Gogebic Photography Guild

Just saw on TV that that from the Mississippi River east everything is freezing. How is it in your state, Jon?

My outdoor thermometer says it is 36 degrees F. Projection is about 22 degrees tonight. So, it is a cold one!

Wonder if the alligators will survive the cold weather?

JohnSR wrote:Wonder if the alligators will survive the cold weather?

They have been doing it for millions of years!

That reminds me of a story. I must have been 9 or 10 years old and we were in Illinois for the winter. The marsh land would freeze hard enough so a person could walk on it. The kids in school invited me on a turtle hunt. Never to turn down something new, went along with them. They had a couple 10 foot long steel rods with a hook welded on the end of it. I asked what it was for and they said I would find out soon.

We headed for a muskrat den (for those who have never seen one, it looks like a beaver house except made out of cattails stems) and right where the muskrat enters the den, one of the Mexican boys ram the pole down through the frozen ground and proclaim that there was a turtle down there. We all got busy digging away some of the surface down to about two feet when he again poked the rod but this time with the hook down into the hole. It took serveral trys before getting the hook onto the side of the turtle. He then pulled up and out came the turtle. It was a big snapper.about 25 pounds. Think we caught 7or 8 turtles that day.

There was a man in town who bought the turtles and I went home with 5 dollars in my pocket. It was hard cold work but being young sure enjoyed it. I wonder if the kids back there still catch turtles that way or has the state outlawed the sport.

Good story John! Even if it is still legal today, I don't think too many kids would be interested in doing it. They are too involved with their video games, computers, and cable television!

They should have locked you up you old poacher......

That wasn't poaching back in those days. It probably would be now though. Don't think I have ever eaten turtle meat but what I have heard, it is pretty good. Bet the French eats them. Have eaten alligator tail. It was very tasty and would eat it again if I get a chance.

I've eaten frog.....

Oh, yes, also muskrat.....

Never tried muskrat but have eaten frog legs in a Chinese restaurant. Betty loves them. I rather have the crab legs or oysters.