Twain Harte TimesTwain Harte Information & Photo Gallery

A trip to Modesto yesterday brought us the newest member of our family. She is a tiny little Russian Blue mix that hasn’t been weened yet, so we are going to have an interesting week.

We had decided to just look around and see what was available at the pet shops and animal shelters. I had no idea that any animal that leaves the shelter must be spayed or neutered, and while I understand the reasoning behind this, it doesn’t mean I have to like it. I believe that fixing an animal forever changes it’s personality and lifestyle. I probably have stronger feelings than most on this topic since I was “fixed” at the tender age of 18.

The animal shelter in Modesto is a new facility but it sure smelled terrible in there, with no readily apparent reason for the horrific aroma. I was informed that the kittens must be 2 pounds before they can be spayed or neutered and for most kittens, that means they must be at least 4 months old before they can be adopted. Well, is it any wonder they put so many animals down each year? At 4-months of age, they aren’t normally quite as cute as they are when most people take home a kitten at around 8 weeks of age.

We had made our decision to wait and explore other avenues, when fate stepped up and threw us a curve ball into our plans. Just as we were piling back into the ‘Beca to head back to Twain Harte, I spotted a small group of people standing just off to the side of where we were parked. One young lady was holding a tiny little gray kitten, with big round eyes, who was hissing and obviously not happy.

Someone in the group explained that the shelter had closed and they wouldn’t accept the kitten (nevermind that I had just walked out the door and they were in the process of adopting out a puppy). The doors weren’t even locked. Since the shelter wouldn’t accept the tiny creature, the small group had gathered, trying to figure out what to do with the poor kitten, when I walked up to the group. I picked up the kitten. They were concerned that the kitten would get away from me, and thought that it was a feral kitten. I was concerned that it had been injured the way that it was laying there immobilized. (Not once the first hour we had her did she move her neck.)

I spoke with my husband about the kitten. It was obvious that she was terrified and would require a great deal of love and care but we decided to give it a try. She barely moved at first, but she seemed to gain comfort from cuddling inside my fuzzy jacket I had bunched up on my lap. We made several stops for supplies on the way home and made several attempts to feed her. We managed to get her to drink some water and a little milk replacement formula, though she wouldn’t touch any of the solid food – wet or dry.

She keep attempting to suckle on my coat and the fuzzy blanket we gave her. I’m just so thankful that she will drink from a dish. We bought a couple bottles – just in case. If anyone in Twain Harte has a momma cat that might be willing to let her nurse, please let me know. She appears to be doing well, but as we all know — momma’s milk is best.

She has finally warmed up to us and has spent a little time playing, exploring, eating and what she does best at this point — sleep. She is a darling little kitten that needs a lot of love and kindness – I know she’s finally found her home.

Related Links:

• Tuolumne County Adoptable Cats
• Stanislaus County Adoptable Cats
• Calaveras County Pet Adoption
• Kitten Care (Home at Last Animal Rescue)

Stanislaus National Forest

It’s been a very busy week in Twain Harte, someone turned the heat on and left it on. I’m glad I’m not paying the propane bill for all this heat. The heat has brought people to the mountains in droves. Traffic hasn’t been this bad since – well since ever as far as I can recall.

While you are up here enjoying yourself with family and friends, I’d like you to please keep an eye out for Sandy, she’s been gone a week now.

We are seeing a lot more humidity than we normally see in the month of July, so be prepared to be hot and sticky. Speaking of hot and sticky, I know most of your vehicles are equipped with air conditioning because you are escaping the valley heat but you don’t have to cool yourselves driving 100 miles an hour.

Where is the fire? You come to the mountains to relax and unwind. Highway 108 is not The Indy 500. Slow down for pity sake. Because of our funky winter, we had a bumper crop of deer this season — I say had because far too many have been slaughtered this summer by motorists driving too fast. Just this week alone I’ve seen…

• deer
• raccoons
• squirrels
• birds
• opossum
• and other DEAD animals laying on the road.

It would be like a stranger driving through your home at 65 miles an hour. I normally have deer and turkeys visit my home daily as well as raccoons and many many squirrels. I’ve seen only one deer and a couple of squirrels all week. How can you enjoy nature if you drive it away or worse, kill it. Please slow down. Hell, stop and smell the flowers while you are here.

It’s great to get away and let your hair down but please take your trash with you. I wonder if you would be ashamed to know that we have 80 year old women who pick up the trash you leave behind? Crews of volunteers take to the streets to pick up the beer bottles, paper cups, and even entire bags of garbage that get tossed out beside the road. I love these mountains and the wildlife that call this area home. Your mother doesn’t live here. Pick up after yourself! If you bring it with you, or buy it here, take it home or dispose of it properly.

Lastly, if you enjoy the wildlife, please don’t feed it, don’t hold it and don’t treat it like a pet. Animals can be trained and tamed but then it will be doomed to death. Deer who are hand fed, petted and become too familiar with people, become tame, then are killed by hunters during hunting season or by motorists throughout the year – because they have come to trust man. I don’t have a problem with hunting but the deer should at least have a sporting chance at survival.

Want to have a good time in Twain Harte?

• Take all the pictures you want.
• Take some time for a nature walk.
• Go fishing, boating, swimming, skydiving, caving, spelunking or zip-lining.
• Partake of the local night life.
• Buy a pizza, shop at The Market.

Always remember to:

• Slow down
• Pick up your trash
• Don’t feed the wildlife
• One last thing: Don’t dump your pet here.

Apparently, many valley people think that turning their unwanted dog or cat out into the wild is a good idea and that they can fend for themselves or will be happier in the great outdoors. Every year dozens of cat and dogs are lost and never found or left behind in the mountains only to end up road kill or lion bait. If you bring your pet with you, keep your dog or cat on a leash. Don’t let them wander off alone.

Have a terrific summer and enjoy the majestic Stanislaus National Forest, we certainly do. Be sure to stop up to Pinecrest for their Ranger programs and movies at the amphitheater.

Happy July 4th!

Are you planning a long road trip over the Fourth of July weekend? Many families will take off for cooler parts this weekend. The motherlode provides a great place to get alone with nature and experience the squirrels chatter and the birds song for a refreshing change of pace.

Let’s face it camping in the great outdoors is a terrific experience for the children and it can be easy on the wallet or as expensive as you wish. Regardless of whether or not you camp, drive an RV, or you are ordering up room service from your 5 start hotel room; planning can make all the difference between having a terrific time and being miserable for the entire weekend.

Have you considered the costs of your trip? If you drive at all, you realize that gas prices aren’t what they used to be and can vary wildly from region to region. Do your homework before you leave home, always calculate lower gas mileage than you expect and be sure to add incidental miles (like trips to the grocery store, the beach or any other planned outtings).

Use caution when using online widgets when checking for gas prices, they are often inaccurate, so don’t let your fluid levels get too low before you start hunting for a station. In some areas they can be few and far between — especially when traveling in the mountains. Last year, for example, Wayne’s Shell here in Twain Harte was closed for months – during the Summer, Fall and Winter months people expecting to find gas when they arrived in Twain Harte were disappointed.

Is your vehicle road worthy?

1. Check and fill all fluid levels; oil, transmission, brake fluid, window washer solvent (not water, the solvent will clean the bugs off due to night driving). Check your hoses, in the heat of the summer, hoses often crack and break during a long trip.
2. Check the brake pads, most communities have service stations which offer free brake inspection. Get them looked at by a professional.
3. Check the tire tread and air pressure. (If you plan to head up into the mountains, pack the snow chains, you could need them this year.)

Be sure to have at least a small financial cushion, even if it’s nothing more than room on a credit card in case your vehicle leaves you stranded unexpectedly.

What to pack?

1. Sleeping bags or blankets (if camping)
2. A warm jacket
3. Two changes of clothing per day (one for cooler morning and evening weather, another set for the warm afternoons).
4. Two pairs of shoes (sandles, tennis shoes, hiking boots, flip flops, water socks) pick 2 or 3 but always have a spare pair.
5. Swimming trunks
6. Sunscreen/Mosquito Repellent
7. Camera
8. Cell Phone
9. Laptop
10. iPod
11. Map (be sure to print off a copy just in case the GPS goes out)
12. Walkie Talkie’s if you have them. They make a great backup in the absence of cell phone service, which is typical of many mountain communities and rural areas.
13. Prescription Medicine (in their original containers).

Your specific needs will vary depending on personal preferences, medical needs, the age of travelers and more. Create your own list of items to add to this list as you think of them. Be sure to call and stop the newspaper delivery or arrange for someone to pick them up while you are away.

Be sure the house is locked up properly, check the doors and windows. Look around your yard, does it look like the house is abandoned? Set a timer for your lights, have a family friend or neighbor check on things in your absence. Be sure your animals have someone looking after them while you are gone.

If you have a large family, be sure to count the kids at each stop to ensure that no one is left behind. Go ahead and laugh, many parents are reading this sentence nodding in agreement. It’s not that hard to forget one on occasion and it’s one quick way to spoil a vacation.

Travel Safe!