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More from Major Matt Mason
Mitch And The Trolley II: The Squirrel Stalker
From June 13, 2006:
I've added yet another item to the "Things That Probably Only I Have Ever Done" list:
Stalking squirrels using a 10-ton 1926 streetcar.
See, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum runs, at least in part, next to the Fort Smith Veteran's Cemetery, a lovely wooded place.
Woods = squirrels.
Squirrels + trolley = fun.
Not that I squish 'em or anything. That wouldn't be sporting.
HOW TO STALK SQUIRRELS USING A STREETCAR
1) Observe pair of squirrels hanging out besides trolley tracks some feet ahead.
2) Cut power to trolley so that you are approaching slowly and as quietly as a ten ton machine on somewhat rusty rails can manage.
3) Pull abreast of squirrels.
4) Ring trolley bell as loudly as possible.
5) Snicker as Squirrel 1 jumps up a foot in the air and heads for the hills.
6) Look surprised as Squirrel 2 simply gives you a "You ASSHOLE" look and calmly continues munching its acorn.
'Course, Squirrel 2 seems to be something of a daredevil. In every run to the cemetery end of the line I made today, S2 (who somewhat resembled Scrat, as his tail was less than bushy) was sitting on one rail, jumping nimbly off then pacing the trolley as it trundled along.
Amused Mike and Carole Curtis as well as Chakat Goldfur, who had come down from Conway to see me and get a ride on the trolley.
Having tried my hand at squirrel stalking, we decamped to the Nickel and Dime Diner, a converted Long Island Railroad passenger car across the street from the trolley's other terminus, for my lunch break. I'll tell ya, nothing like showing up in full conductor regalia (Mike compared me favorably to Captain Kangaroo in his younger days) to make the staff smile...
After that, genuine ice cream sodas at the Ft. Smith Museum of History, which features a pharmacy museum stocked with all manner of patent and other remedies ranging from Sal Ipena to Py-Co-Pay...
The gift shop yielded a coonskin cap in my size. Time to transfer my "Kefauver for President" button from my other, undersized cap.
All in all, a fun day. Photos to follow once Mike emails 'em to me.
And you've already seen the photo of me with the trolley... (grin)
Anyhoo, I told
rabbi-tom this story at AC 06, and he proceeded to immortalize it in my sketchbook... ;)
I've added yet another item to the "Things That Probably Only I Have Ever Done" list:
Stalking squirrels using a 10-ton 1926 streetcar.
See, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum runs, at least in part, next to the Fort Smith Veteran's Cemetery, a lovely wooded place.
Woods = squirrels.
Squirrels + trolley = fun.
Not that I squish 'em or anything. That wouldn't be sporting.
HOW TO STALK SQUIRRELS USING A STREETCAR
1) Observe pair of squirrels hanging out besides trolley tracks some feet ahead.
2) Cut power to trolley so that you are approaching slowly and as quietly as a ten ton machine on somewhat rusty rails can manage.
3) Pull abreast of squirrels.
4) Ring trolley bell as loudly as possible.
5) Snicker as Squirrel 1 jumps up a foot in the air and heads for the hills.
6) Look surprised as Squirrel 2 simply gives you a "You ASSHOLE" look and calmly continues munching its acorn.
'Course, Squirrel 2 seems to be something of a daredevil. In every run to the cemetery end of the line I made today, S2 (who somewhat resembled Scrat, as his tail was less than bushy) was sitting on one rail, jumping nimbly off then pacing the trolley as it trundled along.
Amused Mike and Carole Curtis as well as Chakat Goldfur, who had come down from Conway to see me and get a ride on the trolley.
Having tried my hand at squirrel stalking, we decamped to the Nickel and Dime Diner, a converted Long Island Railroad passenger car across the street from the trolley's other terminus, for my lunch break. I'll tell ya, nothing like showing up in full conductor regalia (Mike compared me favorably to Captain Kangaroo in his younger days) to make the staff smile...
After that, genuine ice cream sodas at the Ft. Smith Museum of History, which features a pharmacy museum stocked with all manner of patent and other remedies ranging from Sal Ipena to Py-Co-Pay...
The gift shop yielded a coonskin cap in my size. Time to transfer my "Kefauver for President" button from my other, undersized cap.
All in all, a fun day. Photos to follow once Mike emails 'em to me.
And you've already seen the photo of me with the trolley... (grin)
Anyhoo, I told
rabbi-tom this story at AC 06, and he proceeded to immortalize it in my sketchbook... ;)Category Artwork (Traditional) / Human
Species Mammal (Other)
Size 1116 x 1280px
File Size 239.5 kB
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