Visitors in the night
There are four raccoons on my porch. One really, really big one and three not-so-small ones.
There was all this noise on the roof and I was thinking the people above me were being really loud and then I remember there is no room above me.
A little while after that there all these sliding-glass-door sounds and lights coming on so I got up to look out and see what was going on. The man on the balcony next door was saying "Get some water! Spray them! Spray them!" Right after that there's this loud thump and the raccoons jumped over to my porch -- where they still are.
I'm sitting here looking at this raccoon that's as close to the sliding glass door as he can be and looking back at me. His head is as big as mine. I knew raccoons could be big, but this is crazy.
I'd open the door and let them in, because they seem to want to come in, but I'm sure that that would have to be breaking some sort of key wildlife rule to let four raccoons into my hotel room.
Comments
ok girl - good luck! I'll be thinking of you.
Posted by: JanetTheElder | August 7, 2006 08:03 PM
Dianna,
I am so envious of you and the rest of your "hiking team"! You think that the racoons are a surprise? Wait until you have a deer or bear wander by while out on the trail! There are not "sliding" doors on the tent either. :-) I am by no means trying to scare you. Where you are hiking has its inherent dangers, however, they are nothing near those on the streets of Fresno. You and your cameraman be ready for some great photo op's as you leave Happy Isles. Vernal and Nevada Falls are spectacular! I suggest a wide angle lens to get it all in. Pace yourself and drink lots of fluids. You have quite a "climb" to get up to Little Yosemite Valley.
Best of luck! I will be following the blog.
Posted by: John Boylan | August 7, 2006 09:55 PM
Key wildlife rule? Nah, I'm sure they're very nice racoons-- though they'd probably keep you up all night with their crazy stories.
Posted by: ScottM | August 8, 2006 08:08 AM
Don't feed the animals, my dear. No matter how much they remind you of Mac.
Posted by: HMAC | August 8, 2006 09:02 AM
Yea don't worry much about the small critters, it's the bears that can do damage.
Don't leave anything as much as a candy wrapper in your car unless you want it opened up like a sardine can.
It would also be wise to put your food in a bear container, or hang it over a tree limb (very high) out of reach.
Posted by: Rich | August 8, 2006 12:16 PM
Diana-
Give a "coon" an inch and before you know it they'll be taking over the entire hike, photography and all. I'm sure ALL of your readers are very glad you didn't let them in the hotel room to watch Animal Planet with you.
Posted by: Das Standridge | August 8, 2006 03:00 PM
I've hiked the entire JMT in pieces with my mother and have priceless, memories. It's so addicting. You're going to places only a very small percent of our population will ever see. I'm going to enjoy following this trip with all of you.
Posted by: jeannie | August 8, 2006 04:18 PM
A great bloq start to what I believe will be one of many exciting and surprising bloq entries over the course of this assignment! I tip my hat to the Bee and these courageous and adventurous reporters for taking on such a worthy project. There are so many from all over the world who travel here yearly to visit these parks or to hike the JMT, yet I am always surprised by the large number of Valley residents who know little or nothing of John Muir, the efforts he and others made to protect these areas and natural wonder and beauty we are so fortunate to have in our backyard. I look forward to following your daily activities and encounters with much anticipation. Thank you!
Posted by: Michael | August 9, 2006 07:47 AM
Traveling 6.7 miles on the first day, green backpackers, I'd say that's pretty good.
Posted by: Dudley Robertson | August 9, 2006 06:16 PM