an ability to hibernate during frigid Eastern Washington winters. “We still don't know how he does it,” Lizardi says. “It's not like he can use an electric blanket to stay warm.” Adds local bird-watcher Rhiel Bright, “For one thing, there's no power pole out here.”
So far, no one has approached the creature's suspected den, though investigators are fairly sure they have located it. Trackers began the hunt at a restroom area near Study Site #3 (not far from Kepple Lake) and followed faint animal signs southwest down the auto road to the 30-Acre Lake trail. From the trailhead gate, faint foot impressions led perhaps a half mile, past caged trees on the right, past a wide gravelly spot on the trail (where a ponderosa at left sported a sizeable bird house), then on about 200 feet to where, on the left, a gray, fire-killed, topless tree was having a bad hair day. Speculating that the animal lair lies in a hollow under the base of the tree, authorities are watching carefully-but from a distance-as they decide how best to continue their approach.
“This creature's smart,” Lizardi marveled. “Just across the trail and over that low, rocky hill is a small viewing platform, and the den is carefully out of its view, like it was designed to avoid nosy humans.”
Investigators are particularly interested in a series of “extra” track marks that seem to indicate the creature dragged or carried several unknown items into its den. “With no previous studies to draw on,” says Turnbull researcher Byrd Mann, “no one can predict what the animal might have taken with it, what it collected for a cold winter. We really want to learn what this species sees as necessities.” For now, investigators will simply watch the den entrance for signs that Brutus might move aside its rock-and-bark “door” and emerge to say hello to his fans.
October 31
CHENEY, WA [Reuters] - Government investigators and wildlife biologists are converging on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge today, in response to reports that a park worker found evidence suggesting one local legend--a reptilian lake creature affectionately referred to as “Brutus”--might actually exist. For fifty-plus years, scientists have pooh-poohed sightings of a giant, serpent-like animal in various small lakes on this 16,000-acre nature preserve. Last week, however, volunteer tree cultivator Mike Greenthumb glimpsed what he claims was “a huge head, like a dinosaur” moving away through marsh grass, and he followed the animal as far as he dared before requesting ranger assistance. Subsequent investigations have led even the most skeptical officials to admit that Brutus appears to be real.
Karen Lizardi, a reptile specialist from the Smithsonian, says that apparently the creature has survived all this time by developing an ability to hibernate during frigid Eastern Washington winters. “We still don't know how he does it,” Lizardi says. “It's not like he can use an electric blanket to stay warm.” Adds local bird-watcher Rhiel Bright, “For one thing, there's no power pole out here.”
So far, no one has approached the creature's suspected den, though investigators are fairly sure they have located it. Trackers began the hunt at a restroom area near Study Site #3 (not far from Kepple Lake) and followed faint animal signs southwest down the auto road to the 30-Acre Lake trail. From the trailhead gate, faint foot impressions led perhaps a half mile, past caged trees on the right, past a wide gravelly spot on the trail (where a ponderosa at left sported a sizeable bird house), then on about 200 feet to where, on the left, a gray, fire-killed, topless tree was having a bad hair day. Speculating that the animal lair lies in a hollow under the base of the tree, authorities are watching carefully-but from a distance-as they decide how best to continue their approach.
“This creature's smart,” Lizardi marveled. “Just across the trail and over that low, rocky hill is a small viewing platform, and the den is carefully out of its view, like it was designed to avoid nosy humans.”
Investigators are particularly interested in a series of “extra” track marks that seem to indicate the creature dragged or carried several unknown items into its den. “With no previous studies to draw on,” says Turnbull researcher Byrd Mann, “no one can predict what the animal might have taken with it, what it collected for a cold winter. We really want to learn what this species sees as necessities.” For now, investigators will simply watch the den entrance for signs that Brutus might move aside its rock-and-bark “door” and emerge to say hello to his fans.