Special Moment

I stopped at the last place to receive a cell phone signal and texted everyone that I had arrived…

No cell towers in sight.
I was on my way to my special place… me and my dogs were spending the night.

I turned the corner, traveling down a little two track, and spied two elk drifting into the trees at the top of the ridge. I continued on… and soon noticed movement. Another elk. And another. Five. Seven. Eleven.

I could not see further, but by the front cow’s actions… head held high, “barking”, and standing her ground… I assumed there were more elk. I waited. And waited. And watched. Finally, I eased the side by side farther.
Oh.

My.

Not all made it in the photo. My final guess was 80-90 elk. I gave Bravo a stern command to “stay”. I continued to watch and wait. I hoped they’d ease up into the timber on the right. They didn’t. I didn’t move, and Bravo layed down in the sxs bed. We stayed this way for so long, many of the elk went back to grazing. The sun was going down and they were standing between me and my destination. I had to go unload, gather firewood, and “make camp” before dark. There is no alternate route or I’d have taken it. I contemplated turning around, but I’d been waiting so long to come up here. Ugh.

I waited until I felt like I couldn’t any longer. I started up the Bluebird and crept towards them. They turned and ran off, but it was not the full bore, fear ladened run of a hunted animal, just some animals getting out of the way. We’ve ridden through these elk for years on horseback… I’m hoping they’ll get used to my Bluebird sxs in much the same way as they’d ignore Johnny’s old pickup with the rattling, banging stock rack. They knew they had nothing to fear, I hope I can become the same non-threatening soul. I never revved the engine or even broke 5 mph.

It was a magical, special moment. Who knew it was going to be only one of two that evening!

Find me here!

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