|   Running with the deer | Greyhound
Jan 31, 2002 4:19 AM | | "What a beautiful day!" I thought to myself as I was skipping out on work a little early to get a ride in before dark. I usually don't do that(leave early)but the recent temperature fluctuations towards the higher end of the thermometer don't happen too often in January either, so in my own mind, it was justifiable. Apparently, I wasn't the only person with spring fever, the trails were packed with people! Realizing that my chances for solitude were growing slimmer by the minute, I headed over to a newer section of the trail that held its home deep within the tall Carolina pines. "Bummer", I thought, "..trails aren't worn in too good yet--might be a bit slow." I continued on for about two hundred yards, cursing the slippery pine needles, but really enjoying the quietness that they provided. Very quiet indeed. The trail twists like a snake along the side of the hill, leaving the rider confused as to just exactly where he/she is among the myriad of similar-looking trees.
I heard a noise to the right of me as I was making my way across the hill. "Damn, no more solitude", I thought. Turning my head, expecting to see a couple more riders, I was startled to see about 8 deer running alongside me, just as confused as I was. "Cool", I thought, "nice to see some wildlife every now and then." I turned my head back just in time to catch the abrubt left turn that would have left me with a mouthful of pine needles! "Well, goodbye deer" I said, thinking that was the last time I would see them. The trail twisted a few more times, and the next thing I knew, I was face-to-face with the herd again. They must have stopped, thinking the danger had passed. Flushed from their hiding spot, they bolted again, in the opposite direction. You can guess what happens next, as the trail turned yet again towards this confused bunch. We continued to play this "cat and mouse" game for about 20 minutes all the way down the side of the hill. Each time I saw them, I thought it would be the last. Finally, as the trail emptied out to another, I looked to my right to see if I could spot my new friends one more time, but alas, they had disappeared as quickly as they had materialized. Many trail memories I will have in my lifetime, but none will probably be as good as the day I ran with the deer! |
| Cool (nm) | Topher
Jan 31, 2002 5:32 AM | | |
| Nice | cleatgrrl
Jan 31, 2002 5:58 AM | | Nature is cool. Just be careful not to get any on you. |
| Poor deer. | Finch Platte
Jan 31, 2002 6:16 AM | | Imagine if you were sitting at home, and something threatening kept running thru your living room- say, a shadowy figure that scared the piss out of you. You kept running from room to room to try to escape it, but it keeps coming and won't leave you alone. Finally, you run down to the cellar and for a while, all is quiet.
After a fashion, you go back up to the living room, but in a few hours, another, different, shadowy figure- maybe even a group of them, chase you from room to room again, relentlessly- maybe even laughing at your plight and making strange noises you can't understand.
All the while, your house gets smaller, day by day.
fp |
| Could be worse, Platte...I could be a hunter. | Greyhound
Jan 31, 2002 6:29 AM | | Sorry I hurt your feelings by scaring the poor deer..... |
| Chill. | Finch Platte
Jan 31, 2002 6:34 AM | | Just another perspective.
I've done it myself (ridden w/ deer), and enjoyed it immensely.
Don't take it so personally.
fp |
| "Ridden with Deer"? | Zonic Man
Jan 31, 2002 7:35 AM | | How about "Dances with Wolves"?
You done that there ta-tonka? |
| Better than... | Finch Platte
Jan 31, 2002 7:37 AM | | "Shuttles With JFR."
:~D
fp |
| Oh, deer! | Drewpy
Jan 31, 2002 7:54 AM | | Do we hoof to attack one another?
Buck up, it will be OK. |
| Doe! | Homer Simpson
Jan 31, 2002 8:13 AM | | :D |
| Ahhhh! | Zonic Man
Jan 31, 2002 9:26 AM | | But not as scary, is it? |
| O the DOOM | evs
Jan 31, 2002 7:09 AM | | you portrait. Are you in a dark mood now. :-) Man , talk about stepping on the guys memories.You bummed me out to...Give me a halilyouya upper in the depths of winter please.Break out some summer time photos..... |
| Poor deer. | Russ-Ale
Jan 31, 2002 10:10 AM | | Imagine having your home bulldozed, along with the rest of your neighborhood. Some people call that progress. |
| It really depends upon the home, and the neighborhood. | Pete.
Jan 31, 2002 11:18 AM | | ...and what is going to replace it. Sometimes it is progress. |
| Pete - You always seem to... | Bonee
Jan 31, 2002 3:16 PM | | ...have a picture to it every situation. Where is that, Tijauna or Guadalupe?
I've been to both, would like to see both bulldozed. Well, all except for that taco stand in TJ that sells the real tasty cat, or is it dog, tacos. |
| Right click, "properties" = South Africa. | Pete.
Jan 31, 2002 3:20 PM | | Soweto to be precise.
Pete |
| re: Running with the deer | brent
Jan 31, 2002 6:18 AM | | Those wonderful encounters with the creatures whose space we envade do stick with you. I still remember the day I was burning my then favorite bit of singletrack. I'm really flowing on this great section, flat mostly with these wonderful moguls and bermed turns, when I hear this big rustle-crash-whoosh noise. Over my shoulder drops a big Owl who begins to carve the trail in front of me for the next two minutes until we burst out of the tree cover into an Orchard. Wow. You don't get many days riding with deers or owls. Thanks for the reminder. Made my day.
Peace |
| re: Running with the deer | Rode Warrior
Jan 31, 2002 7:12 AM | | I used to encounter deer quite often where I used to ride. At one point I had more deer sightings than I had rides. I would stop when I could and just watch them watching me. They usually got bored before I did and just wandered off, but I'll never forget seeing them. I love nature, thanks for the reminder. |
| Swimming with deer (seems like).... | Dirt Pilot
Jan 31, 2002 7:40 AM | | ...I have a forest preserve area near my home that is absolutely LOADED with white tail. It seems that with all of the homebuilding in the area they have been herded into the woods where I ride. I'v ridden on days in the fall when the deer were particularly active and there were so many that it reminded me of swimming through an aquarium filled with fish. It's almost as common to see a deer or several as it is to see a squirril or rabbit but I always slow down and gaze, Love them critters! |
| I agree with Topher. | DeRanger
Jan 31, 2002 8:15 AM | | Which Carolina? And which part?
I visited Charleston last year - if my wife was willing to brave the humidity, we'd have bought a house and never come back to California.
DeR |
| Location | Greyhound
Jan 31, 2002 9:06 AM | | North and South Carolina are similar in makeup, but Charleston is a whole different story. As far as a portrait of what classic antebellum South looks like, Charleston is the perfect example. Spanish moss hanging from the stately oaks, scuppernong wine, and lazy summer days listening to the myriad chorus of crickets and frogs. You can't beat the South---well maybe you can once, but we will rise again.
As far as MY story goes, I ride in central North Carolina. A beautiful place in itself. Two hours west, and you're amongst the dense laurels of the Smoky mountains, careening down some of the finest singletrack in Pisgah National Forest. Two hours East, and you're listening to best beach music, sipping the coldest beer, and bodysurfing until you drop from exhaustion. Does it sound like I like where I live? You bet your arse I do! I invite all to come experience the Carolinas and what they have to offer. |
| We loved it... | DeRanger
Jan 31, 2002 9:19 AM | | ...we stuck mainly to the Low Country - Charleston and south into Georgia (Savannah and the Golden Isles), but we did visit a cypress-and-tupelo swamp (Frances Biedler Forsest Audubon Preserve), and I have visited the Smokies in North Carolina, so I know the inland portions are beautiful, too.
Unfortunately, my wife was raised in a dry climate, and living in Jamaica and Boston didn't acclimate her to the "sultry" East Coast summers. We do plan on visiting again, however - on that note, our first vacation was kinda funny: people seemed so surprised that a couple of Californians would actually plan a vacation to South Carolina. Apparently some folks don't know just how good they've got it!
DeR |
| Thanks, DeRanger.... | Greyhound
Jan 31, 2002 10:26 AM | | West coasters should be proud to have an ambassador such as yourself. It's a shame you won't be calling the Carolinas "home" anytime soon, but I'm super-happy that you enjoyed your experiences while you were here. If you make it to NC anytime soon, look up the 'ole Greyhound---I'll show you all the fun stuff. Later. |
| happened to us once | brodiegrrl
Jan 31, 2002 10:18 AM | | Near Mt. St. Helens about in 1992 we rode up the road to the Tourist info center, then when we got to the boundary where people were restricted from going beyond on bikes, we rode down to the old Spirit Lake road and road back to the campground. Along the way we heard a rumble beside us and a herd of about 10 elk were running through the woods!
wow! |
| That happened to me too ..... | scorcher
Jan 31, 2002 11:50 AM | | ...on the Colorado Trail north of Durango - by myself, just me and the trail and then all of a sudden this almighty crash through the woods as several elk bombed down from my right and across the trail.
It certainly broke the calm and made me much more nervous through the forested sections. |
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