e days, in Carlaw. He had a touch of Irish trouble trying to get home for Christmas -- the airport in Dublin was closed because of snow!Now, snow obviously doesn't stop Kevin, a hardy Canadian type who scorns even the wearing of a winter hat... And as soon as the airport re-opened, he was on his way.
He dropped by to say hello, a few days later than expected, and he got a very warm welcome -- and not just from the people! The doe and twins were hanging out near the stable, wistfully hoping that some chicken grain would be put outside (doesn't happen much now it's cold -- the chickens prefer to be indoors) The littlest one was pretty sure Kevin would have something in those deep pockets, however...
Meanwhile, across the road, there was a big herd of deer. Come winter, the deer will often gather together. In total there were fourteen! They didn't come across the road to join the trio. Instead, they wandered idly up the middle of the road, stopping traffic in both directions. Some of them stayed across the road, borrowing the ski trails and coming down to the road a little farther along. We walked up to watch them from the Resort gate, expecting them to head back into the fields and forests across the road. Not so. Right past us they marched... and on down the middle of the road.
Brian and David report
ed that, on their way down to visit a neighbour they ended up 'herding' those same deer all the way to Lumina Resort... still in the middle of the road, still just sauntering along.It's a good reminder to everyone on winter country roads that you need to slow down. Who knows what (or who?) is around the next corner? And fourteen deer out taking the morning air and enjoying the view... well, nobody wants to run into that at speed!
They always talk on the news about "driving according to conditions". Well, they're not just blathering about the snow covered roads, the possibility of black ice or white outs... they're also talking about the fact that deer have never truly understood the concepts of trajectory, stopping distances, and the concept that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Deep snowbanks and easy walking on plowed roads mean that deer will frequently choose the path of least resistance. They're not clever about walking single file, facing traffic, etc. And if they panic (which, being deer of very little courage is all too common) all bets are off... So slow down on country roads. Take the time to enjoy the scenery. Sure, it may take a few more minutes to get where you're going... but having to stop and sort out a car-deer accident scene will take you a lot longer.... believe us...
Excellent post, Nancy. And wise warning words. Did you see this story???
ReplyDeleteFollowing GPS device's directions strands couple for three days - The Globe and Mail
www.theglobeandmail.com
Bound for Reno from the Pacific Northwest, grandparents follow alternate route that directs them to a snowy, remote part of Oregon
We had guests who preferred their GPS directions to the very simple ones Carol gave by phone... Hwy 11 to 60, Hwy 60 to 35, 35 to Foxpoint Rd. 21... all right turns coming from the south...
ReplyDeleteTheir GPS sent them off into the bush somewhere north of Kearney. Then they were mad at US.
Checking with Google Maps for directions for a guest, I was surprised to find myself in unfamiliar territory as well, so I did a test: I asked to go from Toronto to Bondi, giving exact details, postal code, you name it. It asked if I wanted to go by land. I said yes, wondering what my options were... and it sent me to Bondi, Sydney, Australia, driving the entire African continent and taking occasional ferries across those peskily inconvenient bodies of water like the Atlantic... The trip, by the way, will take you nearly 4 months... Just buy an Ontario Road Map.