Miles Files: The power of Bob ... at Huddart Park Miles Files: The power of Bob ... at Huddart Park (January 19, 2005)

By Miles McMullin

Eighth-Grader, St. Joseph's School, Atherton

When you hear the word "cat," you may think of a cute little kitty playing with a ball of yarn. But when you add a simple name to the front of the word, you could think fear.

As in BOBcat.

Recently I went hiking with my dad in Huddart Park, a county park close to my home in Woodside. We were hiking by waterfalls, giant slippery rocks, and in the dark, damp woods. I asked my dad if there were mountain lions in these woods, and he said he did not think so.

As we kept hiking, I slipped on a few rocks, and got wet and muddy. As we stopped to clean up, we saw this large paw-track, right next to a deer's track.

The track had four pads separated from the heel of the paw. No claw marks. My dad seemed somewhat concerned, but he stayed cool, as he always does, and we headed home.

Arriving there, we got on the Internet and found that these tracks were from a bobcat.

The next day, my dad and I returned to the park and asked a park ranger if he had seen any bobcats. He said he had seen two living in Huddart Park, but they were not a problem.

I relaxed, sort of.

The next time you're hiking in Huddart Park, do not forget the power of BOB.

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