| My Wildlife Adventure |
| 5/03/04 |
| Today I write of a new adventure. Using up my 30 days, I am currently out of the Mission and on the streets for 2 weeks. Afterwards, I can go back into the Mission again for another 30 days.This is the Mission rules that I must follow. There is a place I use to go, when I was much younger. Up the Tuolumne River past the Mitchell Bridge, two miles further around the bend, - there's a place on the sand bar, behind the trees and bushes, where no one can see me pitch a tent. Past the Bridge going east, it turns into a natural paradise. I always see small bass and perch swimming along the bank, while I take occasional dips into the water to cool myself. The water is very cold at this time of year because of the mountain and higher lake waters being let out of the dams. |
| Before making camp, I ride my bike into Ceres, ( just over the bridge and across the river ), to visit my most favorite Mexican Restaurant for some screaming chili colorado. On my way back to camp, ( while crossing the bridge ), I am startled by hundreds of baby swallows flying in the air. They are so close to me, I could grab them with my hand, but I don't. I stop to watch them as they keep flying in a large circle, back and forth. They must be exercising their wings and cooling off from the days heat. Heading up the river on the dirt road trail, I hear a pheasant sounding and clucking in the brush 30 yrds away. I keep walking. Up around the bend of the road, leading onto another trail, two huge mallard ducks fly over my head, making a quacking noise. I finally make it to the sand bar where I use to dive, ( deep ) in the water for golf balls. |
| The sun is starting to set so I take my last dip into the crystal clear water, and then proceed to walk back to the small island like sandbar, where I will pitch my tent for the night. On the way I pass a stagnant pond that is inhabited by large green bullfrogs. They look at me strangely, as if to say, "your not supposed to be camping here, it's against the law." So I begin to walk very quietly through the sand and the bushes. After pitching my tent and crawling inside to lay down on the sleeping bag, I gaze out through the top of the tent screen and watch the tall, willow brush swaying back and fourth to the sound of a gentle breeze, cooling and soothing my body. Hours later, the bullfrogs are croaking, and reminding me that I'm not supposed to be here. The moon is full and bright, lighting up the woods with a slight glow. Feeling safer, I finally drift off to sleep as I listen to the crickets singing my favorite song, "I've got a mansion - just over the hilltop. In that bright land where - we'll never grow old." "And some day yonder - I'll never more wander. But walk on streets that - are purest gold." |
| The next morning I wake up feeling hopeful and rested. I break camp and hurry down the path to get out of the area. While passing the stagnant pond again, a mother duck and 12 baby's scurry across the water, - flapping their wings to get away from me. Halfway down the gravel-rock path, (to my surprise), three county sheriff cars are parked by the road. "Well this is it," I said. "I've finally gotten caught sleeping outside." Right about now I'm feeling like a little kid getting in trouble for being somewhere he's not supposed to be. Not knowing what to do, I simply keep riding my bike, waiting for a shout, saying, "stop or I'll shoot." I pass the cop cars, no sound. I get to the bridge, still no sound. I get to the highway and start peddling real fast, and still no sound. "I'm out of here". As I rode away to freedom I remembered praying, (the night before), "God please protect me from any law enforcement, any attacks from people, and any attacks from spiritual principalities." |
| This is a true story, not fabricated. (God answers prayers) |