One nice thing about our increased trail running is that I
see a lot more wild rabbits than I used to.
Specifically, I see their cute little white cottontails darting away
from me as I tromp my way through their habitat. (Sidebar: evidently I’m not alone in my
appreciation for the bunny butt.)
I once drove to a weekend wedding extravaganza in a remote
part of New Hampshire. The two-lane
highway had periodic Moose Crossing warnings, but nary a moose did I see. A couple who arrived after dark in the
pouring rain had a near run in with a moose on the highway. When I expressed envy over their moose
sighting, they responded, “Everyone’s so jealous! Trust us…you do NOT want to see a moose. Aside from being enormous, it held up traffic
which is why we are so late.” Of course I
believed it was nerve-wracking, but I still secretly wished the moose chose me
instead of those tardy ingrates who didn’t budget enough travel time to make it
before the rehearsal dinner.
This summer we are doing a trail race in Tahoe. I am told there is the possibility of bear
and wildcat encounters. I am both
thrilled and terrified at the prospect.
I’ve been reading up as to what to do when you encounter different type of
animals (mountain lion: stay calm, back away slowly; black bear: scream and
yell; wolf: climb up a tree, assuming corporate America hasn't cut them all down). I have tried to
catalogue this information in my gray matter, but whilst one can intellectually
know something, it does not mean one will instinctually do it.
In all honesty, I’m sure my only encounter in Tahoe will be with
yet another shy woodland rabbit.
Assuming he doesn’t lead me to a hookah-smoking caterpillar, I think I’ll
be okay. Not to mention, I have already
mastered what one should do when encountered with a rabbit on the trail: point, tug on your
husband’s sleeve, and squeal, “Bunny, it’s a bunny!”
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