On leaving the library, however, my trip was to take an odd twist. There is a back road exit that winds around the back of the Community Complex and out to the main road. This back road passes between two ponds. And apparently the geese are either migrating, or just vacationing here. The ponds are just around a curve in the road. As I rounded the curve I came upon a motorist carefully wending his way thru the geese in the road. The geese seemed to be standing around, being geese. After the other car had passed, there was a general agreement between all the geese (about 30 of them) that they should all move to the other side of the road. So they started crossing.

Being unaware of the exact laws concerning geese crossing, I stopped my car to reflect on what little I did know. There was very little traffic; I was the only car. In Colorado (Estes Park) there are sheep crossings. Mountain Goats, or whatever. I do know that you are supposed to stop outside the crossing area and look around before proceeding. If there are sheep about, you wait! Period.

So I decided to wait. Ordinarily, I would have been very "inconvenienced" by this situation. But I've always been a fan of Mother Nature and all Her little creations. Sure, I've seen geese before. But not this many and on the ground. Besides, even with their awkward waddle, they were making pretty good time so I wouldn't have to wait long. "What the heck" I said, "I'll sit here and enjoy this minor spectacle". It's not something you see every day. So I put the car in park, turned on my Hazard flashers, and relaxed. It was quite a procession.

But it wouldn't last.

You see, I was also concerned about the geese getting ran over there on the road. I figured if I sat there, the next person around the curve would at least see me, stop, and maybe just maybe enjoy the scene, too. Ha! The next person around the curve, slowed, veered into the oncoming lane, blew the horn, shook a finger, panic-braked at the site of the geese, weaved on thru and on down the road. Completely ruined the parade. Shot my blood pressure up way high! But I did take the opportunity to drive on home. Because if I sat there, I was going hunt down this idiot and beat the shit of them, or their car.

Now, I was taught one method of stress management on the road is to think:"Maybe that person was in a hurry for some good reason. Maybe there's an emergency." And I shouldn't take these offenses so personally. But I know where this idiot went. It wasn't the hospital. It wasn't the courthouse. Not even the gymnasium (maybe a child had been hurt?). No, this idiot went to the library.