The Lawton Blog. (end of week two back to work)

Two Beavers, six pigs, man with a gun and a herd of elk. What a day at work!

We headed up to Lake Ellsworth to begin some preliminary recon work this morning and a huge elk herd was feasting against I-44 near the City of Lawton sign. A very common sight near daybreak and at sunset. About 20 bulls with massive racks. I never fail to enjoy seeing them and since they are on Fort Sill property they have no worries about being hunted.

So we arrived bright and early at the Apache boat landing to meet our friend from the police department that works the lakes. We launched the fast water boat (their rescue boat) and headed down the creek with him as our Captain. This was the man with a gun. 🙂

We could hear gentle splashes in the water around us as we made our way down the creek. Upon rounding a bend then I saw two beavers, the size of small pigs, rearing up to see who we were then diving under the water. Very impressive and natures version of the combined engineer and construction worker.

We came to the log jam and then debarked to begin a foot trek about a mile down the clogged channel. Nothing but debris piles and beaver dams for the entire mile. They estimate about 200 beavers in this area. I was glad that I was not a tree. And the walk was even worse that the one yesterday in the mud of a sludge lagoon. I made the serious mistake of wearing long johns and much to tight levis's as pants. Constantly climbing over downed trees and having to lift you leg high as you could took it's toll today. I'm sure a glass of wine and a really hot bath is coming up shortly.

Well, we did arrive back at the boat safely and then cruised back to the dock and bid our police friend farewell.

We had to walk several other routes today to find access points for a forthcoming survey to build a new channel. Michael was using our GPS to gather points so we could , back at the office, see where we actually were on the ground. I got about a 1/4 mile ahead of him at one point and I was taking the path of least resistance. A game trail. They make pretty good paths sometimes. Of course, as a former eagle scout, and avid hiker then I am pretty stealthy when in the woods. Too stealthy it seems as I walked almost into a pack of wild pigs. About six with a quick count. The only protection I had was my pig sticker in the picture that I wear across my back. I quickly unsheathed the blade and my skills are great with this knife. Picture Bruce Lee with nun chucks and you have me with my machete.

I backed away ever so quietly and they seemed more interested in rooting in the ground than in me, so thankfully this was a non event.

In the 70's today, hiking, and at the lake. It was a sweet day even though my legs are so tired right now. TGIF.. I really know what that means today.

I think we may have interrupted on of the beavers. It still smelled fresh.