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This photo is not of excellent quality, nor is it a flattering photo of me, but it represents a humorous event in our lives.
For several years, Glen and I backpacked sections of the Appalachian Trail. On this particular hike, we were hiking in Virginia. Part of the hike included a section where feral ponies had been brought in to eat the vegetation. Due to the prevalence of hikers in this area, the ponies have become very accustomed to humans. They will even come up to you to either get food or to lick the salt off your arms and legs.
I love the beauty and power of large animals, but I must admit that I have never been comfortable around them. I think this stems from watching my brother get bitten by a very large dog when I was a little girl.
So, back to the picture. We had hiked all day and were ready to set up our tent for the night in a spot nestled in the curve of the trail. We could see the southbound trail, but not the northbound trail. Before we set up our tent, we decided to have a cup of coffee. I sat down on a large rock to enjoy my cup, and I had only taken a couple of sips when Glen shouted, "Look, honey! The ponies!"
The ponies had come down the northbound trail, and before I could even look up, one was right next to me. Before I could move, it started to lick my neck. I jumped off that rock as if I were spring-loaded. In the process, I spilled my coffee all over my leg. Not to miss an opportunity for something tasty, the pony started licking the coffee off my leg. I wanted to shoo the pony away, especially since his friends were starting to follow him into our campsite. Glen wanted a picture, and I didn't mind, as long as he hurried about it! After a couple of snapshots, he gently encouraged the ponies to leave. Realizing they would get nothing else to eat or lick, they went their way.
While uncomfortable at the time, this was one of the most humorous events of that hike, perhaps of all our hikes.
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| This was the "second take," and I tried to look like I was enjoying it. |
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| I think he was wondering if he could open the backpack! |
