Stegosaurus left the State of California on December 18th; he apologized to Congresssaurus Triceratops for not having the time to help him and Steve Beaver gather the trees that they wanted to take back to Wyoming with them. Triceratops told him "It is okay, my friend. Thank you for coming, but please stomp forthrightly before you are late getting to West Virginia."

Stegosaurus observed, "I took my friend's advice, and arrived in the State of West Virginia on December 23rd, inst;. I knew that the family reunion of the Ground Sloths, including my friends Widow Ground Sloth and Junior, would be in Greenbrier County, West Virginia where the mammal Colonel John Stewart discovered the Ground Sloth fossil there in the year 1797. He immediately informed then Vice President Thomas Jefferson, which is why it is sometimes called Megalonyx Jeffersonii. The Megatherium was discovered in Argentina in 1788, and classified by Georges Cuvier the following year. The mammals of West Virginia declared The Giant Ground Sloth to be their State Fossil in the year 2008.

As I stomped forthrightly into Greenbrier County, a jubilant Junior Ground Sloth ran up to me, a 20 foot child weighing in excess of 8 thousand pounds. "They grow up so fast ........." I thought.

"Stegosaurus !! I am so glad you are here to celebrate Christmas with us! Mama, mama, Stegosaurus is here !!"

Then Widow Ground Sloth approached me, a full grown Megatherium a little more subdued, but very cheerful.

"Delighted to see you, Stegosaurus !! Thank you for coming !! Welcome for Christmas. You know Junior, let me introduce you to our other family members. We have enjoyed living in our South African Avocado grove; but it is nice to be home again and visiting with our extended family."

"I am pleased to be here and to spend the Holiday with you and yours. Thank you for inviting me," replied Stegosaurus.

"Widow Ground Sloth led me into a wooded grove, where there were many Giant Ground Sloths; Junior followed close behind me," said Stegosaurus.

"Well, I see the party has truly begun !!" Declared a large Ground Sloth drinking from a prepared bowl of Hot Negus. "I invite you to drink with me here, Stegosaurus from this bowl of Negus, and we shall embrace the joy of the Season and welcome the birth of the Lord and Savior !!"

"Stegosaurus, I welcome you to meet my Father in Law," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," said Stegosaurus, trying to determine how much of the Negus the Giant Ground Sloth had consumed; he certainly was enjoying himself.

"Nice to meet you", said Father In Law. "The real Stegosaurus. Or, are you Stegosaurus Claus?"

"No, my friend, I am not Stegosaurus Claus; Stegosaurus Claus lives in Brazil; I live in Bolder, Colorado, having moved from where I was discovered in Morrison."

"Ah well, nice to meet you just the same. Come, join me in a drink of Negus. I am not as inebriated as I appear. I am approaching 11 thousand pounds; it takes a lot to put me in my cups."

"Very well," agreed Stegosaurus, and he took a drink from the bowl of Negus.

"I assume that Stegosaurus Claus will be here by Christmas," said Father In Law.

"He usually is; and I am sure Junior has been good this year," said Stegosaurus.

"Certainly," said Father In Law. "Come, Stegosaurus, have another drink with me, and then I shall introduce you to my lovely wife, Widow Ground Sloth's Mother In Law."

Stegosaurus took another drink, and Father In Law continued; "It was such a pity when Widow Ground Sloth's husband, my son, became extinct in the California tar pits a few years ago, but your cousin, Kentrosaurus, and later mammal friend Steve Beaver, I hear has taken good care of them and they enjoy their Avocado grove."

"They do," said Stegosaurus. "You have heard correctly."

Then a female Ground Sloth approached Father In Law Ground Sloth and spoke to him.

"Honey, I heard you speak of Avocados and wanted you to know the Avocados imported to West Virginia have arrived for the party, and we can now eat dinner."

"Ah, Stegosaurus! Here she is, my lovely wife, Widow Ground Sloth's Mother In Law. Dearest..." he then said, addressing his wife: "Let us invite our guest Stegosaurus to the Avocado Grove, and we can introduce him to the other Ground Sloths here at our reunion."

"Delightful!" said Mother In Law Ground Sloth. "Welcome, Stegosaurus, and Merry Christmas to you!"

"Nice to meet you, and to you the same," said Stegosaurus. Widow Ground Sloth and Junior Ground Sloth followed close behind, ready to dine on the Avocados that they themselves had brought for the party from South Africa.

"Stegosaurus, let me introduce you to more of our family members," said Widow Ground Sloth. "But first, tell me, would you enjoy an Avocado that Junior and I brought from South Africa ? It was only a few thousand years ago that such delicacies would grow here in the mountains of West Virginia."

"If you have any to spare I would be delighted," said Stegosaurus. "Thank you. I really appreciate your invitation to your family Christmas celebration. I am honored to be here with you."

"We are pleased to have you Stegosaurus," said Widow Ground Sloth. She then proceeded to say Grace before dinner, and thanked all her family and guests as well for coming to spend Christmas with her.

"We are thankful for this dinner, the time we spend together today to observe the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love and friendship of our beloved family and friends near and far across millions of miles and millions of years. Amen."

Stegosaurus and the Ground Sloths ate copious amounts of Avocados right away, and then when they had their fill, Widow Ground Sloth and Junior Ground Sloth both approached Stegosaurus.

"Remember, Stegosaurus, My in laws would like to introduce you to more of my extended family. Will you come with Junior and me?" asked Widow Ground Sloth.

"Yes, of course, " rejoined Stegosaurus.

"Now Stegosaurus, here are two of Widow Ground Sloth's cousins, Cousin the Younger, and Cousin the Older," said Mother In Laws Ground Sloth.

Then, she exclaimed loudly, to get the attention of two Sloths at the far end of the yard: "Cousins, here is the dinosaur you've heard so much about !! Stegosaurus !!"

Stegosaurus was a little embarrassed to have attention drawn to him in such a manner, for the Sloths rushed as fast as they could ( which was still pretty slow, but ) and they seemed delighted to meet Stegosaurus.

"We are so happy to finally make your acquaintance !!" exclaimed Cousin The Older Ground Sloth.

"Well, we are a few million years apart, or so the mammals say," joked Stegosaurus. "I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. It has been such a delightful Christmas, the Avocados were delightful. Thank you so much for inviting me to spend time with your family."

"You're welcome," said Cousin the Younger Sloth. "We have heard so much about you; you're an icon of the ages please tell us stories of your adventures. Have you ever met Stegosaurus Claus?"

"I have been asked this many times, but yes I have," said Stegosaurus.

Although embarrassed and shy, Stegosaurus attempted to tell the eager Sloths some of his most exciting adventures, but in humility he spent more time talking about the friends he had made and their contributions to his success.

Like Junior Ground Sloth, the Sloth Cousins were still young enough to attend the arrival of Stegosaurus Claus with much excitement and when Junior heard the mention of Stegosaurus Claus he jumped up and down with his Cousins and danced in circles with each other as they celebrated, a rare moment of excitement for a Sloth.

"Now calm down, children," said Widow Ground Sloth. "Calm down and take a moment to reflect upon the true Reason for the Season and be thankful for all that you have. Being still and reflecting upon the beauty of the world and the blessings we are given by almighty God is proper."

"You are so right, Mama," said Junior Ground Sloth. "It is unfortunate that Woolly Mammoth could not be here."

"Yes, he was invited, but Stegosaurus' cousin Kentrosaurus told me that Woolly Mammoth was meditating at the ruins of Tanis, the Biblical city of Zion. He felt this was appropriate given the significance of the Day to be there and is not aware of our invitation. Kentrosaurus advised us to ask again when Woolly Mammoth returns." explained Widow Ground Sloth. "I am sure he will come to us, or we to him, and be enlightened by his Sermon."

After spending the evening visiting with friends new and old, and overstuffed on Avocados, Stegosaurus took his leave of the party, wishing all a Merry Christmas.

"Will you not stay with us through Christmas?" asked Cousin Ground Sloth the Older. Junior and Cousin Ground Sloth the Younger also asked him to stay but he politely declined.

He was exhausted from the day's activities as well as his earlier visit with Dimetrodon and the other synapsids who live in California. He began to long for his cave in Colorado and the peace and quiet that Woolly Mammoth must now be experiencing.

However the Sloths were very persuasive, and finally Stegosaurus agreed to remain in West Virginia with his Sloth friends for the rest of the night and up until Epiphany.

He was sleeping when Stegosaurus Claus arrived, and therefore did not see his Brazilian friend OR Spinosaurus. He knew Stegosaurus Claus had been because the entire party of Sloths had been given presents of Avocado seeds, Groves of Avocado Trees, or even bushels of Avocados, for those who do not live where the trees may grow and thrive.

Stegosaurus expressed to his friends as he departed that he had never experienced a slower, or merrier Christmas in all his millions of years.

In mid December Stegosaurus received a letter from his friend Congressaurus Triceratops.

"I am so delighted to discover a letter from Congressaurus Triceratops," said Stegosaurus. "How nice of him to take the time to write in the middle of Christmas season."

Congresssaurus' Triceratops letter reads thus:

"Dear Stegosaurus,

I hope this letter finds you doing well.

I have, with our friend Steve Beaver, opened my retirement project, S. Beaver and Three Horned Lizard Greenery LLC. It has, so far, been a success the last two and a half months, and I'd like to ask your advice on a matter of great importance, if it does not take any time away from your holiday plans."

Steve and I would like to combine a business trip to the State of California with a vacation. Why California ? You may ask. Well there are specific trees I want to bring back to our shop native to California. Ones that will not grow in the Wyoming climate. Also, Steve would like to come along and meet our friend Dimetrodon at the Dinosaur and Mythical Creature Retirement Caves Complex in California. We would be much obliged if you'd come along to introduce him to Dimetrodon his fellow synapsids, and Nyasassaurus. We really enjoy your company, but if it will disturb Holiday plans you already have, we understand. Should you decide to visit California with us, Steve and I are traveling beginning on December 15th inst; We'll meet you in San Diego for dinner, if you'd like, and then we'll proceed to Culver City, and the Dinosaur and Mythical Creature Retirement Home.

With kind regards, I am your obedient servant,

Congresssaurus Triceratops WY ~ Ret."

"I did have plans to spend Christmas with Widow Ground Sloth and her son, Junior, but I thought if I stomped forthrightly, I could spend the Holidays with all of my friends. I love a good party." said Stegosaurus.

I arrived in San Diego California on December 17th, it was easy to find Congresssaurus Triceratops as he was eating a grove of Washingtonia filifera with Steve Beaver sitting on his back.

"Hello, Triceratops and Mr. Beaver!" Stegosaurus exclaimed. I stomped up to my friends as fast as I could go, which as we have established is still pretty slow, but we were so delighted to see each other.

"I am overjoyed that your business is doing well," said Stegosaurus to Triceratops and Steve Beaver.

"Yes, things are going very well, " replied Steve Beaver. "Last week we were visited by Corythosaurus; we invited him to look over our finances and confirmed that indeed we were in the black."

"Corythosaurus is a hard working and loyal accountant," Stegosaurus observed. "I am pleased that he has served you well, Mr. Beaver."

"Let us go now to Culver City and visit Dimetrodon," said Triceratops, "If you have had your fill of these delicious trees. Are you sure you don't want any, Mr. Beaver?"

"I am fine with the salad supply I brought from Wyoming, Thank you," replied Steve Beaver.

And with that, Steve Beaver and the dinosaurs set off for Culver City and it was not long before they met Edaphosaurus and Nyasasaurus at the entrance to the Dinosaur and Mythical Creature Screen Actor Guild Retirement Caves.

"Greetings !!" Exclaimed Nyasasaurus as he ran up to them. "Stegosaurus, what brings you to Sunny California this fine day?"

"I am here to visit you and all my friends in California; Triceratops wanted me to introduce our mammal friend Steve Beaver to Dimetrodon," said Stegosaurus.

"Welcome, Stegosaurus, Triceratops," said Edaphosaurus. "Triceratops, who is the mammal on your back?"

Triceratops replied, "This is Steve Beaver, a wise mammal who has helped me build my dream of owning a Greenery in my retirement from Congress. We are doing very well."

"Pleased to meet you, Edaphosaurus," said Steve Beaver. "Is this cave complex the home of Dimetrodon? I should very much like to meet him."

"Yes, it is, " confirmed Edaphosaurus.

"You look a lot like him," observed Steve Beaver.

"I do. We have similar characteristics and we're both synapsids. You will meet him anon; but first be introduced to our friend Moschops, who is also of the synapsid family, and the oldest dinosaur the mammals have discovered, Nyasasaurus."

"Welcome to California, Mr. Beaver. We have heard so much about you from our mutual friends Stegosaurus and Triceratops. It is so nice to finally meet you in person," said Moschops. "I'm a synapsid like Edaphosaurus and Dimetrodon; we all live at the Dinosaur and Mythical Creature Screen Actor Guild Retirement Home because of our advanced ages. Still, don't be fooled; we can be very spry when the situation warrants it!"

Very good to know, Moschops," said Steve Beaver.

"I would like you also to meet Nyasasaurus, one of the oldest Dinosaurs yet discovered," said Moschops.

"Hello, Mr. Beaver, I'm Nyasasaurus, as was advertised I am one of the oldest Dinosaurs from the early Triassic which makes me 240 ~ 260 Million years old; how old are you?"

"I am 62," said Steve Beaver.

"Well, you will catch up to me before long," said Nyasasaurus.

"So, where is Dimetrodon?" asked Steve Beaver.

"He's down by the seashore fishing," said Nyasasaurus. "We'll take you there, all of us, together," continued Nyasasaurus.

"Come climb up on my back," said Stegosaurus to Steve Beaver. "Triceratops will come with us to meet Dimetrodon."

"Let us all go together to the seashore," said Edaphosaurus.

And thus the Dinosaurs and Synapsids stomped forthrightly down to the seashore, as Steve Beaver ably jumped from Triceratops' back to Stegosaurus, and fit himself comfortably between Stegosaurus' spiff, sexy plates.

"I'm originally from South Africa," said Nyasasaurus. "As is Moschops; Dimetrodon came here from Texas while Edaphosaurus originally hails from the United States although he's also been discovered in parts of Europe. "

"None of us come originally from California," said Edaphosaurus though I have adopted the Texas mannerisms because Professor Cope discovered me in the same fossil bed as Dimetrodon only a few years apart."

"When I heard you wanted to meet Dimetrodon I told him you enjoyed fishing," said Triceratops. "Thus, Dimetrodon decided to do something today he knew you would enjoy... fishing," said Triceratops.

"It's nice to have common interests," observed Steve Beaver.

"Dimetrodon tries really hard to find common ground with mammals since he has mammalian characteristics himself."

Dimetrodon was soon in sight catching the sun as he sat on a rock overlooking the ocean tide.

"Hail, Dimetrodon !!" exclaimed Triceratops. "We have brought Steve Beaver to meet you."

"Oh! I am so pleased!" exclaimed Dimetrodon.

"Hi, there !!" waved Steve Beaver from the back of Stegosaurus.

"Don't worry, I won't eat youOR Stegosaurus. I know my teeth look scary, but I'm really a soft - hearted apex predator of the Early Permian Age."

"Um, okay ..." said Steve Beaver, a little uneasily.

"Look, I heard how much you like fishing so I went to the seashore today and caught you something."

"How did you know I like fishing?" asked Steve Beaver.

"I asked Triceratops .... I hope that was okay." said Dimetrodon.

"So why did you want to meet me, out of all the other prehistoric animals around today?"

"Sure, it's all right," said Steve responding to Dimetrodon's first question.

To the second, he said, "I've met a few dinosaurs by now, but I haven't met a synapsid before plus I wanted to go out to see California."

"Well, we are very distant relations, given my mammalian characteristics," said Dimetrodon. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Beaver."

"Likewise," said Steve.

"Come look at what I caught for you, I hope you like them," said Dimetrodon.

"I am sure I will, I enjoy fishing a lot," said Steve Beaver.

"I got you something special," said Dimetrodon. "A real Texas sized gift."

"I'll take you down to the seashore," said Stegosaurus to Steve. "I'd like to get a drink of water."

So, Stegosaurus, Steve Beaver and Dimetrodon went down to the seashore, while Triceratops, Nyasasaurus and the other synapsids followed behind.

Dimetrodon went down to the rock ledge he'd been on just before Steve arrived, and pulled out a large burlap sack which had something moving in it; Dimetrodon quickly opened it with his teeth. Everyone was surprised by the contents as they were expecting fish. Only Stegosaurus missed the reveal, as he was at the seashore drinking water.

To the surprise of everyone, especially Steve Beaver, out of the sack came not fish, but two living surfers.

"Hey man, this monster I am sure, is going to eat us!" the first one exclaimed loudly.

"Help!" said the second, though they were both less alarmed once they saw Steve there, realizing that they were most likely to be saved, even with the arrival of the other dinosaurs and synapsids. A wide eyed Stegosaurus returned from the seashore, too stunned to say anything, but ready to use his cool spiky tail if the surfers were going to be harmed.

"I caught you a special treat," said Dimetrodon to Steve Beaver.

"Please don't let the dinosaurs eat us!" pleaded the second man to Steve.

"I'm not a dinosaur, but I play one on TV, occasionally," said Dimetrodon.

The surfers started screaming in fear.

"Calm down," Steve spoke to them. "No one is going to harm you."

Then, Steve spoke to Dimetrodon, "Thank you Dimetrodon, but please let these surfers go, I am a mammal, I don't eat other mammals. I appreciate your gift, your heart is in the right place, it's just that mammals, well, most mammals anyway, are not cannibals."

"Oh, really?" said Dimetrodon, genuinely surprised.

The surfers were still breathing heavy with fear, but trying to crawl away quietly.

"Please let the surfers go." asked Steve.

"I was thinking maybe I'll keep them, even though I have mammalian characteristics I still like to eat an occasional surfer from time to time even if they get stuck in my teeth."

The surfers lay down in the sand, stopped crawling and lay there, screaming. "We're going to die !!"

Steve went quickly to their side, and spoke to the surfers quietly. None of the prehistoric animals could hear the conversation, but at the end of it, the surfers got up and without looking back, ran as far away from the beach as they could get.

Then, Steve Beaver turned to Dimetrodon and said, "I know you meant well, Dimetrodon; let's spend the afternoon together fishing, I'll teach you about the kinds of fish that mammals eat."

"It's a deal," said Dimetrodon.

So it was that day that Steve Beaver made a new prehistoric friend, and Nyasassaurus turned to Triceratops and asked, "How is it that Steve Beaver is not afraid like the surfers were?"

Triceratops rejoined, "Steve has a great deal of experience in being around dinosaurs. He's also been in the Marine Corps and served in a war. He's not afraid of much, not even Dimetrodon who is very scary looking to other mammals. "

The Dinosaurs, the Synapsids, and Steve Beaver remained there socializing well after sundown.

Stegosaurus bid his farewell then, at sunset as he had to stomp back home before going to West Virginia to visit Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior for the Christmas Season.

Final Mammoth Populations Suffered From Genetic Meltdown

Scientists Briefly Reactivated the Cells of a 28,000-Year-Old Woolly Mammoth

Virginia Tech Professor Finds, Names New Tiny Tyrannosaurus Rex Cousin

Note: The Roanoke Times website is under a paywall.

Another Bat-Winged Dinosaur Has Been Found: Ambopteryx

New Dinosaur Species With Spiky Backbone Discovered in Argentina

Fossils Of Giant New Species Of Sea Creature Found On South Australia's Kangaroo Island

"By the time I returned from visiting Wyoming happy for my friends Congressaurus Triceratops and Steve Beaver, I was very determined to remain home, stay in my cave and eat aloe plants, only going out to sharpen my cool, spiky tail. Ready to stretch and rest my weary claws, I gathered some aloe plants, and then, word arrived of a new adventure and more than likely, a new friend," said Stegosaurus.

Science is always discovering new things about dinosaurs, and even new species of dinosaurs; every day the knowledge about us seems to expand; I'm not sure of the reason why I live in a cave or why I often exhibit a handful of other outdated dinosaur characteristics; this is too much for my walnut sized brain to comprehend.Nonetheless, we all get along through our long lives, and occasionally happily meet new friends. The scientists told me in their papers that I was to expect a visitor from the country of Spain within the hour. I did wait with an increased level of anticipation; if I could read clocks, I'd have checked mine constantly. The papers related to me that the announcement of this Spanish friend's discovery had been printed on July 18th, and he had heard of my adventures and immense popularity and wanted to meet me. I do hope that I live up to my legend.

Shortly I saw from my cave the slow approach of an Ornithopod, and once I realized he was looking for me, I came out from my cave, to make myself known.

"Stegosaurus?" he asked.

"I am, are you the guest I was told to expect?" asked Stegosaurus.

"Indeed," my guest confirmed. "As soon as I was discovered and classified I stomped forthrightly from my native Spain to meet you. I have heard so much about you and very pleased to make your acquaintance."

"What is your name?" asked Stegosaurus.

"It is Oblitosaurus. "My name means "Brunel's Forgotten Lizard" in tribute to a famous filmmaker Luis Brunel ( 1900 ~ 1983 ) who was born in the Spanish province where I was discovered: Teruel Province, in the region of Aragon, in Eastern Spain."

"Ah, we will have something in common!" exclaimed Stegosaurus, "..for this is where my Spanish cousin Dacenturus was discovered a few years ago!"

"Very true, said the newly classified Ornithopod, delighted to see Stegosaurus' excited reaction.

"There are a good number of other dinosaurs discovered in the same area as myself, so much so that after I was discovered my fossil was put aside so long I was nearly forgotten, hence, the forgotten reference in my name."

"Aha!" exclaimed Stegosaurus. Science mammals with their larger brains are so smart! At least, most of the time! Can you tell me any further details about yourself?"

"Oh yes, I can!" rejoined Oblitosaurus. "The most interesting thing is, I think, that I am a newly discovered type of Ornithopod; The lead author of my study is a mammal known as Sergio Sanchez Fenollosa; there are two others, Francisco Javier Verdu, and Alberto Cobos. I am an apparently very large Ornithopod as Ornithopods go; I am about 23 feet long and I lived 145 to 150 Million Years Ago."

"Oh, we shall have a lot to talk about as we are contemporaries. I am so pleased to make your acquaintance," said Stegosaurus.

"And I, you," said Oblitosaurus.

"Now just before your arrival I was settling down to a nice meal of relaxing aloe. Do you eat plants, by chance?"

"Truly, indeed, I am a herbivore."

"Today is a lucky day, for me !! Come, good friend, let us dine together; I will be glad to tell you anything about me you'd like to know as we dine."

Stegosaurus was excited to meet a new friend. They ate aloe plants together on the hills overlooking has favorite cave. He knew he'd found the kind of friend he'd waited many millions of years to find. With a promise to introduce him to Dacenturus at his earliest convenience, they set off together to dine the afternoon into the evening hours.

When I returned from the land of Japan in late July, I certainly intended to remain in my Colorado cave and rest," said Stegosaurus. "However the afternoon following my return I received a communication from Congresssaurus Tricertatops ( Wy ) ( ret ), who told me of a celebration he was planning, and asked me, with our mammal friend Steve Beaver, to be present. I was informed that Mr. Beaver was to arrive in Colorado that very evening, and Triceratops asked if I could take him the rest of the way, from Colorado to Wyoming. I, of course, readily agreed to do so.

When Steve Beaver arrived, he said he knew all about Congresssaurus Triceratops' celebratory plans, but was asked by Triceratops to keep it secret, so that they could reveal the secret together in due time. The only hint Steve gave was that we had spoken about this secret before, on our way to Canada, but that was so long ago, and my brain so small I could not remember any details. This was okay, as I am very fond of surprises, at least good ones, anyway, and I was assured this was a good one. So, with that, Steve Beaver climbed upon my back, and we set off for the State of Wyoming. Specifically, we stomped to the State capitol, Cheyenne. It was here that we met Congressaurus Triceratops, who heartily welcomed us to his native State, where he had served as representative just over 150 years, till his retirement in the year 2018.

"Friends Stegosaurus, Steve Beaver, please be welcome !" said Congresssaurus Triceratops.

"Before we reveal our surprise, let us take a wonderful tour of the Nation's first National Forest, The Shoshone. You will find this impressive, all 2,500,000 acres. "

Being patient, and naturally intrigued by forests, I naturally agreed, especially as all the travel had made me very hungry.

Congresssaurus Triceratops became tour guide, and impressed us with his oratory skills, perfected over many millions of years in public service in many forms of Government.

"The Shoshone National Forest was declared protected by the mammals' President Benjamin Harrison in 1891, only a couple years after I was discovered; the forest protections were further expanded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. The Shoshone forest is named for the Shoshone Indians, just as our State capitol, Cheyenne, is named for Indians; these tribes are native to the area. This forest is part of the Yellowstone Timberland reserve, including the Wind River Range and Gannett Peak, the largest mountain in the State. Within this area lies the Wind River Indian Reservation, where live the Shoshone Tribe, as well as the Arapahoe. Just to the South, lies The Oregon Trail, a passage significant to mammals in the 19th century West, when they traveled by brother Horse and covered wagon. The first European mammals to explore this area were John Coulter and Jim Bridger, around the year 1808. They documented the natural wildlife, which largely remains the same even unto this day. This will include, cougars, Grizzly bears, moose, elk, and of course, myself. I was discovered and classified by Professor O.C. Marsh within this State in the year 1889."

"Mummy cave here within the forest was rediscovered by the mammals in 1957; in this cave lived an early form of mammals, about 9,000 years ago, which is a long time in the lifespan of mammals. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by President Jimmy Carter in 1981. There is a small amount of gold in this area; it was mined with limited success in the late 19th century and though the mine closed up entirely by 1907, panning for gold is still allowed here to this day. in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built roads, hiking trails and campgrounds, which increased visitation to the area by tourists after World War II.

As vegetarians, Stegosaurus, you and I will take great interest in the many trees native to this area; these include but are not limited to the Pinus contorta; Juniperus scopulorum; Populus tremuloides; Abies lasiocarpa; Picea engelmannii; Pinus albicaulis; and Pinus flexilis. In the lower elevations we may find Populus sect. Aigeiros; and the Salix.

"Well, this sounds wonderful," said Stegosaurus. "Can we eat any of those trees?"

"It would not be a good idea," said Congresssaurus Triceratops. " This IS a National Forest."

"Let's go somewhere where we can eat; I am feeling some appetite for a meal of grass, and there's a nice meadow where I'd like to make my main announcement with Steve Beaver."

"The Shoshone National Forest has been interesting, but I am eager to announce our plans," said Steve, who was still riding on the back of Stegosaurus.

The dinosaurs stomped to a meadow in the State capitol of Wyoming, and when they had grazed and trimmed the meadow Then, Congresssaurus Triceratops declared it was time to make his announcement, and to take part in it, Steve climbed down from Stegosaurus' back and stood beside Triceratops.

"I am here this afternoon in our State capitol of Cheyenne to announce to everyone here and to make it known to the general populace that being retired from politics, I am now a gardener, and have gone into business with my mammal friend Steve Beaver here, to open a greenery; Mr. Beaver is very smart; he told Stegosaurus and myself how we couldn't really extract sunlight from cucumbers, and thereby saved us a lot of effort that would have been ultimately pointless. Without his larger brain, we might have wasted millions upon millions of years !! Mr. Beaver has a great sense for business, which will benefit any dinosaur who wants to do well, since our brains are relatively so small. He is very skilled in growing things, particularly avocado trees, and has an interest in creating hybrid gourds."

"Thank you for your kind words, Triceratops," said Steve Beaver. "I have done many interesting things in my life so far, but I haven't yet tried going into business with a Triceratops so this will be a new adventure for us both; I look forward to working with you."

"I expect we will start by growing the trees found within the Shoshone National Forest, as well as avocados and .... your gourd experiments," said Triceratops.

"I am pleased to attempt these things with you, Triceratops," said Steve. " I am sure our business with thrive. Thank you for your trust in me, and to Stegosaurus for being here today".

And there was much rejoicing.

Bonjour, je m'appelle Loricatosaurus !!!

     

Au début du mois Septembre, il y a quelques semaines, j'ai eu le plaisir de recevoir une lettre de mon cousin Stegosaurus.  Il m'a raconté que lui et l'Agence de secours aux sinistrés Stegosaurus s'étaient rendus à Honshu, au Japon, la plus grande île du pays, parce qu'il y avait eu un tremblement de terre à l'est de la ville la plus peuplée. 4 mammifères ont disparu et 97 d'entre eux ont été blessés.  Comme elle en a l'habitude partout où elle va, l'agence de secours aux sinistrés Stegosaurus a aidé les mammifères à reconstruire leurs maisons et a prêté main forte au personnel médical d'urgence en cas de besoin.

   

Le stégosaure a réfléchi à sa visite de l'été dernier en Chine, me rappelant tous nos cousins là-bas ; il a ensuite suggéré que le Japon pourrait être un endroit où je pourrais aller me chercher, et j'ai convenu avec lui que c'était un bon endroit pour me chercher.  J'en ai donc parlé à mon mari alors que nous mangions un soir des plantes d'aloès sur du fromage, et il a approuvé la suggestion de Stegosaurus et partagé mon nouveau zèle pour les pays asiatiques.  Après notre repas, nous avons donc construit un radeau et sommes allés directement vers l'Orient.

  

Honshu est historiquement connue sous le nom d'Akitsushima, qui signifie île de la libellule. 81,3 % de la population de mammifères du Japon y vit, soit 104 millions de mammifères.  La majeure partie de l'industrie japonaise est située le long de la côte sud de Honshu ; dans le nord-ouest, l'économie repose sur la pêche et l'agriculture.  Le mont Fuji et le lac Biwa se trouvent également sur Honshu.  La question à laquelle nous répondrons ici est de savoir si je suis ici ou non. C'est ce que nous allons essayer de découvrir. En ce qui concerne le temps, Honshu bénéficie d'un climat subtropical agréable.  Traduit en anglais, le nom signifie "province principale". Le plus grand sommet est le mont Fuji, qui s'élève à 3 776 pieds

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Le tremblement de terre qui s'est produit le 15 mars n'est pas la première fois que la région doit faire face aux effets de la colère soudaine et violente de la Terre.  En 2011, un important tremblement de terre a fait bouger la partie nord-est de l'île de 17 pieds.  D'une magnitude de 9,01, il s'agit du quatrième plus grand tremblement de terre au monde depuis le début des relevés en 1900.  Trois réacteurs nucléaires ont fondu, ce qui a entraîné une catastrophe très importante à la centrale nucléaire de Fukushima Daiichi.

    

Le climat ici est magnifiquement subtropical, très semblable aux jours où nous sommes sortis de nos coquilles pour la première fois ; je ne saurais trop vous le recommander.

 

Mon mari et moi avons fouillé divers endroits de Honshu à ma recherche, et malheureusement, nous ne m'avons trouvée nulle part.    Déçus, nous avons décidé de nous reposer en cherchant de la nourriture.

   

Nous avons trouvé un bosquet de ciguës du sud du Japon, ou Tsuga sieboldii, qui sont des conifères merveilleux. C'était la première fois que nous en mangions dans leur pays d'origine ; nous avons ces arbres en France, où ils sont considérés comme ornementaux par nature et ont été cultivés là-bas et aux États-Unis depuis l'année 1861. Le bosquet que nous avons trouvé était un bosquet d'arbres plus âgés, de sorte que l'écorce était fissurée en carrés et était devenue assez floconneuse, ce qui est normal pour des arbres de ce type et de cet âge. Nous aimons tous les deux manger les petites fleurs rouge cerise de ces arbres ; c'est un plaisir particulier.

    

Je suis déterminé à continuer à me chercher jusqu'à ce que je me trouve. C'est la quête de toute une vie et je continuerai à chercher aussi longtemps que je vivrai.

 

Certaines choses sont éternelles, et d'autres, qui reviennent souvent, s'estompent et disparaissent, comme Apu.

 

"After I celebrated my birthday at home, I planned to remain in Colorado for some time," said Stegosaurus. "However, the emergencies of the times in which I live called me again to float forthrightly to the Orient. This time, to Honshu, Japan. It was necessary to gather together for the first time in a while, The Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency, for the mammals had suffered through a major earthquake there and needed aid."

"I asked all the friends who usually help me in my mammalian aid efforts, and they were eager to be of assistance. These were, of course, Rhedosaurus and his lovely wife Lady Rhedosaurus; Nigersaurus, Brachiosaurus Diplodocus, and Brontosaurus,( who is still having his midlife crisis and changed his name to Apatosaurus; ) Agathaumas and Trachodon, two of the most productive nomen dubium I know; The Moa Birds, whom I had just visited in New Zealand; Western Black Rhino and Woolly Rhino, ( I am so pleased to see that Western Black Rhino is a part of our group; it has helped him considerably in accepting his extinction. And of course, my entire college class, consisting of Stegosaurids like myself."

"The mammals who became extinct as a result of this earthquake are few but the damage to their property, their homes, is great. There was a tsunami threat due to a 7.2 level earthquake issued for the East Coast of Honshu, Japan".

"The Japanese people did not seem surprised to see us; with their legend of Godzilla, I am sure they will be to see us helping them to rebuild. It is possible that they are just so used to dinosaurs running about their cities that nothing surprises them, and they just figure that it can't get any worse. But they will be surprised yet, and I am eager to see their delight at the restoration of their homes and businesses. I'm surprised that they are not fleeing in terror."

The sauropods set themselves to work rebuilding bridges; Rhedosaurus and his wife Lady Rhedosaurus worked at preventing erosion of the shoreline; Agathaumas and Trachodon served as transportation to medical facilities for the injured; Many of my classmates knocked down trees with their cool, spiky tails so that houses could be built for the mammals; and where there were not many trees to do this with, they helped to transport wood that had been imported into the country for the purpose of building.

Western Black Rhino and Woolly Rhino gathered fruit and harvested rice so that the mammals would have something to eat as they endured the rebuilding of their city.

The Moa Birds and I helped to plant a garden, and rice beds, so that the mammals would be able to grow more food; The Moas were impressed by the versatility of my cool, spiky tail; they had seen me use it defensively before, but never as a plow.

"Nice to see you again so soon after your visit to New Zealand," said Moa Bird.

"Thank you for coming all this way to help the Japanese mammals; I know it is a far way for you, and the mammals really need our help."

"It is the least we can do. The truce that you helped broker between ourselves and The Haast's Eagles has been a blessing," said Moa.

"I see that none of you have been eaten since I returned to Colorado, very pleased to see my efforts rewarded so well."

"Thank you for your help," said Moa. "As of now, the truce holds."

While the Moas and I worked, Rhedosaurus and Lady Rhedosaurus were on the seashore hauling sand to arrest the erosion of the beach. When they had worked diligently for over an hour, they decided a break was in order. Rhedosaurus told his wife, "I will head into the sea to see if we can find some sushi for dinner; maybe if we're lucky, we'll find an elderly paleontologist in a diving bell."

"I'm glad you've taken to sushi," said Lady Rhedosaurus, "You consumption of policemen has really dropped. I'm proud of you."

"Policemen kind of taste like sushi, so it's an easy substitute," said Rhedosaurus.

"I thought they tasted like chicken," said Lady Rhedosaurus.

"That too, at times. It depends," said Rhedosaurus.

"Well, look at the work we've done from the water; I hope the mammals appreciate it," said Lady Rhedosaurus.

"I'm sure they do, the Japanese are a very polite people. I've never tried eating one, though, have you, honey?" asked Rhedosaurus.

"No, and that is only because we are here to help the Japanese not eat them; a meal of Japanese mammals would be very bad for public relations, even if they are very delicious."

"You're right," said Rhedosaurus. "I'll stick to sushi for now. But still, I have no answer to my question,"

"Ah !! You're right," agreed Lady Rhedosaurus. "I have eaten mammals before, but not policemen. I have not gained that particular taste as of yet."

While Rhedosaurus and his wife were on the beach, and I was gardening with the Moa Birds, the sauropods were having a grand time even as they were helping," observed Stegosaurus. Brachiosaurus, rather than hauling wood and stone to build bridges for a time became himself a bridge.

"Mammals tickle when they walk across you," Brachiosaurus advised Diplodocus.

"Thanks for the heads up," said Diplodocus.

"Watch, you two," said Nigersaurus; "I know what you're doing is working quite well, but we need long term solutions; and to that end, Apatosaurus and myself need your help hauling stone for bridge building. Would you please stop playing around and help us out?"

"You're right, Nigersaurus," said Brachiosaurus. "Thank you for keeping us on our toes. We do have work to do; as soon as the mammals on my back pass by, Diplodocus and I will help you."

"I don't mean to be rude; It isn't everyday that I leave the comfort and security of the Niger river and my home, but helping mammals in need is a great cause," said Nigersaurus.

"So it was that we all remained in Japan, rebuilding true to our name of a Disaster Relief Agency," said Stegosaurus. "Eventually my classmates and I had to leave in order to return to Colorado for the Fall Semester. The other dinosaurs and Megafauna remained in Japan through the rest of the summer and returned in late September.

As I floated on my raft, forthrightly home, I had a thought and decided to suggest to Loricatosaurus that she could float forthrightly to Japan and set about looking for herself," said Stegosaurus. "There's a lot of history on these islands I don't see how the potential discovery of Loricatosaurus' fossil would change or be of any harm".