Ranger Headquarters

Ranger Headquarters
Big Pine National Forest, Knotty Pine

Sunday, September 25, 2011

RB147 - The Monster of White Lake

Boaters and fishermen are being attacked on White Lake and White River. The monster rises out of the waters, attacks an unsuspecting fisherman, and then disappears back into the depths of the lake. Folks are terribly frightened. Ranger Bill gets called in to identify and hopefully capture the beast.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

RB146 - Rising Curiosity

Bill and Stumpy are in Washington, DC, learning new weather forecasting techniques. Shipping crates full of weather equipment and weather balloons arrive at ranger headquarters. Curiosity over the boxes gets the better of Henry and his friend Jack. They look in one box then another. Pretty soon they’re up to the clouds in trouble.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Knotty Pine GAZETTE

Sand Hogs Invade Knotty Pine !

Sand hogs have come to Knotty Pine and they have brought a TBM with them. No, everyone, don’t run and hide. Knotty Pine is not being overrun by some strange breed of wild pigs. In fact sand hogs are men, miners to be specific and special miners at that. Sand hogs are miners who did the water tunnels that bring fresh water from distant lakes and rivers to large cities. The term sand hog was first used to refer to the miners who dig New York City’s water tunnels.
So what are these tunneling miners doing here in Knotty Pine? They are here to dig a new water tunnel for Central City. Central City’s population has grown so much larger in the last ten years that city water supplies can’t keep up with demand. The city fathers have hired some of New York’s finest sand hogs to dig a new 9-foot diameter tunnel from the Shady River to Central City.
The sand hogs have brought a friend to help them with this massive undertaking, a Tunnel Boring Machine or TBM for short. The TBM is a giant rotary cutting machine that cuts through rock and earth to produce a nice round tunnel.
Work has already begun just a few miles south of Knotty Pine.

Blessed Day

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
"This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it"
- Psalm 118: vs. 1 and 24

Have a safe, blessed, and peaceful day this September 11, 2011.

Dave

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

RB144 Mystery Island

Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Mary Lu go camping on Lake Arthur Island. They meet fellow campers kindly Mr. Overby and grumpy Mr. Meany. Both men appear to be keeping secrets about themselves. On their very first evening there, Henry and Mary Lu hear some very strange sounds. The kids get scared and want to go home. What are Bill and Stumpy going to do to salvage their camping trip and get rid of the strange noises?

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Happy Labor Day Weekend

Ranger Bill Jefferson, his ward Henry Scott, and rangers Stumpy Jenkins and Gray Wolf want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.
God bless your worship, your rest, and your time with family and friends this weekend.

Big Pine Ranger Headquarters News

The 3-S Wildlife Tours
Chief Ranger Bill Jefferson has approved a new program at Big Pine NF thanks to a suggestion by ranger Stumpy Jenkins. Big Pine will now offer guided wildlife tours for physically handicapped and visually impaired visitors.
Ranger Jenkins came up with the idea for these tours while at the office of Dr. Hanson, Knotty Pine's eye doctor. Stumpy was chatting with some of Dr. Hanson's other patients while in the waiting room. Stumpy sees Dr. Hanson regularly after having cataract surgery. Stumpy was talking with another of the doctor's patients Will Thompson describing his work as a ranger at Big Pine National Forest. He mentioned that one of the best parts of his job is watching and listening to the wildlife, especially the many birds in the forest. Will is nearly blind and has never bothered to go bird watching. Other patients in the office also commented that they would enjoy listening to the birds and other animals.
Ranger Stumpy teamed up with fellow ranger Gray Wolf to lead "The 3 S's of the Shady Mountains." Those three S's are the sights, sounds, and smells of the Shadys. The rangers will take visitors to see the colors of the mountains, smell the scents of the flowers and trees, and hear the songs of birds and the calls of the wildlife.
Stumpy and Gray Wolf also lead tours for physically handicapped visitors. Bus tours with nursing aids for those who need help walking are available.