Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know if Aspen Bed and Aspen Bed 2 is still being manufactured? I remember getting it from Ty Kubin years ago. It was great because it came in huge bales. If it's still around where can I get it. Thanks.
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Steve W.

I have not heard in a very long time. I too used to grab big bundles of bedding from them in the late 80s / early 90s. The kubin brothers. Were they not called "EMI" or something like that officially?

Bringing back some memories...

Sorry I cant help.

Best wishes,

StevenX

>>I have not heard in a very long time. I too used to grab big bundles of bedding from them in the late 80s / early 90s. The kubin brothers. Were they not called "EMI" or something like that officially?
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>>Bringing back some memories...
>>
>>Sorry I cant help.
>>
>>Best wishes,
>>
>>StevenX

I was great stuff because it was available in huge corrugated bags. Hopefully someone has some info one way of the other about it.
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Steve W.

Steven,
Yep, they were called EMI Reptilia I believe. I used to get the same aspen from Ron Markel's place nearby back in the early to mid nineties. Since my collection was smaller than most, those huge things of aspen lasted me forever.

I still have some of the plastic hideboxes that EMI manufactured as well.

I can't believe it has been so long since Ty passed away back in 2005, I miss chatting with him about herps.

Take care!
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Genesis 1:1

>>Steven,
>>Yep, they were called EMI Reptilia I believe. I used to get the same aspen from Ron Markel's place nearby back in the early to mid nineties. Since my collection was smaller than most, those huge things of aspen lasted me forever.
>>
>>I still have some of the plastic hideboxes that EMI manufactured as well.
>>
>>I can't believe it has been so long since Ty passed away back in 2005, I miss chatting with him about herps.
>>
>>Take care!
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>>Genesis 1:1

I'm sorry to here about Ty passing away. I used to talk to him too back then. I remember him having an albino or anery celeanops I think.
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Steve W.

Ty used to have the anery moss lake milks. I think one or two was collected at moss lake so he had a colony. Little bity milks that were smaller than pencils. Tough to get those feeding.

Markel - I remember fondly of my "Markel" days. He first moved to South Arlington and I lived a few miles from him. I met him at a show, started hanging out at his house and probably bugged him more than most. We were always going out collecting somewhere. I think he had a good time. It wasn't until the point when he needed to make money from reptiles that I think he no longer enjoyed the hobby. We collected all over North Texas. We used to give him such a hard time cause his eyes were so bad. Makes me laugh to myself when I think about it. He seemed like the only other person (besides myself) that would get so excited when you brought over a new Grayband or some new color phase of brooksi. I miss Ron.

Discern - If you were at JR's Cowtown Critters (Ron's Place) buying aspen then we probably ran into each other.

Last - I remember the details now of Ty's passing. I am thankful that Ty and his brothers were always so nice to let me in the door and hooked me up with a better quality of animal than what could be found at a pet store. I was just another pesky kid and they could have just kicked me to the curb.

Best Wishes,

StevenX

I do remember Ty having those anery moss lake milks! I dont' think I ever saw them though, but heard about them.

I was at Jr's Cowtown Critters at least once a month, and I bet we did run into each other. I had many good times chatting with Ron about herps and learned a lot from him.

Ty was such a trip. I would learn so much as well from one conversation from him. He would speak like a herp encyclopedia, telling me all sorts of details about the snakes we were chatting about. I miss him dearly.

His animals were top of the line. I saw so many of them, and the colubrid people in this hobby today who never got to see his animals surely missed out.
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Genesis 1:1

I agree. Some folks thought Ty was out of it sometimes but the guy knew his snakes and he had serious quality stuff. Some stand outs were his red milks, moss lakes, Juno Rd Alterna and mex mexs (Some type of German line stuff). These are what I remember most.

I think each of us have a tale as to how we got started, who influenced us, what animals give us the most wood, etc... I would love to collect all these stories.

I know Ron was very graceous to put an alterna I collected in one of his books and many kingsnakes I purchased were photographed and added to his books as well.

I would really like to help a new generation of herpers get started in the hobby.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane Discern.

Best Wishes,

StevenX

I too hung around Ron's place and helped out cleaning cages and such. Ron kinda disappeared. I did a internet search for him and got an address in Alabama, but he never answered my email. And I wasn't even looking for money. That place took some real work to keep clean. And yes, Ron was so blind...don't know how he ever found any snakes. But it was always fun going out looking with him. I really learned a lot from him.
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Greg Jackson

I actually found Ron a while back in Colorado. He and Judy both. I didnt have an email address. Only a regular address. But that was about 3 or 4 years ago.

I miss his enthusiasm. Stu was right on. His excitement would make me even more pumped up. And Stu knows me, when I get pumped my blood pressure goes thru the roof and butterflies and the ALTERNA RUSH!!!!

Take Care,

Steven X

I'm like you. I have an address in Estes Park, Co for him, but never have tried writing. Maybe I will for old times sake. I could mail him his key to JR's. I still have mine. I still have a line of western hognose that I got started from a pair I bought from him back in 1988. Nothing out of the ordinary, but some of my favorite snakes.
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Greg Jackson

I first met Ron Markel in 1977 in California where he lived at the time. I was stationed there in the Army. I have many fond memories field collecting with him. He was always so enthusiastic about collecting herps and very animated at times when he would get excited.

I remember once hunting rosy's near Lake Hemet. We were driving in his brand new pick up truck after some heavy rains. We came to a place in the road where a large body of water was moving across the road. It looked shallow enough and after much debate we decided to go for it. Well...about half way into it we felt his truck lose traction and start moving sideways! All I remember was him saying "holy sh_t!" and several other choice words. Just as we were about to float off the road sideways his wheels got a bite and off we went.

Another time we were hunting rosy's and he went up one side of this rock hill and I went up the other. If you have ever been out there then you know what I mean when I say "rock hill"! About 4 hours later I was at the top with 3 large rosys in the bag weighing about 15 lbs! I was sitting on a rock waiting for Ron to make it up. As he was climbing up, face dripping sweat, he asked if I did any good? I said only 3 how about you? As his eyes were bugging out all he said was "I didn't see jack sh_t"! You should have seen him sputter!

Anyways, I was glad to see Ron again when I moved to Texas and just as sorry to see him drop out of site.

Ron, if you read this...peace dude!

Stu