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The ghosts on the trail
By mike | May 13, 2008
The radio said there was a dense fog alert this morning and indeed it was thick. As I took the first turn from home on my bike this morning headed for Paint Creek Trail, the traffic on Adams Road was rush hour-heavy. I worried I wouldn’t be seen by coffee-sipping, cell phone chatting commuters.
Safely made the half mile to the trail entrance and turned east. The trail was shrouded in billowy fog. It was quiet, almost surreal. My riding glasses dripped with condensation and I could only see maybe 100 feet ahead.
Five minutes in I saw my first ghost. Standing by the side of the trail, ears turning, tail flicking, it was a big doe, hearing me approach. As we both materialized in the fog about the same time, there was a brief, five second eye contact. I cold see her big brown eyes widen in fear. Then she bounded off. Beautiful.
On this morning’s 15 mile ride, the same thing happened three more times. All does. All looked pregnant. Fawns will soon be born.
The ghosts along the trail made me almost forget the 40 degree cold.
Down another pound this morning.