From the time we entered Ontario, there were periodiodic signs on the road to "watch for Moose on the road". In New Brunswick, the signage changed somewhat, with huge signs and flashing orange lights. In New Brunswick we saw fences with gates all along the highways, to an attempt to keep the Moose off the road. In Newfoundland, they even had these funny contraptions that if a Moose were to pass through it, the lights on the highway would flash. All the Provinces warn about driving at night because of the Moose and the possibility that the Moose could run towards your headlights. Well neither would come out the winner if that happened,,,, not the Moose, nor the vehicle it rammed into.
Did you know that this lovely beast is the largest extant species in the deer family. They are easily identified by their huge size, large heads and on the males, huge antlers. Moose can often be found in swampy areas feasting on the leaves of the deciduous trees. They are found in the north rather than in the south. The most common predators of the Moose are wolves and bears. But the worst in my books, are the humans. Hunters. When we were in Newfoundland, we saw many trucks with small trailers parked on the sides of the roads where there was a trail that the hunters could walk or ride their ATV's in and track their Moose. Ray said that as it was hunting season, that is likely why we never saw any moose in our travels. Well, we did see one and I will get to that in a minute.
Moose are generally slow moving solitary animals and apparently do not form herds. I thought they did have a herd, but apparently not. Moose can become very aggressive and move extremely fast for their huge size, if startled. While Fall is hunting season, it is also mating season. An average adult moose can stand up to 7 feet high and weight up to 1500 pounds. The smaller female would typically weight up to 800 pounds. The delicate creature that she is!
I love Moose, in fact every time that we are in the BC Interior, and all through this trip I have been very watchful and hopeful that I might catch a glimpse of a Moose. In fact, I usually have my camera beside me on the seat, ready and waiting so that I can quickly snap a photo.
So yesterday while driving through Maine and admiring the beautiful Fall colours, we were at times alone on the road as there was little traffic. When Ray said, "here comes an ATV". I thought he meant that an ATV was being ridden on the road (which in Newfoundland, we saw a lot of). A mid sized SUV went past us, towing a trailer. On the back was an ATV. I laughed because I was expecting an ATV, not a vehicle. All of a sudden I said,,, there is a ,,,,,,,,,,! I was completely speechless for about 5 seconds (felt like about 5 minutes) and then at the same time Ray and I both said "awwww a Moose!"
A beautiful chocolate brown Moose was lying on his side directly behind the ATV. Antlers and all, that beautiful creature was just lying there for everyone to see! Why could the guy not cover him up? What about kids in vehicles driving by? Their parents would have to explain what that moose was lying down! We both were upset and could not talk for a few miles. We gave the poor guy his two minutes of silence. Poor beast! I dreamt of Moose running through the forest last night. It made me both happy and sad. :(
Tonight we are camped in the Pocono Mountains in a place called, Tobyhannah, Pennsylvania. The campground is quite treed and damp because it rained so much today. We had the worst drive yet today. It was windy and rainy, and with so much traffic it was almost unbearable! Well not really,,, but it was stressful. Ray did an awesome job driving and avoiding semi trucks who want to crowd into your lane. I did my fair share of map reading and operating the GPS and telling Ray when to turn etc.
The Fall colours in Pennsylvania are the best we have seen yet. I did take a couple of photos, but with the rain it just doesn't do the colours justice. It is supposed to be nicer tomorrow so will try to take some then and post for tomorrow night.
We are having a glass of wine and then hitting the sack.
Lori and Ray
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