Just a few more short notes from yesterday...

Bicycle season has begun. Passed at least three folks on cross-country cycles on the highways yesterday. They should be glad they're not in this country today.

And for John, I also passed Corky's truck on the road yesterday pm. It and another truck were parked along side the road in the usual driver-to-driver position. Not too far from where the white truck spent the winter.

Networking, western style.

Early in my tenure here I went on a ride through the country with a relatively new warden. Basically, it was a "get acquainted" tour.

The human population and economy were booming then, and he started the trip out bitching about a couple antelope that had recently been shot and wasted (i.e. poached, as this was mid-summer), and about the type of degenerate, worthless scum who would do such a thing.

As we got back to the highway after an otherwise pleasant day in the field, he swerved towards a rattlesnake on the asphalt. Turns out it was already smooshed and dead. He expressed his hatred of rattlers, and how he went out of his way to kill them whenever possible.

I pointed out that I also always stop for rattlesnakes on the highway, but that I scoop them up with a shovel and carry them across to where they want to be.

He was stunned, like he had just found an alien in his truck.

Then I asked what the difference was between people who kill snakes for the fun of it and folks who waste antelope for fun, other than the economic value of the animal.

He had no answer, and it was quiet the rest of the way to town.

The point of this story?

I found out at the meeting yesterday that he was promoted to one of the #2 boss jobs in our outfit, leaping over two intermediate supervisor levels. Monday they're his bosses, but on Tuesday he's theirs. Most folks are happy with the promotion.

It's been a long time. I'd like to know how he feels about rattlesnakes now.