"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
03/13/2015 at 17:25 • Filed to: Michigan, turtle
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"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
03/13/2015 at 17:25 • Filed to: Michigan, turtle | 2
| 6 |
A true, non-automotive story at that. And of course, the only witness to the event does not remember because by-golly dad, why not? I also tend to memorize anything out of the ordinary, and never anything my wife tells me.
I have no idea how long ago it was, perhaps middle school, it was a time when I looked forward to fishing (HS I sort of lost interest, :/). Plus every summer we went "camping" in rvs at the same campground, so it's hard to distinguish between the different years.
Anyways my dad and I went out in grandpa's boat, the one pictured above. It's like a bass tracker, and can only seat two people. My dad and I went out on Sandy Bottom Lake (that's its nickname) in the boat. We were roughly south of the drop off point that is at the north side of the lake. We were enjoying ourselves, and I was probably catching crappie at the time because they are numerous at the drop off point. And that's when I saw it.
I have no idea who saw it first, dad or I, I just remember seeing it. A massive turtle. It swam right under our small, two person boat. I didn't get to see it go under the boat, but I did see its massive shell heading underneath it. I quickly spun my head around to the other side of the boat and saw its head. I don't remember the exact size of its head, but I do remember that my whole fist could fit in its mouth. After that, my memory is hazy. I just remember "huge turtle".
Looking back, it probably was a snapper, as there are only two types of turtles in the lake, snappers and painters. To give you an idea of its size, it's shell was just bigger than the boat's width.
I have never seen it again....though I don't go out on the boat much, so there's that. Of course, this was 10+ years ago, I'm not even sure if it's still alive.
Though I do remember, when I visited friends in the area, I told them this story and they said they've seen it walk across the field to another lake. I mentioned it to my dad last year, he didn't have the foggiest idea of what I was talking about, *grumble*. I still remember it, all these years later. I mean, as a kid, that's insanely cool! How could I forget?
I guess I'll telling you all this, because I live on the grounds now ( in a house, not rv), and after reading a post about giant turtles my head started spinning....I'd love to get a pic of it. Grandpa has even left his boat for me to use for fishing. And the lake is really small. If you had a jet-ski, you can go from north to south in under a minute.
Hmm, I think I may have a goal this summer...
E. Julius
> zeontestpilot
03/13/2015 at 17:40 |
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Great story, those snappers can get huge!
Reminds me of a time I went sailing with a buddy two summers ago. We were out just tooling around on the lake and we saw this log sticking out of the water. Thought we'd sail on by and check it out. Turns out it was a MASSIVE muskie sticking his head about 10" out of the water. When we sailed on by he flipped around and dove down, but we caught a glimpse of the rest of him. His body must have been at least 9" in diameter, maybe more. You never know what's lurking under the water!
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zeontestpilot
> E. Julius
03/13/2015 at 18:13 |
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Thanks! :D. I'm glad I had the boat as a size reference, otherwise he'd keep getting bigger with each retelling, :).
I like your story too. It makes you wondered about what's still to be discovered here on earth.
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E. Julius
> zeontestpilot
03/13/2015 at 18:16 |
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Haha very true about about the "growing" turtle. It's funny, being from Michigan I never really thought much of swimming in lakes, but some people who aren't used to it get really freaked out by the idea of swimming in a body of water inhabited by who knows what. Have you seen any of those pictures of creatures discovered in the deepest parts of the ocean? Those things are crazy!
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zeontestpilot
> E. Julius
03/13/2015 at 19:28 |
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Ha, the lake I saw the turtle, is the same lake with a swimming area! Even know the idea of a massive snapper possibly at my feet is intimidating, lol.
I actually really enjoy cryptozology, :), so I know what you're talking about! I believe a lot of times its badly decomposed orcas, basking sharks, sperm whale. But there was one that was odd thou...It had a trunk and was covered with white hair...I forget what it was called though.... :/
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zeontestpilot
> E. Julius
03/13/2015 at 21:29 |
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I remember now, the creature was called Trunko . I thought it was interesting because the description was so unique.
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E. Julius
> zeontestpilot
03/13/2015 at 21:35 |
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Haha that thing sounds crazy