Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 12, 2019

What positive note will Dez bring this time?

Fortunately, squirrels don’t gnaw through stew cans.

Squirrel soup.

Squirrels? Really?? Better be on the lookout for skunks and raccoons as well!

I woulda thought that at least Dez would know not to leave food out.

See – Second frame – all black – but they are obviously not naked.

Mini-bears!!

Maybe they shouldn’t have cut off Squirrel Girl in traffic on the way out here. She always gets her revenge eventually.

Well, no gorgeous waterfall or roaring creek or a meadow full of beautiful wildflowers. Dez’s goal was simple – just be quiet and be one with Mother Nature. I grew up on the mountains – my parents owned a cabin. We also went camping often. Dad was an avid fisherman and I accompanied him on his boat and swam around the boat in the lake while he fished. I caught crayfish with bail and nets. Do you know salt kills crayfish? Once a crayfish clawed the baby finger of a little kid and she cried and cried and nobody could figure how to get it off. Dad went to his camper and came back with a can of Morton salt, poured it on the crayfish and it fell off and died. I took some tadpoles from the lake and watched it turn into baby frogs. Dad made me take them back to the lake and release them. I caught a mama horned toad before she had babies in my shoebox. Mom was furious but dad said I had to keep it in the box for a little while because the mama would have had her babies in a safe place in nature but I took her home so it was my responsibility now (I’m not sure if he was correct, though). So many memories. Luann and Bernice need to experience real nature rather than sitting and dozing. It is a nice hour-long break from civilization but they did not quite experience nature.

Nature will provide——-roasted squirrel anyone?

They should pack it in, find a motel with a pool and sip wine. Before they do something else stupid.

In tomorrow’s first panel, we see Sonya Squirrel chomping trail mix and watching cute kitten You Tube videos on LuAnn’s iPad. Simon Squirrel is (fittingly) converting Bernice’s recorder into a garbage disposal.

Is it just me? Or does Dez look not the least bit shocked at the ruined campsite? Probably say something about “giving back to nature”.

Larry, Moe, and Squirrley better realize that the approaching and unstoppable dark forces have not looked favorably on their venture. They are not “in the zone”, and must escape while they can.

At least it is not a bear that decided to sleep in the car after getting it’s belly full.

Here’s hoping tomorrow’s saga will make these last 2 weeks of boredom worthwhile.

That second panel i did not know Dez could go that deep.

Man, what a squirrelly arc this has turned out to be.

So…. hatchback left open, ergo interior light on… do that during a longer dayhike or something and this could become a very long stay.

Why would you leave to car wide open like that? Food just sitting there? They are fortunate that the only nuisance they encountered were squirrels. Bears like free snacks as well. The up side to all of this is they will have a story to share for years to come over beer and pizza.

One of my customers I’ve delivered food to about half a dozen times, we’ve texted extensively, yet I’ve never met her in person because I always end up delivering late and leaving the food at her front door (her family turns in early and she doesn’t want them disturbed). Since her place is out in the boonies, I initially worried about coyotes finding the stuff before she could get to it, then realized that wasn’t the biggest risk.

Coyotes are kind of picky about what they’ll eat. Javelinas, on the other hand, will go for just about anything.

Well, the hatchback door is open and, hopefully, there is no surprise waiting for them – like a bear or some other animal – raccoon, skunk (now that would be fitting – nature “providing” its own “sweet perfume”).

“Hey, great idea! Let’s walk off for an hour of nature-appreciation and leave the car unlocked and wide open. Really cool, right?”

Actually, this happened to me. We left a melon on the camping table for diner later. When we got back from fishing for a few hours, we found the melon had a golfball-size hole in the side and was completely hollowed out. We suspect it was chipmunks ( not Alvin and his boys).

Awww. What a cute gang of raiders squirrels♡ Yes, Mother Nature has a great sense of irony. It’s interesting to see that, away from her phone, Bernice relaxes so much to falls asleep. I’m curious to see how Luann will react to the raid.

Typical, and unsurprising. Though the “realist” should have thought of this possibility instead of yakking into her phone all the time?

Who DIDN’T see this coming?

Maybe tomorrow’s strip will find a bear attacking them where they stand, scarfing them down for a snack. Hey, it’s just a thought…

Tune in tomorrow when all of the electronic devices are dead and the car won’t start.

They should be happy for small favors and glad they weren’t bears! As bears commonly do like to raid camps! Although squirrels can be menaces as well at times.

Squirrels aren’t that destructive. Raccoons, however, could easily make a mess like this…

That ‘no-tech’ break – IT WAS A TRAP!

Obviously Bernice is still dozing off, she’s looking at a watch she’s not wearing.

something bigger than a squirrel opened that cooler. carefully look around.

Don’t blame the wildlife. The blame goes to those who have no clue how to survive in the wild. In fact, if they had left their car door wide open like that in “civilization” they still would’ve lost their stuff, albeit to less worthy creatures.

Well at least We now Know the gals brought food. Relax ladies. Squirrels are fun to watch. We have six of them in our back yard that use our wooden fence as a maintain thoroughfare.

In the meantime, Dez can acquaint you with the concept of “fasting and cleansing the soul.”

Ladies, check yourselves for ticks.

This confirms that the girls are half nuts.

. K I fear this arc is not going to end tomorrow.

Going to the glen also taught them the importance of storing your food supplies where natures friends can’t get at them.

The exact same thing happened to me. Back in the 70s I was a part of a group of middle schoolers camping at the base of Mt. Ranier. We left our unpacked backpacks at the campsite for a couple of hours while we went exploring. When we returned, we found that marmots (woodchucks) had invaded the camp and chewed holes in each backpack to get the food not in tin cars. It was an interesting lesson that bears were not the only woodland creature that might want your food.

So if my time frame is correct, they have only been in the “Wilderness” for about 5 hours. Have they reached their limit? Will they pack up and find a hotel? Will Jack arrive in a rented RV? All this and more next month!

Aha! The bear showed up! And he brought all of his squirrel friends along!

We would tell the scouts not to bring food and snacks to camp. The raccoons and opossums were waiting to clean them out when we got there.

SQUIRREL !!!!!!!

Omg theyre all Naive

Time to stop bucking the odds for a happy return to nature, and go home. Unless, the car won’t start or Jack comes to the rescue with some modern equipment.

Looking like we may be seeing the end of this arc, don’t know how much more G&K can take this one past getting the team home and talking about things. Ok, maybe another week if he wants to push Bernice further (let’s hope not!). Next arc Shannon?!? or are we back to Gun and Bets or Tiffany and work, or Luann and “dating”. How about a non sequitur moment like Mr. Gray and Gun’s mom or something with the firestation or the Fuse.

You know, it looks bad, but the only food the squirrels appear to have gotten was the trail mix – the clothes are scattered but apparently intact – it’s a mess, but one that can be cleaned up. The trip should continue tomorrow – with further hitches, to be sure.

Squirrels? They are so lucky it’s not a bear.

They know virtually nothing about camping. The first rule of thumb is don’t leave out supplies where critters can get access to it. Second rule of thumb is not to abandon your campsite. This is not going to end well.

Time for a HERO to arrive!

Fried squirrel for supper.

The only lesson here. Never rely on someone camping knowledge that only brings crystal powder along. BTW: Those squirrels look like they’ve already found it.

GnK have only one day to save the episode. They missed the opportunity to have one or more of the trio running from something screaming “Eek!” – clothed or unclothed. No skinny-dipping. No after dark sequence… yet? No noises in the night. No caught in a sudden downpour. According to brother BJShipely1 there should be at least one near death panel!

So far. Ho & Hum.

Dumb, dumber, and dumbest. take your pick

Wiley Bears?

Russ, get my hammer.

Is there a bear anywhere near? Squirrels are quite aggressive, but being able to open a closed cooler would be a stretch. Possible, but not likely. But there is so much projection here I will not participate, this arc has a point, and how it relates to real world camping is not it. I don’t think the arc is over though, how they recover, are there more “suprises” and will they be rescued? I STILL think Jack, Nil, and Tara will show up.

A couple days ago, someone (roz or cap9?) said that the purpose of this arc was to ridicule these women. I could not agree more.

I expressed the fear, again, a couple days ago, that Dez, in particular, was going to be singled out for “punishment for her exuberance,” I think I said.

Today, G&K have done it again: Enough ammunition for just about everyone to conclude that these three should never have left the comforts of home.

Along with plenty of commentators declaring that these three should put their tails between their legs and run for their lives.

Well, tomorrow is the big cliff hanger…or was it today?

At least it’s not bears.

Animals eating available food?! Duh

The squirrels are only there because they are driving a VW Rabbit.

It’s interesting that Dez learned the absolute wrong lesson here. She thought the glen taught them that nature will provide for someone who appreciates it, when actually the lesson was “stay alert and keep your wits about you, or your bad day will get worse.”

At some point it stops being carefree optimism and starts being clueless self-delusion.

There are so many comments about GnK belittling there three or denigrating women or some such.

Come on people! It’s just three neophytes out of their experience base. We’ve all been there in one way or another or at one time or another. :o)

When does the rain start

squirrels are there, but I don’t think they can do that much damage. Open a cooler, smash a chair? Maybe raccoons or a bear.

Today on When Squirrels Attack…

Squirrels! … To so many, they are truly: The Demon-Varmint!! :)

Be glad they’re not bears.

That’s known as “sharing the wealth”.

This means extended “no Tech” time, right?

At least it wasn’t bears.

If, as many believe, this is the work of squirrels, is this a crossover with Rose is Rose?

Can’t believe squirrels would do this much damage. Looks more like the work of bears or raccoons! And who wanders off to a glen and leaves their rear hatch open???!!!!

Does anybody of the group know what hey are doing?

Yup. it’s still tiresome.

Lost keys? Battery dead?

Looks like the squirrels also distracted Greg when was working on Luann’s footwear in panel 3.

Little artist mistake Luann one sock longer than other

Share and share alike. This metaphorically illustrates the problems of attempting to care for the entire world while also pointing out that failure to do so inherently leaves others in want. SHEER GENIUS.

That’s why there are “bear boxes.” :-D

6

Oh my…. I cannot believe that ALL THREE of these females were so unfocused to leave their stuff lying around and their vehicle open to the wildlife. This would be the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for me…. I would just head home if I were them…. IF their vehicle starts…. from their silly foolishness shown today…. they probably left the key in the ignition and the radio playing and the headlights on… or didn’t watch the gas gauge and it is well below “E”.

If they do have vehicle troubles….. and presuming their “gizmos” have all ran out of energy by now…. this dynamic trio will make the folks from “Gilligan’s Island” seem like Rhodes Scholars in comparison. :)

Dez is rapidly moving to the top of the list of my favorite characters in this strip.

Time to pack up and go ladies. Maybe do some research before heading out into the wild.

The supermarkets givith, and the squirrels taketh!

If all they were going to do was shut off their tech devices and take a nap under a tree for an hour, couldn’t they have done this at one of the larger city parks? Once naptime is over, and they’re hungry, just get back in the car and drive off to a restaurant, have a good meal and then go home? Nice half day excursion!

When I was in the Boy Scouts, I used to bring all my snacks in a locked ammo box. The ammo box was to keep the critters from taking my snacks. The lock was to keep the other scouts from taking my snacks.

Hey Dez, embrace the best, prepare for the worst.

Looks like the sqirrels ate the top of one of Luann’s boots.

Always leave out a pic-i-nic basket for Yogi and Boo-Boo…

Many moons ago when I was in boy scouts, we camped at Devils Postpile in Calif (Google it, it’s a really cool place). Every night for the four days were there, literally hundreds of mice would overrun or camp. They got into everything. Some got stuck and died in our grease can, anything that wasn’t sealed in metal or hard plastic was fair game. When I went bed I had some candy in my parka pocket. When I woke up I had holes chewed through the pocket. The wiring and upholstery in my Dads VW bus was chewed to check. Ahhhhhh, good times.

Complain to the Ranger. Yogi & Boo Boo strike again.

If those are ground squirrels, then they are probably infested with fleas, especially in the summer. Those in turn can carry bubonic plague, ….

They definitely have a mess on their hands, …

I have never gone camping, and thanks to all you dedicated survivalists, I’m sure I never will. And, I just might have to become a vegetarian, too. Squirrel soup! Are you crapping on my window sill? Get outta’ here with your squirrel soup. “Tiffany, call for a pizza, I’m coming over.”

I suppose they can be thankful that the only thieves around are squirrels. But it looks like these little guys have eaten most of their trail mix. Will they now discover that they forgot to bring can opener so they can’t eat the stew? I’m hoping Dez doesn’t make some remark about foraging for food in the woods.

Too many humans for that and they are far from being able to survive out there.

Frame 1 – Good view of Luann’s legs – her very attractive feature. Frame 3 – Looks like Shannon’s legs.

tree monkey"s?

“Better than bears…….”

Dez’s face suggests that she is not disturbed by this sight, unlike Bernie and Luann. In fact looking closely it almost looks as if she could be smiling.

Too many naysayers and wimps speaking humbug! I say let them tough it out! It’ll be good for them!

Scavenger squirrels merely cleaning up behind the Real Predators?

Beware, girls! Ma Nature is not always your friend!

Who goes camping so unprepared and uneducated? Leave all your food and supplies out in the open? Sure, it’ll be fine. Were Luann and Borenice relying on Jack to keep them safe? Dez is too out there to realize that camping requires skills. Ugh.

Looks like the squirrels also stole Bernice’s watch. See panel 1

So many people mentioned fried squirrel or squirrel soup. Now of course, the girls are lacking oil and a frying pan, fire and water, so all of that is off the menu. My only experience with squirrels is seeing them in a park. They’re pretty fast… they look cute as they’re foraging, then they see you and scamper up a tree. How hard is it (in real life) to catch one? I doubt that Luann and Co. can outrun them, and they can’t just reach out and grab one by hand. They did not bring BB guns or archery equipment (snicker, as if they could use such equipment to begin with). Using the resources they have, can they catch a squirrel using a noose trap? Make a cage trap by tying sticks together to make a cage and then use trail mix as bait? Throw a rock at one?

morons