Boots and cholla~Nature Notes 120910

I always wear my WALMART steel-toed boots when I'm heading up to visit my horses for a couple of reasons. First, they are steel-toed, which is handy around the horses! I've been stepped on too many times! Second, I like their rubber "waffle" bottoms! I can climb on rocks and they grip the rocks! They are, in my opinion, much better for me than walking shoes. And, as I was out exploring the pinyon forest above Deep Canyon on Sunday, I came across some cholla cactus, including the dried stems. Upon closer observation, I found several little burrs nearby. I decided to put my shoe next to them to show you their size. One needs to be careful walking out in the desert or mountains because these burrs actually "jump" (thus the name, "Jumping Cholla") as you walk by! Actually, it is the reverberation of your steps that cause them to be moved...ANYWAY...as I was photographing them, I kept looking at my shoes to make sure I hadn't picked up any little...er...."travelers"! Nope. I was okay. So, imagine my surprise when I arrived at the horse ranch and I was talking to the owner and she said, "Look what's on your shoe!" Yup. One of the cholla burrs had indeed attached itself to my shoe! And, I'd been walking around, making beet pulp for the horses and hadn't even noticed it! They sure are tricky little buggers! Nature Notes for December 9, 2010.

Cholla~ouch!~Cactus Monday 111510

Saturday, as I was walking around Deep Canyon, I spotted these cholla spikes on the ground near some cholla cactus. I bent over to take photos of them and then, on my way back to my car, discovered the ready-to-go fire ring (see previous post). I wanted to show you the spikes because THESE are what people often step on, not the cactus itself. These were just lying on the ground. As you walk by them, the weight of your body makes the ground tremble just enough for them to "jump" up on your shoes or socks. That's why I always wear my boots or my heavy-duty WALMART steel-toed $20 boots. However, I always shudder when I see people walking around with flip-flops! Oye vei! I remember one time, up at Lone Pine, we stopped at the visitor's center and I only had tennis shoes and socks on and, as I was walking to the restroom, I walked BY (not on!) some cholla. Yes, they attached themself to my socks. Your instinct is to take your hand and swipe them off. NO, NO!!! They would then attach themselves to your hand! I took some paper towels and swished them off! So, be careful when you are out and about in our deserts or mountains and keep an eye out for cholla! It can be very painful. Cactus Monday for November 15, 2010.