Dannic, The Prince of Cats

Posted by Dannic on March 22nd, 2008 in General

I’m not a native of Nevada. Only the second trip I’ve taken. So I am still getting used to the fact that there are open ranges here.

Been here for a week or so on a business trip.

We were coming back from a day out at the job site. Fairly late. I think it was about 2am or so.

We have to pass through an open range to get back to the hotel. The area this spans is about 20 miles. It is a fairly long drive. Especially at 2am.

Our regular story telling was keeping us conscious on the trip. When shortly down the road we encountered a herd of wild horses. Fortunately none of them were on the road but it made us think and pay attention. Many of them were along the side of the road and could have darted out in front of us at any time.

Slowing down we passed through the spooked herd of Horses. All of them scattered. None of them ran in front of us. They appeared pretty scared. I know we were certainly concerned.

About 5 minutes later we started seeing cows along the side of the road as well. About the same time we started seeing them on the side of the road we noticed a white cow in the right lane. Slowing down, our headlights pointed out another cow in the left lane. We still weren’t too worried. There was plenty of room between them and we were slowing down.

As we got closer another shape appeared in the middle of the road. It was just as big as the two cows that were already in the road. The only conclusion is that it was a black cow. Standing almost directly across from the white one.

Now we were worried. We didn’t have enough time to stop without hitting one of them. The shoulder of the road is fairly soft and on the right was a small group of three cows. Not a good option.

Obviously going straight wasn’t a good option either. Nor was trying to dodge to the left. We did the only think we could think of. Brace for impact.

I think we were both slightly scared. Even though we are driving a large Chevrolet 2500 Desiel truck, it would have been a bad accident to have.

As we got closer and closer the cows looked up. They weren’t moving. Just looking. Blind more than likely.

The two nearest us were pointed in opposite direction. I think that is what saved us as there was just enough room to pass between the two cows in our lane. And I do mean barely enough room.

I could have slapped the one on the right if I had my window open and hand out. I’m sure Robert could have done the same with the one on the left.

We escaped without hitting either cow. I’m still not sure exactly how. But I’m definitely not going to look a gift cow in the mouth. At least we can’t be accused as Mooderers.

After passing through the gauntlet of cows, we turned around to shoo them off the road for those coming behind us. Most of them were driving smaller vehicles and it would have been much worse for them if they had hit one of those large moving hamburger repositories.