After seeing a couple of posts from the Front Range crew I figured I’d better get on the water and lose/test some of those flies. I’m not putting this post under the Colorado Waters because it’s not really about fishing that much. I fished a tail water that was too high for my limited abilities and the weather turned from bright sun to rain with lightning and thunder then a bit of hail. I did some exploring and found a lot of water that will be really good when it settles down a bit but not today. I had just finished checking one last “little” creek in the area and decided to head for home. Driving down the narrow Forrest service road I came around a corner to see a calf moose trotting behind its mother on the corner ahead.
The calf was obviously very young so I tried to keep my distance and wait for them to move off the side of the road so that I could pass.
The calf was very wobbly at times and mom kept a close watch on my car.
The calf needed a rest so it took a nice long one.
After more than fifteen minutes the calf struggled to its feet.
Mom urged the little one on down the road.
Eventually the calf decided to leave the road but not by much. It took shelter under a tree very close to the road and mom stood guard. With mom facing away from the road between two trees I thought I might be able to pass and end this ordeal for all of us. I crept quietly down the road until I was within ten yards and then floored the gas pedal. She snapped around charged the right side of my car with perfect timing brushing a front hoof on the post between the two side windows and almost driving her head through the open window. As I sped toward a corner I took a quick look back to see the moose holding ground on my right quarter panel, I was already doing close to thirty. The moose broke off the chase just in time so that I could brake safely for the corner and continue homeward.
The moose encounter was pretty cool but I probably wouldn’t be staying up late to post this report if I wasn’t so jacked up from hitting a bear on the highway coming down Rabbit Ears Pass into Steamboat. My first thought when I saw the shadow approaching from the left side of the road was, I’m gonna hit an elk. As I slammed on the brakes I could see the loping strides of a good sized bear headed straight into my headlight. The left front of the car hit him pretty good causing a roll back toward my side of the car with a stagger and a stumble in the uphill lane. Before I could get the car to a complete stop the bear regained its feet staggered a bit and then bounded over some k-barriers that protect a steep ravine.
As best I can tell in the darkness my car is undamaged from either encounter. I do hope the moose and new born calf were not too stressed and that the bear did not sustain any serious injuries.
Quite an exploration day up here in the Rockies
Dave
WTW
