Not Something You'd Expect to see Hiking Here!

From Fox News.com:

Officials Use Raw Chicken, Camera to Check Out Reports of African Lion in West Virginia Woods

Monday, October 29, 2007

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Using a video camera and raw chicken, state officials hope to learn whether the king of the jungle is prowling the woods of West Virginia.

Bow hunter Jim Shortridge believes he saw a full-grown, male African lion weighing between 250 and 300 pounds at the foot of Cold Knob Mountain earlier this month. The state Division of Natural Resources confirmed that at least one other person has reported seeing the lion.

Using a camera normally employed to catch people dumping trash illegally, the state Department of Environmental Protection has joined with Greenbrier County Animal Control Officer Robert McClung and exotic animal expert Jim Forga to see if they can substantiate the sightings.

Twenty pounds of raw chicken left on the site last week were devoured, but McClung said that doesn't prove the lion's existence.

"Anything could have eaten that," he said.

If officials do spot the lion on videotape, they may set a bear trap for the animal. If caught, it would be turned over to Forga, who runs Tiger Mountain Refuge in Rainelle, a shelter for exotic animals

Looking forward to Church Bike Ride

Looking forward to our planned bike ride to Chief Ladiga Trail in Piedmont, AL on Saturday, 11/10/2007!
See Crestview Outdoor Ministry Expeditions for more info.

Cherokee Ridge - Deadening Trail

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail - Deadening Trail, Tallapoosa County, 10/13/2007, 09:15-13:00
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Conditions: Clear and sunny. Mild temps, low 50's to 70's. Mild to moderate breeze.
Thoughts: Life of Adventure... that's what I thought about on this trail! More challenging than most other trails in this part of state. Took an Audobon Wildflower Guide with me. Stopped lots to ID and photo wildflowers. Butterflies will not pose long enough for their portraits! ID: Yellow Star Grass, Rough Blaze Star, and Hairy Golden Aster. Several others I photo'd and will attempt to ID later. Also scarred up whitetailed doe. Observed Turkey Vulture (3x) fairly close, as well as Blue Jay.
Footing on pine straw is becoming precarious in steep places and I had a steep descent near Lichen Bluff - went down on my behind! Cut left thumb in process. First use of first aid kit on the trail.
Thank YOU, LORD, for this place. Please speak to my spirit. Guide me in YOUR path!

Cherokee Ridge - North Loop and others

Hike: Cherokee Ridge - North Loop, Chimney Rock Loop, Kowliga Bay Loop 10/12/2007, 10:00-13:00
Distance: 5 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions: Dry. Clear, mild, sunny.
Thoughts: Was off this morning in preparation for midnight shift during RB1 outage. Flushed whitetailed doe during hike. Very enjoyable and peaceful hike. Several Fall wildflowers are in bloom! Lots of pics today.

Hiking Between Shifts...

Hike: Mountain Creek, Confederate Memorial Park, 10/06/2007, 09:30-11:30
Conditions: Warm; mostly cloudy to partly cloudy.
Distance: 4.0 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Explored some new fire breaks (read that new trails!). Great time. Thankful to be able to get out some and be refreshed - the fall outage at work is very draining.