Watch out for the Giant Snow Chipmunks !

Yes snow fever is rampant, and they're scurrying all over the place. I came back from the first ski of the season yesterday, and saw a few jittering around the parking lot. Why they just didn't get onto the trails, I have no idea. I was proceeding out of the parking lot in my vehicle, at approximately 5 mph, when all of a sudden one darted out in front me. Still having the summer tires on, I was unable to stop on the slippery snow surface, so I had to resort to honking the horn. The group began chittering at me as I smiled and waved - one was speaking German-chuk I think.

Then today I'm flying down a trail, and a couple of them are off to the side further down. But just as I get near them, one starts jumping out onto the trail, and I have to let forth with a bellowing yell to alert them to the fact that I am about to pulverize them. A couple of dirty looks, but tragedy is avoided.