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Post by Condor on Jul 4, 2010 10:23:48 GMT -5
When it came to viewing wildlife, there were two kinds of people that I noticed in Yellowstone National Park after spending two weeks there. The first were the very nice, very kind people who were willing to share what their experiences with you. The second group were those that were extremely selfish, arrogant, and stingy people who by their demeanor practically tried to run you away from the area they claimed for themselves. At one point we stopped to see some mountain goats at some cliffs. We pulled out our binoculars. There was a couple who had a spotting scope and offered us to see through it. Those scopes are incredible. Even at long distances you can see things really close up. That couple was very nice and told us that they enjoy letting others see what they see through their scope. We ran into other people like that too. At another area there were a group of people observing wolves through their spotting scope. They were very animated and excited as expected while describing the wolves. At no time did they ever acknowledge the few people that were there that did not have scopes. This is even after they'd take breaks from the scopes. When people would ask them questions they would answer in short curt replies. Not once did any of them offer others to see through them. It's as if they did not want us there. Still at another area there were many people gathered and when I asked someone what they were looking for, he answered rather smugly "just a bear." We continued driving, but his reply didn't sit well with me so we drove back and pulled off about a half mile from where where the smug man was. About ten minutes later a grizzly sow with four cubs crossed the road right in front of us. This is only the third time in Yellowstone history that a sow has been observed with four cubs. Mr. Smug knew this, but he was not willing to share. Perhaps more people would scare the bears away. Sadly for him, he was no where around when that happened. In meeting and talking with other Yellowstone regulars, they mentioned how this is truly the case. There are those who will practically give you whatever they have and then there are those who won't even give you the time of day. We plan on going again this time with a good quality spotting scope. And if you are there I guarantee you that you will be allowed to look through it. We will not be the "haves" who act as if the "have nots" are untouchables.
Condor
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jerryde
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 246
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Post by jerryde on Jul 4, 2010 12:09:24 GMT -5
Condor...I know what you are saying is true...I worked in Powell, WY (many years ago) for a year and almost every weekend we would go to Cody, to have drink, dance and have fun...Best ice cold schooners of beer going at the Silver Dollar Bar...
Most tourist visiting Yellowstone...look at the map and figure they can do it in a day, at best two...wrong! lots to see and do even without the traffic... For me the south exit to the Tetons is never ending beauty...I hope you took lots of pictures...
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Post by Toad on Jul 4, 2010 12:20:04 GMT -5
I see this a bit differently. Some people are more social than others. They probably use their scopes as a way to start conversations with people. Whereas other people are shy and/or just want a break from people or civilization - or just want to socialize with their own group for some bonding - nothing wrong with taking care of yourself sometimes.
I'm guessing that scopes are very expensive. I'd be wary of loaning them out to perfect strangers if I owned one. On the flip side, if I showed up at a park, zoo or some other attraction I wouldn't expect someone to loan me their equipment just because I showed up. But then I'm not as outgoing as some, and maybe a bit selfish myself.
Not saying you're wrong, Condor. Just another point of view.
Todd
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,777
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Post by adrian65 on Jul 4, 2010 12:40:45 GMT -5
This was one of the fact which stroke us in our trip in USA: people being more friendly, no matter where they were: in a store, in a rstaurant or in a park. Much more friendly and willing to talk than here in Europe. You won't expect here someone to share such a thing like a spotting scope. So you should focus on the full half of the bottle. Be happy that still there are people like that, it would be impossible all of them to be like that.
Jerry, I agree two days is such a short time. We spent there 3 nights/2 full days and even weren't able to visit the southern part with the Tetons because some darn road works which lead us to big de-tours. Anyway, it was one of the most interesting and impressive places we've been through in our vacation.
Adrian
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 4, 2010 14:49:01 GMT -5
Yeah, Yellowstone takes more than a short trip. I kind of agree with Todd in that I suspect lots of folks go there to commune with nature, not humans. I for one, on my last trip there, where we encountered a bunch of middle eastern tourists, wished if we were forced to commune with humans, they would shower a bit more often. These same folks were also very rude and somewhat unfriendly as compared to the European and Japanese tourists who were really nice folks. It was pretty crowded though and I can see where the sheer amount of humanity present might put the real serious animal watchers off a bit and be a bit stressful for folks who are not people lovers...Mel
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Post by texaswoodie on Jul 4, 2010 18:45:07 GMT -5
Well this might surprise a few folks, seeing as how I'm so outgoing and tolerant. ;D
I guess I may be one of the "smug group". When I'm out doing something like that I pretty much want to be left alone. I do most of my rock hunting by myself and if you do go with me, you better not speak to me until we're through. When I'm rock hunting, there is only me and the rocks.
Curt
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Post by Condor on Jul 4, 2010 19:28:09 GMT -5
I understand what some of you are saying. I like the solitude of the outdoors too and know that some people are shy by nature, but these people were in areas where lots of people are around. What I saw was not shyness of people wanting to experience nature on their own. What I saw were people that were talking and laughing and having a good time. When others came by who did have these scopes, they automatically were accepted into the group. Those who didn't were not very welcome. This was rather cliquish. It's not like they knew each other either as evidenced by all the different license plates from around the country. I'm not complaining. It's just an observation that other people out there noticed also. To be fair, most everyone were quite nice.
Condor
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 4, 2010 19:35:46 GMT -5
haha i hear ya curt when i get fixed on something i don't wanna be messed with ether but if i was looking at something as cool as that in the wild i wouldn't be able to not say hey look at this you gotta see it haha -- hell there usually on tripods so they just have to stand there and turn it -- i was sittin on the rocks in cape-may one day and there was an older gent sittin not far away and we where both fishing for tog many names for them but that's the local name -- it was one of my first few times trying to catch them and he was pulling them in left and right -- me nothing i would watch what he was doing but still no luck -- i forget what he said to me but he started talkin to me and he said want some tips on catching these fish i said sure i can use all the help i can get well after about 2 hrs i had like six fish in my bucket so i was smiling -- i never seen the guy again after that day but what he shared with me stuck and i fished many times in the same spot and always caught fish -- that same day we met i was walking off the jetty and there's a nuns retreat right there on the point and there was a nice little older nun standing at the fence and she said howed ya do today get many and i said all proud yea that gentlemen showed me what i was doin wrong and i got a nice bunch think i had like 8 or 9 by the time i left -- she says to me would you mind sharing a fish or two with the sisters here that have never had fresh fish hrs old that are here on retreat i said sure i don't mind -- I'm thinkin she musta been doin the cookin so i gave her all i had but two that was enough for me mom and dad to get a dinner they where pretty big fish -- i think there's a reason we all met that day -- so I'm all for sharing the cool stuff with others -- but like i said i can get wrapped up in stuff and zone out sometime and don't wanna be bothered but i notice later it bothers me when I'm not out goin i feel like i could have missed something important haha
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 4, 2010 20:37:52 GMT -5
*LOL* Curt, I'm with ya on that! I sort of enjoy the solitary rock hunt. The conversation is witty and intelligent. I win all the political or religious arguments. No arguments over which music is on the CD player or where to eat, where to stop and hunt, bathroom stops etc etc. If'n ya stank a bit after a couple of days in the wild, there's no one to complain. You can break wind when ever ya want and if ya smack your thumb with the hammer, ain't nobody but you and the wild critters to judge the quality of the strings of swear words you put together. The roadrunners usually give me perfect tens on that account.....Mel
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grayfingers
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Member since November 2007
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Post by grayfingers on Jul 4, 2010 21:10:36 GMT -5
It is true there are two (or more) types of outdoors lovers. I grew up backpacking in 1960's and 70's in the back country in and around the Spanish Peaks, Yellowstone and the Absaroka Range. We never saw very many people, and even when we stayed in a campground the few other families we would encounter were "instant friends" who were pleasant easy going people.
I am not anti-social, but when I am in the out of doors I am not there to socialize. For me the outdoor experience is where I go to recharge, to let the cool mountain breezes cleanse my soul of the tense haze collected living around and interacting with my fellow humans. I hunt and fish alone, for me there is nothing better than the solitude of slipping quietly into the woods at dawn alone, smelling the pines, listening to every sound, a bird singing low in yonder thicket, a hidden stream gurgling, allowing my senses to awaken and be purified. I am fortunate to have a wife who appreciates these things as well, we backpack and go camping from time to time and we both like quiet solitude when we are in the wilderness.
So, I live about an hour away from Yellowstone so I can visit there when I wish. I avoid the tourist season like the plague. To me, crowds of people and the out of doors are like oil and water.
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Post by parfive on Jul 4, 2010 21:35:46 GMT -5
I hear vuvuzelas make great elk calls when you're around that type. ;D
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