Day 159: Surveying the Scene

If I learned one thing from being a Junior Lifeguard, it was you need to survey the scene before you go in and make a rescue. Be sure that it is safe. Well, safe enough to rescue someone. And, God knows I need rescuing from all the sitting and eating incredibly bad-for-you food over the last two travel days. So, one of the first things that happened when we arrived at my mom’s house today, was surveying the scene for running.

My mom lives on many, many acres in the-middle-of-nowhere Sierra foothills in Northern California and has horses, a barn, and lots and lots of scrub oaks. There’s a fresh paved road that sweeps down one side of the property and splits off into cul-de-sacs (oh, joy) for future houses that aren’t even a twinkle in any homeowners’ eyes yet.

After we pulled up in the trusty minivan (she made it!), Mr. T, T Junior and my mom walked around and looked at the horses. T Junior and Mr. T sat on the big tractor.

This is not the house I grew up in, but my mom has lived here for several years. I’ve heard stories of coyotes and rattle snakes that make me nervous. You know how I am with wild creatures.

My mom said that she asked a friend where her daughter (that’s me!) should run while here and the woman got all excited about a nearby river trail. Then, she said, “Just tell her to watch out for the mountain lions.”

Mountain lions?! And to think I was worried about coyotes.