Question: Bigfoot Photo Op

Comment and question from D., "I'm sad to report that due to habitat loss, sasquatchs can no longer be found in Western Canada so a big part of the appeal of Cycle Oregon's visit to Jefferson State would be the propects of photographing a sasquatch up close. Do you think I could lure a creature close with peanut butter sandwiches and cold milk? Looking forward to my trip! Thank you; D. Wayne Mather Langley BC Canada(eh!)"

D., we're looking forward to hosting you as your elusive Sasquatch hunt continues. Around here we call him Bigfoot, and you can't throw a stick around here without hitting someone who claims to have seen Bigfoot in the mountains around Happy Camp.

There have been serious (?) attempts over the years to scientifically search for our beloved beast -- "Monster Hunters" was the most recent televised event with their nighttime listening stations placed in boats on the Klamath, downriver a bit from Happy Camp. I'm not sure if the peanut butter sandwich and cold milk trap has been tried yet, but I do know from personal experience that a six pack of warm Oly's (actually, only a five pack) and beef jerky do not work.

If you do not photograph the beast, there's always the giant metal sculpture of him as you enter town, and the wooden carving of him at the Post Office -- and plenty of other neat things to take pictures of on your ride. Here's a bumper sticker from the area for the last election.

Other local "legends" and oddities:

• Local Native American lore also places a mountain devil in the area, called a Putawan.
• The giant "spiderweb" you'll see in town doesn't mean there's a spider as big as a house running around loose. Someone built the (currently unverified) "World's Biggest Dreamcatcher" and put it up near Parry's Market.
• Locals say that you can regularly see UFO's from the top of Shinar's Saddle -- a mountain area close to the last big uphill climb on your way into Happy Camp on Highway 96. It's been explained that the fast moving "balls of light" are probably ground lightning, but rumor has it that an Area 52 exists near Klamath Falls and "alien technology" is being tested by "the government". Hmmmm. Not sure about that one, but doesn't every community have their little odd quirks?

D., let's hope that your Sasqutches return. Until then, feel free to look for them on your ride!