I head out the door and take an immediate right, my alarmingly loud, orange running shoes gracing my feet, and two highly prized objects are tucked, conveniently, into the front of my Nathan running vest. I am donning plenty of low sugar items to cover possible blood sugar needs as I hit the trail. Also, I possess an awareness and laser focus on the trail ahead. There are a few creatures roaming the desert southwest that garner my utmost attention. I just scanned a website featuring twelve dangerous creatures in Arizona and notice that there are a few more that should be on the list.
And we have thirteen species of rattlesnakes. Highest in the country. Really?
Getting ready to patch a name on the gigantic rattlesnake I have seen 3 or 4 times this summer. All near the start of Dave’s Trail. Thank goodness he is super mellow.
Gila Monster
Those two handy, mystery, items sporting Sony and Samsung logos, both point and shoot cameras. One for close-up action and the other for wildlife that is not crawling over me, rattling at my feet or walking across my palm.
My runs take me through the along the self-named “Dave’s Trail”. Crazy enough, that Dave’s Trail begins one step out my front door.
Before I reach the dirt track (a scant .18 mile away) that offers the wildlife, I will plug one of the only poems I have constructed. And it is actually all about ‘my’ trail. It is the final poem on the page.
Javelina
As I hit the trail, my senses heighten. Aware and laser-focused for possible poisonous, venomous or large moving objects that could ruin my day, my life. A short stint from the start of path at .18 mile and the fence I skirt under at .44 mile is a lengthy list of animals that have brightened my days while at times sending a buzz of attention when I come across an animal that sends my brain on alert.
This has been an unusual year. Yes, Covid 19 has swirled reality into a strange mix. Oddly, the Gila Monster has risen to the top of my animal encounters. A somewhat rare critter that is venomous and spends roughly 90% of its time in its den. This happens to be mating season and when availability of bird eggs is good.
The current count is five Gila Monsters and four Rattlesnakes. Two of which were seen ‘in the zone’(before the fence at .44 mile). Guessing it is the same, mild-mannered (at the moment) snake I have seen. A bit sneaky as he seems to be poised near the trail, but not on it. Not as easy to notice.
Rattlesnake
Despite possible dangerous creatures mixed in with a terrain teeming with spines and unfathomable heat, I love it here. I rarely see anyone on ‘Dave’s Trail’. Depending on the season it can be a paltry count of zero humans seen in a month to a very small handful. With Covid 19, times have altered and have changed along the self named path. A few days ago there was a gal cutting overhanging brush along the start of the trail. Could not see that happening.
Not on the trail, but across the street roams a bobcat.