Fresh air is hard to come by for this librarian during the school year; without effort, my forays outside consist of walks from home to car and car to school. So yesterday morning I tied on my sneakers and headed outside for a five a.m. walk-and-jog.
The cool air gave me a muggy embrace. My quiet footsteps were almost drowned out by the sound of traffic on the not-so-distant highway; I was surprised by that dull roar so early in the day. The darkness seemed to spur me to move faster, as I walked from streetlight to streetlight, shining my cellphone on the pavement when I was leery of my next step.
Turning into the cul-de-sac, my thoughts always go to coyotes. They haven't been spotted for a while....but what would I do if I encountered one on the road? This morning gave me no answers; my only visible companion was a lone firefly blinking in a grassy lot, hinting that our summer isn't quite over yet, despite the return to school.
Reaching the end of the loop, I jogged the straightaway path back to my house, my heavy footfalls competing with nightsongs of crickets and frogs. A lone car passed me, lights shining ahead in this darkening-before-dawn. I turned at the entrance to the hike-n-bike and retraced my steps.
Four circuits from home to cul-de-sac to home again, almost a mile-and-a-half done. I took a few deep breaths of the moist air, and winced at the loud creak of my front door. My day of walls and windows lay ahead.
Hmmm... I getting ready for an early morning meet up with my elliptical
ReplyDeleteDigital Bonnie
I wish I had room for exercise equipment in my house. Sigh.
DeleteI enjoyed how you incorporated so many sensory details in this piece--the muggy embrace of cool air, the distant traffic and the blinking of that solitary firefly. On early morning runs I've always worried about skunks, not coyotes--such thoughts may not be comfortable but they help you to keep the pace up! I know what you mean about spending the day between walls with limited exposure to fresh air. Congrats on making time to get outside in the early morning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive comments, Molly! I'm trying to improve on my Slices; they tend to be more diary-like, so I'm glad the muse struck with this entry. Hope the skunks stay far away from your morning runs!
DeleteI'm not sure I'd run outside if there were coyotes on the loose. You're a brave woman!
ReplyDeleteThey haven't appeared lately, and from what I've heard, they avoid people...so hoping my fears are unfounded!
DeleteI usually walk early evening, & we too have coyotes in the neighborhood. I've only seen one pass by from my porch, and do wonder. This is written so beautifully, Chris. I enjoyed the way you took us along this early morning.
ReplyDeleteYou post includes such great descriptions, making me want to start a new early morning running/walking routine.
ReplyDeleteA very detailed summary of your early morning activities. Here is a coyote story I shall always remember. The "Desert Rats" had met at the truck stop for a healthy plate of Rancho Eggs, beans, rice, and bacon. Now out to the desert when my bodies urge deserved action. TP in hand, I find a spot with no rattlesnakes close, dig my hole and proceed. The I get the feeling I am being watched.... Yes one coyote on my right and one coyote on my left. My body reacted rapidly finishing the task at hand and when I rose they departed. I furthered my education about the El Paso coyotes. In our 3 years in the desert with many soldiers, there had never been reported an aggressive coyote. On a sad note... The coyotes had an area where they gathered, gave birth, and raised their young ones. A tank battalion from Fort Knox wanted to play in the desert which they did often a danger to the rest of us. For example I'm driving down the dirt road when all of a sudden a tank shoots across the road in front of me. To get back to the story, One morning I got to our unit's location in the desert and when I got out of the truck I heard the coyotes wailing, which they did for at least 24 hours. A tank or more had driven through their area killing many. A kind a sad day. Love Ya, Dad.
ReplyDeleteHope you include this great story in your book, Dad!
DeleteA morning run sounds nice !
ReplyDelete