I expect cows in populated, rural areas, but not in wilderness areas. The cows, in turn, probably wondered what I was doing there. lol
Wild Cows in the San Jacinto Mountains-True Story.
Today, out on the wilderness trail, I saw three cows!
Honest to God!
What on Earth were cows doing, in SoCal mountain wilderness, I wondered…………………..?
First, I had heard what I thought sounded like a “moo.”
Told myself I was mistaken. It was some “other animal.”
(I grew up near Midwest farms, the cows were always kept in pens. They stood in grassy fields with their heads down, as they grazed peacefully on grass, till the farmer came and chopped off their heads), lol. Such was life on the farm.
I didn’t think cattle still existed in the wild.
If I were a Cahuilla hunter looking to feed his family and the tribe, I’d have been overjoyed, I thought.
My family, heck, the whole tribe would have a feast.
Couldn’t imagine being able to kill what happened next with a single bow and arrow, though!
So, I blinked, looked again.
On a trail in the distance ambled three cows.
(I’d been looking for signs from God I am on the right path.
Holy Cow! I exclaimed out loud.
Then thought about what I just said……………………………….!
The irony and sense of humor my spirit guide. I smiled, inwardly. Felt all was well and I was at peace.
“Cows are sacred in India” I thought.
Furthur proof.
I pulled out my camera and tried to get a shot as they ambled off, in the distance.
Some time later, I sat on a log. Some bugs (or bees or gnats) started swarming me and bothering me, and it irritated me.
I yelled at them “Get away I’ll kill you!”
Remember, there were no humans around for miles.
So I was free to carry on, relax and totally be myself.
(whew!)
I started swinging, swatting and hitting the annoying insects.
To my surprise, it worked! The insects got the hint and flew away, and left me in peace.
I thought of the psalm about the swarming bees that yet did not sting, through the Lrd’s intervention.
(To paraphrase…).
I guess the cows heard me, though. Because, a couple of minutes later, I looked up. There, almost in front of me, were two of the cows.
They stood looking at me, quizzically.
One had floppy ears cocked forward as they looked at me, just fifteen feet away.
Both were at least 700 pounds each.
I knew I might meet mountain lions or bighorn sheep on this path but did not expect cows.
So, I had not prepared in advance, as a good boy scout would.
If they were going to stampede me, what would I do???
I thought of big street predators, back in the “hood.”
Noise terror can go a long way to scare off danger, I knew.
I thought of western movies and TV shows.
So, I did like a good cowboy would ( I hoped). I hollered and yelled loud, made lots of noise.
At this, they both backed off and ambled away.
I breathed easier, laughing. I felt happy and light, at ease.
I thought I had the movie settings for my camera on, but didn’t.
I felt disappointed I didn’t film them gazing at me, but I did get some snapshots on my camera and a video.
jakelonewolf 