Sometimes I miss the
Owens Valley, particularly in the springtime when some of the locals play a game with the crows* and seagulls called:
'Box-of-Raisins'
'
'This is a box of raisins too!'
The crows in the Owens Valley have an incredible range of over 160 kilometers north/south and over 60 kilometers east west. They catch the incredible thermals of the valley and then soar and glide to go pretty-much wherever they want. In the springtime seagulls start showing up from the Pacific (on there way to Salt Lake City to pester the Mormons), and compete with the crows for food. Fisherman start showing up from Los Angeles for the opening of fishing season. They bring tons of junk food with them. The crows and seagulls know when Crawly Lake 'bonanza' will start.
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When the crows and seagulls don't have any 'good action' (free food), it's a good time to play 'Box-of-Raisins'. When you see them coming around looking for free food, you throw out a few small scraps here and there to pique there interest. When they start squawking real loud, you throw a box of raisins into the air and they all want to be the first to get into the box.
Now the fun and games:
Nobody knows what's actually in the 'Box-of-Raisins'. Could be a few raisins. Coould be small pebbles or some charcoal. Could be some trail mix. Could be some small tidbits of Gallo dried salami (yummy, yummy). Could be some fresh smoked wild trout!
There are lots and lots of variations to the game. The Paiutes* sometimes put large fish bones (oh, no) or big splinters of manzanita (YIKES). Or splinters of Locust wood!
Note of Caution:
Do not try variations of 'Box-of Rains' around your campsite! Many variations produce incredible quantities of blood, guts, bones, feathers, etc. over a very large area. You will have to move your campsite to escape the carnage. By all means, never, never, never try the variation that involves a fishhook tied to the 'invisible' line going to your fishing pole. You are going to regret it! When you get done, you are going to need to wash your clothes and take a bath.
*Note: Biologists get all-pissy about the crows in the Owens Valley. They ;use the -(R)- word on them. To me, crow is a crow is a crow, period.
*Note: The paiutes frequently sell tax-free cigs around Lone Pine. Pall Mall Reds are a good choice for 'Box-of-Raisins'.
I personally recommend you simply look for some litter to find the box. Then you can help clean up the area. It's like 'killing-two-birds-with-one-stone'.
