As per usual, I was up at 5:20 on Thursday to coffee up, dump out, get my shit together, and get to the park at 7 just as the sun was creeping up over the horizon.

As I walked the main path to the trails, I started to hear screams of “Woooooooo! Whooohooooo! Whoooooooooo!” echoing through the woods and coming closer and closer to me. I looked behind, thinking it was possibly someone I know goofing with me or a forest critter listening to Song 2 by Blur.

But no, it was merely one of the folks that have been “camping” at the park for the past two months, losing his shit as he walked towards me, on his way to wherever someone living in a county park for 2 months goes before sunrise with sunglasses on, hoodie up, and carrying a large wooden walking staff as weed smoke trailed behind him.

I’ve encountered these folks multiple times, and they seem harmless, but I’m not naive, and I know that being cold, hungry, and high without a legit roof over your head or access to indoor plumbing could make even the nicest person do desperate things. Today was the first time ever that I was glad to have the can mace with me that I bought 2 years ago after multiple dog attacks while lumbering and cycling.

Mace would be the extent of my want/ability to protect myself, and just one step beyond my patented “run away and scream” technique. I’ve never had the need to use the spray, but I’d be lying if I said my hand didn’t casually double-check it was in my pack’s pocket as Mr Whoo-Hoo approached with his staff.

To be honest, I’d rather it had been the Blur-loving deranged owl, then I wouldn’t feel so horrible for these poor folks and be so pissed off that for many, this is life in modern America. OR that he frightened every critter in a 3-mile radius for the next half hour. I hope they get some help before winter, or at very least learn to resist “whooo-hooing” at dawn.

Thankfully, after a mile or two, the sun was rising proper and I did end up seeing some critters, including a great blue heron just as I was finishing.

I got another 6-mile loop in, and sit at 24.70 miles on the week. Hitting 30 on Friday will be the perfect way to celebrate my 3rd Lumberversary.

Later.