[Snickersnee]

Now to Ft. Bragg and those @*!!@&* red-cockaded woodpeckers!

[fireforeffect]

About time.

I've seen a multimillion dollar exercise, involving thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles and aircraft, come to a screeching halt because one of these things decided to go for a stroll.

And we could not move until the OC's had determined that was the only one on the move.

[mortal19440]

Relocate them to PA, we love Turtle Soup.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It’s about time....

[The_Republican]

WOW. I was in Mojave Desert last week (Spring Break Vacation). Didn’t even see a damn sign or mention of any Tortoises. Otherwise, I would have at least tried to find the areas where they can either be spotted or even seen in captivity. Haven been there many times but must be a slightly different area.

Been in the Area 4 times now. Passed Bakersfield. Next time will try to find the location.

RECOMMENDATION:

If you are headed to Vegas, off of Route I-15 you can take CIMA ROAD or KELSO BAKER EXIT and that is one giant loop. You can run into the Visitor Center near Kelso Depot.

Do the ‘Hole in the Wall’ Trail! Its one of the best. First 2 miles are most beautiful. It Starts at a Campground with the same name and goes to ‘Midhills Campground’.

You can DRIVE between the two Camps and can do BOTH ends of the Trail. There is Spring right now so Desert is BLOOMING.

Also do the KELSO SAND DUNES, specially at Sunset.

Thank me later!

[mdittmar]

Arnaud's Turtle Soup au Sherry

• 1/4 cup salt
• 3/4 cup fresh or frozen turtle meat
• 3/4 cup ground veal shank meat
• 6 cups veal stock
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pinch whole dried thyme
• 3 tablespoons tomato pureé
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup white onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 lemons, halved
• 3 tablespoons sherry
• 2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons roux
• Salt and white pepper to taste

Combine eight quarts of water and half the salt in each of two large pots and bring to a boil over high heat. Place the turtle meat in one, the veal in the other, and simmer both for 45 minutes. Remove both pots from heat, drain the meat, and chop both meats coarsely in a food processor. Keep warm until needed.

Place the veal stock, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the tomato pureé, vegetables, parsley and lemons, and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the two kinds of meat and the sherry. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the eggs, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Thicken by adding small amounts of the roux.

Add a final splash of sherry to each individual bowl when serving, if desired.

Serves six.

Yum

[goldstategop]

Not bad for 770 desert critters:

Mojave Desert Tortoise

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[O Neill]

And they are known to be VERY slow...preferring DSL to Comcast's high-speed internet service...

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.itemonline.com/local/local_story_093235303.html

Fair exhibitor looking for lost tortoise

By Kristin Edwards
Staff Reporter

Walker County Fair exhibitor Jimmy Calhoun is offering a cash reward for the safe return of an African Spur Thigh Tortoise which escaped from its cage at the Walker County Fairgrounds late Tuesday night.

According to Calhoun, the 80-pound tortoise was last seen in the back parking lot of the fairgrounds at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday and was more than likely taken out of the area.

*****

They are not as tasty as a snapping turtle.:)

[webschooner]

Prolly the taxpayers will foot the bill for a nice condo on the beach for each of the relocated critters ...

[UCANSEE2]

“Hey soldier, whatcha doing?”

“Herding Turtles.”