Fri, Nov 24 2017 - #OptOutside Hike and Meditation (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Lisa Participants: Lisa, Mike C, Tony O, Jennifer Miles, Jenny C, Anthony, Nancy

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We who opted out of shopping on Black Friday were rewarded with a bonanza of deer sightings. Our first close encounter of the deer kind was with a big buck just ahead of us on the side of the trail. I followed his gaze and saw that he was waiting for a doe down below in the woods. As we halted and shushed, she made a couple of false starts before bounding across the trail to join her mate. Together they took off up the hill and over the ridge. We later watched a group of seven graze through a creekbed below us. Then, a couple more on the hill ahead.

Finally, just after we'd completed our guided meditation and were logging our last mile, we heard a big commotion and walked right up on two bucks clashing. We could see them slobbering and panting as their antlers crashed and locked. They battled furiously until one broke loose, then trotted a few steps away before turning to face his challenger once more. Another battle, then a parley between the two giants, and apparently détente was reached. The warriors ran off, to resolve their territory dispute or love triangle another day.