Tuesday, August 4, 2009

T-Minus One Month (And Counting...)

There's a number of things my handlers never knew about before beginning their research for this upcoming adventure. Among the more interesting things they have discovered thus far are:

1. Insect repellent with high percentages of DEET disintegrates synthetic clothing and plastic camera housings

2. Kemmerer, WY is the self-proclaimed fossil fish capital of the world

3. The world's largest pit mine is located just outside Salt Lake City in Utah (no, we won't be going there)

4. Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone, though unpredictable, is the world's tallest active geyser, with water sprays reaching 300 feet (which didn't seem all that impressive until I started thinking of it in terms of Cedar Point roller coaster height)

5. Entrance to Mt. Rushmore is free. Parking is $10. Proof positive that the government always finds some way to tax you.

6. 'Slot canyons' tend to close when there is any chance of rain because of the potential danger of flash floods

7. Commercial bear sprays are an active deterrent against bears. Commercial pepper sprays designed for personal defense against humans are not strong enough to faze a bear. The first thing you must take into account when being charged by an enraged bear is where the wind is blowing, because you do not want to release the bear spray into the face of the wind and have it rebound. For reasons of self-preservation, my handlers have decided to forego the bear spray.

8. Canyoneering

9. The people of Jackson Hole, WY appear to subsist almost entirely upon breakfast foods

10. There are flying squirrels in Yellowstone

Now wasn't that interesting! This has been your educational blogpost of the day!

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