Summer doesn’t officially begin for a few days but we are expecting heat and humidity to hit southern Ohio today and settle in for at least a couple of weeks. Since it will soon be dangerously hot, I hated to enter summer hibernation without a really good hoke under my belt. I was grateful to make it out yesterday for close to six miles and for the unexpected joys this hike brought.
Looking up made me feel small. It usually does.
Looking down introduced us to a new friend. He seemed altogether unimpressed by us but we liked him.
And spots like this one offer a solid reminder that there’s nearly always a way through.
If you are fortunate enough to live in a place where there’s outdoor access and you are able to go out and enjoy it, do yourself a favor and go. The good nature will do for your body, mind and spirit is immeasurable.
Try to be like a turtle – at ease in your own shell.
Bill Copeland
This little guy was passing through my parents’ yard last night. He was not at all intimidated by humans so I was able to grab a few pictures. Being the strange person that I am, I talked to him and asked questions he couldn’t answer.
Where did you come from? Where are you headed, buddy? It was a hot day and you’re dusty and dry. Are you ok?
He kept me in his sights, blinking occasionally as though trying to tell me a big story.
I don’t like to move turtles unless they’re in harm’s way but he was in the middle of the yard with no shade or vegetation nearby. So dad carefully relocated him about twenty feet forward in the direction he was headed.
When I left, he was in the shade of a hosta and my mother was headed to the fridge for some lettuce to take to him. There was nothing between where he was located and where we put him so I think we did ok.
This little guy seemed extremely comfortable in his shell and was brave too. Note how even stuck his neck out.
That’s how you make progress in life: stay calm, accept help when necessary, stick your neck out for what’s important, and above all else, be comfortable in your own shell.
My Facebook memories gave me something interesting yesterday. I had forgotten writing it but I do have a vague memory of this April day last year. I thought you might enjoy reading it as much as I did.
I made it to Lake Alma for a quick walk tonight. There were little turtles sunning in their usual spot on the log in the water’s edge and one Canada Goose splashing and playing not far away. All the little turtles jumped in when I got too close except one guy who had no fear and chose to stay put while his companions fled.
The goose? Lots of others looked on while he splashed around, embodying pure joy amidst what appeared to be harsh judgement from his companions. Do geese judge each other? I don’t know.
And then I noticed this gentleman (pictured). He was oblivious to the world. The sun sparkled in the water and life went on around him but he didn’t care. He just seemed to be enjoying the moment.
They all were enjoying the moment. Go do that, friends. Stay in the sunshine, splash like no one’s watching and just enjoy your life. It’s too short to do anything else.
Yesterday morning was warm but beautiful so I took advantage of the conditions to walk at the lake. I snapped this phone picture just before crossing the bridge that connects the island to the rest of the park.
To my horror, I spotted a turtle crossing the road as an SUV sped his way. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour but that vehicle was driving much faster and I knew I couldn’t safely save the little guy.
As the SUV barreled down on him, I watched with both horror and intrigue as he pivoted so the long part of his shell would be parallel with the yellow line and he took up as little space as possible between the car’s tires.
It was incredible.
The car passed, he survived and I scurried out into the road to help him to the gravel causeway. I carefully set him down and stepped away about ten feet to see what would happen next. He seemed to be headed my way on the road which tells me he was traveling from the stream across the road to the much larger lake where I was walking. If he turned to go back onto the road like he was going to that stream, I would have helped with that too.
Luckily, there was no need to worry. He stuck his head out and appeared to sniff the air before scurrying down the bank and into the water. He moved shockingly fast as he scampered down the shore and swam away.
I live in hill country. It isn’t uncommon to see a turtle in the road but it can be challenging to find a safe place to pull over and help them cross.
Cars and poachers are probably the greatest threats to turtles in Ohio. Being smashed by a car is a painful, slow death so please do everything in your power to avoid hitting one.
If you see a turtle in the road, feel free to help if you can. First, make sure you can safely pull over. Also remember that Snapping turtles will bite and hold on but most other turtles are safe to help – just hold onto both sides between their front and back legs. Never handle a turtle by the tail.
Finally, be sure to move them in the direction they are traveling. Turtles are purposeful and are on the move because they need to be. If you move them to a place they do not wish to be, you can be making their lives drastically more difficult.
This story from the Sierra Club is a few years old but contains great information to help you. There’s also a video that demonstrates multiple ways to help a snapping turtle.
It is not uncommon to meet hikers who are listening to music. Sometimes with earbuds but often playing it out loud for a group to hear.
To each his own but I will never understand the point. The act of walking through the woods is nice but there’s so much more to a hike than that physical act or what you see when you go.
The sounds of the forest are amazing, especially when you’re close to water.
The birds were vocal on Saturday as were the frogs. The wind in the trees had a life of its own too. Walking near the lake shore, I could hear turtles plopping into the water.
But if you’re quiet, you can sneak up on turtles as they sun themselves on fallen trees near the water’s edge.
Stomp through the woods with your music blaring and you’ll miss all this.
Tune into all your senses – the sights, smells and sounds of the woods – and you’ll start to notice the small details like delicate wildflowers and butterflies, nesting geese and the occasional woodpecker overheard.
Do this and it’s no longer just a walk, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
