Dumb Tourist

[Iceaxe]

I love reading "look what the dumbass tourist did!" stories...... :lol8:

Tourists who tempt park beasts in for surprise
By Rich Tosches - The Denver Post

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - The boy came with his family from South Korea and stood along the shores of Jackson Lake amid the stunning beauty of this gem of the American West.

The 16-year-old youth spotted a huge moose, something he'd only seen in pictures, standing in the trees. The moose had two calves by her side. He had a camera.

Without hesitating, he walked toward the great shaggy creatures. The 500-pound adult moose snorted. The boy kept walking. He got within 10 feet, close enough to smell the wild odor of the beast.

And then she charged.

Teton and Yellowstone National Park to the north are in full tourist mode these days, tens of thousands of visitors pouring through the gates each day, millions from around the world by the end of the summer, most from urban areas and all seeking an encounter with nature.

Some of them get it in a startling way. Last year, they ran over and killed 130 of Teton's large wild things - elk, bison and deer dying at an alarming rate.

''People drive through the park talking on cell phones and text messaging and even typing away on their BlackBerries,'' said park spokeswoman Joan Anzelmo, talking about the dangerous behavior of the park's two-legged critters.

''The 130 large animals we lost to cars last year was the highest ever,'' she said. ''People drive with all their communications devices, looking at GPS units to navigate, their heads down and the kids in the back watching videos. There's way too much going on, and they turn the corner, and there's a herd of elk in the road. We'd love to have people turn those things off and enjoy the experience.''

Sometimes, of course, the encounter with the big and wild is overwhelming. People hop out of their vehicles and seem to play a bizarre game of Pin the Tail on the Giant Hairy Thing.

Last week, Josef Heine of Munich, Germany, tried to play. With his family inside the car, he emerged with video camera in hand as a herd of beasties fed on grass and clover along the road in the north end of the park. A reporter stopped too.

''Theese . . . theese iss moose?'' he asked, turning his back to the gathering of animals that now stood just 25 feet away.

No, he was told. Theese iss elk.

A cow elk turned and took a menacing step. Heine backed away but kept his video camera pointed at the small herd. The cow had a young calf at her side. Heine was lucky.

A few days earlier, the 16-year-old from South Korea wasn't.

When he violated the space of the cow moose with the calves, she charged. He turned and ran. The moose caught him in a few giant strides and sent a front hoof whistling through the air. The blow caught the boy squarely in the back of the head, and he crashed to the ground.

Sometimes in those situations, the moose continue the attack. They have killed many people, mostly in Alaska.

This boy got a trip to a hospital and he was released later that day.

''We see how close people get to wild animals, and we wonder what they could possibly be thinking,'' said Colter Bay Marina cashier Ren Sanders.

Said co-worker Maggie Keyes, ''I've had people actually ask me if the bears are wild.''

They are.

Along the Snake River that roars from Jackson Lake, a female grizzly bear and two cubs meandered among the willows last week. Hundreds of cars stopped, creating what park workers call a bear jam. A man got out of a silver Range Rover holding a camera and took a few steps. The adult grizzly stood on her hind legs and the man was back inside his car in roughly half a second.

''Bears, especially grizzlies, create their own space,'' said park spokeswoman Anzelmo. ''But people just don't believe the moose or elk or bison can be dangerous. They want that close-up experience.''

An experience that is, sometimes, a real kick in the head.

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

More fodder.....

Questions asked of the Grand Canyon Park Ranger

Did Evil Knevil jump over this on his bike?

On what side of the El Tovar are the geysers?

How much does the free shuttle cost?

Can I walk over the rim? (It's a long step over the other side)

I landed my plane next to the Bright lodge 30 years ago, Can I still do that?

Asked at West Rim bus stop: Where does the front of this shuttle go? - Then where does the back car go?

Ranger, How long have you worked here at Yellowstone National Park?

How often do people fall over the rim? (Answer: Only once.)

Where are the faces of the presidents carved on the canyon?

I lost 600 dollars in Los Angeles two days ago. Can you help me find it?

What state is Grand Canyon in? (Arizona) then asked "Am I in Arizona?"

Is there anywhere within 100 miles where its not cloudy or snowing?

Standing on the rim a woman asked, "Is that really Canada over there?"

I have been to Mather Point & Yavapai Point, should I just turn around and leave now?

Looking at a Great Horned Owl a person asked, "Is that a bat or owl?"

Do you know about the monkey tour down into the canyon?

Is it possible that I'm just dense? (ya, its possible)

How do I get to Avocado Pt.? (you mean Yavapai?) No, Avocado Pie!

Does the shuttle bus take you to places you can't go?

How many Indians are there in the whole United States?

I bought tickets for the elevator to the bottom, were can I find it?

The bus I see outside, what do I do with it?

Are there hook-up's for my R.V. at Phantom Ranch?

A few years ago I took a train through the canyon, is it still down there?

Where is the museum with the glass bottom you can see through?

Where can I catch the shuttle to the suspension bridge?

Does the shuttle bring you back? (no, 2.5 million people are waiting at Hermits's Rest.)

Where are the square trees that we read about? (the what?)

At 3 mile resthouse on Bright Angel trail: Do you sell post cards here?

Were Thelma and Louise here?

Where is the bridge that goes across this?

At Bright Angel tailhead: How far down this trail is the first bus stop?

On the Rim: Is this the Grand Canyon?

Can I ride my bicycle across the canyon?

Where is the trolley across the canyon?

Where do I get on the boat trip from the North Rim?

You can't invite people to the United States and then close the West Rim!

An 8 year old child: Do you work here? (yes) Are you Smokey the Bear?

Is this Bryce Canyon or Canyon De Chelly?

Was it these soupy Indians who dug this.

Yellowstone National Park is in Arizona, right?

Are there Indians in the lodges?

Where is the ghost town?

Can I take a ship on the Colorado River?

Where is the shuffle bus?

Where is the elevator down into the canyon?

What is the Grand Canyon?

Where is the part they call the Grand Canyon?

Do Jackalopes live in the park?

Where is the shuttle buckets?

Asked by a 7 year old boy: Ranger, are you Ranger Rick?

Is Arizona on the correct time?

What is the best place to jump into the canyon.

Can I walk to the river and then drive up.

Cloudy sunrise. "Is the sun up yet?"

Does the river have water?

How long is 15 minutes?

Will the sun set tonight?

Was the Brady Bunch really here? (yes, 28 years ago)

Do you light up the canyon at night?

Do you have any baboons here?

I want to drive along the rim to Las Vegas. (sorry)

When does the elevator leave to Indian Gardens?

Is this Bryce canyon or the Grand Canyon?

What state are we in?

Is the London bridge at the Grand Canyon?

Is there a waterfall on fire at Grand Canyon?

Who made the Canyon?

Where can I throw rocks off the rim?

Where did they used to jump across the canyon?

How do I get to the McDonalds at Phantom Ranch?

How do the elk blow through their horns?

Where can I buy food to feed the animals?

Where is across the street?

Is there a golf course here?, I herd about one.

If it's noon here, what time is it in Sedona?

Is there an ice cave on the west rim?

Where am I?

How do you get outside?

Is it twice as far to hike out than it is to hike down?

How do you tame your squirrels?

Is the Canyon Rim in this building?

Where can I see the number 7 in the Canyon?

Where is the best place to see the Vernal Equinox?

How many stupid questions do you get a day?

Will the sun set today?

What is a railroad?

Are there any openings on a mule?

Is the mule train air conditioned?

Is there anything to see at Grand Canyon?

Do the squirrels mate with the rabbits in the park?

Where can I see Old Faithful?

When you say "across the road", do you mean across the road?

Is the Grand Canyon man made?

Where in the park is Pearl Harbor?

I saw a fox or bobcat, what is the difference?

Are any of the campgrounds air conditioned?

Where is the train into the canyon?

I am looking for the Devils Tower?

Did David Copperfield levitate over the Grand Canyon?

How do you go down on a mule?

Where is Half Dome?

Where is the water fountain outside and to the left?

How far is a mile and half?

Can I see Grand Canyon in Flagstaff?

Will there be Weather today?

Does the sky lift in Flagstaff (80 miles away) go over the Canyon?

:popcorn:

[Shan]

Oh lordy! Those are funny.

My friend used to work at the South Rim at the Grrand Canyon. She said some tourists from Japan has their big ol' USA Atlas and had their heads down trying to figure out where they were, and arguing among themselves. They said to her, "Where is Grand Canyon, U.S.A.?" They were literally 25 feet from the rim. She just pointed to the edge.

[stefan]

and some of these people vote too!!! :crazy:

[Shan]

No lie, my mother-in-law from NJ asked why there weren't any Arby's in Yellowstone National Park.

[rockgremlin]

Tourists who tempt park beasts in for surprise
By Rich Tosches - The Denver Post

The 16-year-old youth spotted a huge moose, something he'd only seen in pictures, standing in the trees. The moose had two calves by her side. He had a camera.

Without hesitating, he walked toward the great shaggy creatures. The 500-pound adult moose snorted.


:roflol: 500 pound adult moose.... :roflol:

Ya right!!! Try 500 X 3!!! There's no way a full grown adult moose weighs a paltry 500 pounds!! :roll:

[Alex]

Some of those were very funny, but a lot were just offensive. Most of the Grand Canyon tourists are foreigners and a lot of those questions were formed in a broken English. I'd like to see those Rangers go to a foreign country and ask questions in a foreign language. Got to give a break to people, it's all new to everyone from out of Utah (even a few states away). Not everyone have the beauty of sandstone, desert, mountains, forests and lakes/rivers within 4 hours drive. We are lucky to be living here.

[Iceaxe]

OK.... I have to admit.... everytime I go into Arches NP I ask the ranger...

"Where do we go to see the bears?" :haha:

Anther time we were in a 4x4 Jeep covered in mud from up on the Zion Ponderosa. As we were entering Zion National Park (Springdale Entrance) the ranger asked us.....

"Where did you boys go to get that Jeep so muddy?"

Without missing a beat my friend answered

"This little turn-off just before you get to the Temple of Sinaweva". :roflol:

It was halarious.... all the blood instantly drained from the rangers face and his jaw hit the ground. :lol8:

It took anther 15 minutes to convice the poor guy we were just kidding. :nono:

Or maybe you just had to be there....

:popcorn:

[stefan]

"This little turn-off just before you get to the Temple of Sinaweva".



:fakelaugh: :roflol:

[marc olivares]

"This little turn-off just before you get to the Temple of Sinaweva".



man i just love that story.... i think i've repeated it 3 times now.
youre a legend among my all friends now Shane. (well, all 3 of them)

[Sombeech]

OK.... I have to admit.... everytime I go into Arches NP I ask the ranger...

"Where do we go to see the bears?" :haha:

:lol8: I'm gonna try that next time. :2thumbs:

[kamfoo]

hahha. the tourist thing made me laugh.. i volunteered at timpanogas cave for a couple summers helping with tours and such.. and it just reminded me of all the mindless questions i had been asked... like when i was asked "what color paint is that exactly?" to a response from me "uhhh???"... one of the many i wish i would have written down!

[price1869]

Sam and I generally ask if we need a rope or anything every time we get a permit. They've caught on.

Price

[stefan]

two of my favorites :lol8:

Are any of the campgrounds air conditioned?


You can't invite people to the United States and then close the West Rim!

[rock_ski_cowboy]

You should have seen the look on the face of the girl at the cash register in the Springdale market last week when I asked her where we could get some good fireworks.

[stefan]

You should have seen the look on the face of the girl at the cash register in the Springdale market last week when I asked her where we could get some good fireworks.

:shock: ... sweet :haha:

[accadacca]

You should have seen the look on the face of the girl at the cash register in the Springdale market last week when I asked her where we could get some good fireworks.
:lol8: :lol8: :lol8:

[DickHead]

While filling out the campground registration at Cedar Springs (flaming gorge) last summer, someone pulled up in thier RV and asked me how to get to Cedar Springs....I promptly sent them to Dutch John....
:bootyshake:

[Iceaxe]

While spread out in line abreast hunting rabbits on New Years day this female game warden drives up, jumps out and asks....

"What you boys huntin'?" :cool2:

Without missing a beat my smartass friend replies...

"Hawks and eagles." :haha:

The lady game warden never said a word, just jumped in her truck and left. For the rest of the day I kept expecting to see her show up with reinforcements but it never happend. :ne_nau:

AND.....

When ever I feel out a form and it asks for "SEX", I always write down "Yes, please". :roflol:

:rockon:

[Sombeech]

While spread out in line abreast hunting rabbits on New Years day this female game warden drives up, jumps out and asks....

"What you boys huntin'?" :cool2:

Without missing a beat my smartass friend replies...

"Hawks and eagles." :haha:

The lady game warden never said a word, just jumped in her truck and left. For the rest of the day I kept expecting to see her show up with reinforcements but it never happend. :ne_nau:


Hawks and Eagles? That's OK, as long as it ain't the state bird- Seagulls.

[Iceaxe]

Hawks and Eagles? That's OK, as long as it ain't the state bird- Seagulls.

Anyone here ever remove the sinkers and bait a hook with bread while out fishing?

The results are very entertaining :lol8:

I mean.... not that I'd ever really do such a thing...... :haha:

[Sombeech]

I mean.... not that I'd ever really do such a thing...... :haha:

I would. I haven't, but I would. Can I get in trouble for thinking the idea is funny?

[icthys]

Hawks and Eagles? That's OK, as long as it ain't the state bird- Seagulls.

Anyone here ever remove the sinkers and bait a hook with bread while out fishing?

The results are very entertaining :lol8:

I mean.... not that I'd ever really do such a thing...... :haha:

I hooked a beaver last month up at Strawberry. He was pissed we were floating in his little bay. He must have had plenty of experience with other anglers cause he knew exactly what my fly line was for. When he tried messing with it I gave it a yank so he wouldn't chew through it and I hooked him. Biggest swimmer I've ever caught.

[Alex]

Did he take you on a ride or did you cut the line?

[icthys]

Did he take you on a ride or did you cut the line?

Took me into my backing in no time. I quickly realized I didn't want to practice catch and release with this bruiser and broke my line...poor bugger.

[Iceaxe]

I quickly realized I didn't want to practice catch and release with this bruiser

Personally I'm a big fan of Catch & Release.

:popcorn:

[marc olivares]

Anyone here ever remove the sinkers and bait a hook with bread while out fishing?

The results are very entertaining :lol8:

I mean.... not that I'd ever really do such a thing...... :haha:

when i was a kid, living on the coast, we would chum seagulls in w/ bread and then toss the Alka Seltzer, they never got real far after a mouth full of "plop. plop. fizz, fizz" ... but in CA, seagulls are thought of as flying rats, not a cherished part of the community... :roflol: