It had been several weeks since my last trot through the nearby desert trails. While most of my related activity is in the company of the most meaningful group of men I’ve ever known; I put high value in my solo days. They add to ability to reset, reflect, walk through different components of the recent and upcoming days.
For many, an ambient temperature reading of 100+ serves as a deterrent; I welcome it as it tends to clear the amateurs off the trails. My time is limited; as such I typically stick to a limited set of the many miles of twisted hard-pack; generally the sections encouraging the highest foot turnover vs. erratic fits-n-starts around and through the jagged rock. I hit the back half of a loop, earphones beginning to slosh in my ears due to sweat buildup resulting in volume and clarity fade. It’s just rural enough to walk a line between acceptable radio reception and the requirement for saved music. For me each serve a purpose; I prefer to not lose myself in my ear pulsating music on these technical trails; it’s proven too easy to lose my footing.
This particular day I was on one of the loops just rounding a corner and heading up a slight incline when I ran into two turtles right on the trail. I’m thinking these were Desert Tortoises. In looking up options that’s where I landed as the closest match for size, habitat and social behavior. I stopped and watched the pair for several minutes, resisting the temptation to reach down and either assist them off the trail or interrupt their behavior. One appeared to be the more active; repeatedly nudging the mostly withdrawn head of the other. A few minutes of observation and desert sun had dried the sweat on my neck and back nudging me to move along and catch some additional breeze. In hindsight I wonder if I should have moved them off the trail in order to protect them from others who might not see them on the rather narrow single track.
The next day I was headed out on an adjacent trail late in the afternoon; just prior to late day clouds to begin their roll-in. On my way out I ran upon two gentlemen heading back in after a hike, sticks in tow. I could tell they wanted me to stop which I did. Using his walking stick one of them pointed a couple hundred meters away adding that two deer were hiking up a hill. We engaged in conversation for a few moments, me mentioning over the last 18 or so months I had only seen 2-3 deer in this set of trails. I also mentioned the turtles from an earlier day. He offered the deer tend to wander out when storms are imminent; likely because few people are on the trails. We exchanged nods of thanks and went our separate ways. A couple hundred meters later sure enough; two mule deer, 90 degrees staring directly at me. I slowed to a near crawl….noting that one was significantly lighter in color than the other although both similar in stature. Beautiful.
Normally the highlights would have been the heavily shifting winds as they circle around the range and through the foothills…and the astonishing light-show put on by the encroaching afternoon storms. Happily the critters of the desert added to the typical days’ efforts helping deliver long-lasting impressions.
For many, an ambient temperature reading of 100+ serves as a deterrent; I welcome it as it tends to clear the amateurs off the trails. My time is limited; as such I typically stick to a limited set of the many miles of twisted hard-pack; generally the sections encouraging the highest foot turnover vs. erratic fits-n-starts around and through the jagged rock. I hit the back half of a loop, earphones beginning to slosh in my ears due to sweat buildup resulting in volume and clarity fade. It’s just rural enough to walk a line between acceptable radio reception and the requirement for saved music. For me each serve a purpose; I prefer to not lose myself in my ear pulsating music on these technical trails; it’s proven too easy to lose my footing.
This particular day I was on one of the loops just rounding a corner and heading up a slight incline when I ran into two turtles right on the trail. I’m thinking these were Desert Tortoises. In looking up options that’s where I landed as the closest match for size, habitat and social behavior. I stopped and watched the pair for several minutes, resisting the temptation to reach down and either assist them off the trail or interrupt their behavior. One appeared to be the more active; repeatedly nudging the mostly withdrawn head of the other. A few minutes of observation and desert sun had dried the sweat on my neck and back nudging me to move along and catch some additional breeze. In hindsight I wonder if I should have moved them off the trail in order to protect them from others who might not see them on the rather narrow single track.
The next day I was headed out on an adjacent trail late in the afternoon; just prior to late day clouds to begin their roll-in. On my way out I ran upon two gentlemen heading back in after a hike, sticks in tow. I could tell they wanted me to stop which I did. Using his walking stick one of them pointed a couple hundred meters away adding that two deer were hiking up a hill. We engaged in conversation for a few moments, me mentioning over the last 18 or so months I had only seen 2-3 deer in this set of trails. I also mentioned the turtles from an earlier day. He offered the deer tend to wander out when storms are imminent; likely because few people are on the trails. We exchanged nods of thanks and went our separate ways. A couple hundred meters later sure enough; two mule deer, 90 degrees staring directly at me. I slowed to a near crawl….noting that one was significantly lighter in color than the other although both similar in stature. Beautiful.
Normally the highlights would have been the heavily shifting winds as they circle around the range and through the foothills…and the astonishing light-show put on by the encroaching afternoon storms. Happily the critters of the desert added to the typical days’ efforts helping deliver long-lasting impressions.
AniMal