This post is for those who think playing with snakes is fun ? Think again ?
Yesterday July fourth my birthday I went to celebrate. Instead about noon as I got to the Freedom trail head and put on my birthday suit a police helicopter buzzed the trailhead parking area. He came from the direction of the hospital in Arrowhead Lake. At first I thought he was there for me and my birthday suit. Instead he flew toward the Bowen ranch then circled around to the springs. Going directly to pick up some one, it became obvious to me. I took some pictures from the trail, I may be able to post later. The helicopter landed on the beach just uphill from the Deep Creek sign. I figured timing must be critical for him to be so bold.
This is what I learned from eyewitnesses who told me this :
Some one on the beach which is across from the hot pools spotted a large timber rattler in the bushes just downstream from the beach. Several people went over for a view. A guy they called Music David decided to pick him up using a long pipe he had. He is NOT to be confused with Hippy David or Ranger David who are DCHS regulars. It was NOT a regular ! As far as I could tell. As this musical guy went to grab the snake by his head. He did not wrap his hand close enough to his head, the snake was able to turn his head around and bite him. While he was holding him. OOOPPPSSS !! !! !! !!
A girl told him she was calling 911 . He replied he would be fine. She called 911 and the helicopter took 1 hour to get there so she said. I suppose that is why the copter landed like it did on the beach. Timing was critical for the victim. The girl said when he went down he went down fast beside the Anniversary pool.
Instead of celebrating my birthday I want to celebrate and thank these brave rescuers for this very necessary service.
Before all of this :
I saw a large female deer about 1 mile from the Bowen ranch. She had 2 baby deers following her. The baby deer or does appeared to be identical twins. I turned off my motor to get a better view. It startled her a bit and she paused to observe me too. It took her @ 10 minutes to get out of view, I took this as a good sign for my birthday trip. The springs have been very busy on other trips I have had in the past and I expected it would be the same. It was not very busy so there were never more than 30 persons there all day long. Everyone was rearranging their tents and camping equipment when I got there. The helicopter had smoothed out the sand everywhere. Sand and leaves were on the water all over. This cleared up as the day went on. There was trash in the regular places, too much. The sun had warmed up the pools too hot for some and most were cooling off in the creek. As can be expected. Ever one I saw and talked to were having the time of their lives.
I hope this serves as a lesson for someone somehow !
Happy hot springing everyone !