Smithfield 2-11-14

Smithfield Hike – Hogs, and Elephants, and Bears, OH MY!

Emboldened by last week’s encounter with a ravenous skunk, this week’s 23 hardy Tuesday Groupers went hunting for big game – the elusive Smithfield elephant. Ever hopeful, Ellis asked us to be on the lookout for bears, too, because he heard there was one in town. With much optimism we zipped our jackets against the 27⁰ breeze and headed toward a field of grazing pigs. We thought an elephant might be lurking there, but it was only a mural painted on the side of a building. Regrouping at the post office, we learned that there had been a sighting at River View Park. We stealthily made our way up there. While some of us pretended to enjoy the view of the Pagan River, others beat the bushes for our pachydermal friend. “Geocaching,” we told anyone who asked what we were up to. Why all the secrecy, you wonder? We had the feeling that we weren’t the only ones on the hunt. Everywhere we went we encountered poachers, still as statues, with clever camouflage - Franklin, Jefferson, Frost, even the Luter brothers. Perhaps they were after the wild hogs said to roam the streets of Smithfield. We didn’t tell them that we had seen the pigs, but that they, too, had been made up to blend into the town. At any rate, we were able to out run the poachers at Smithfield Station by entering the wilderness of Windsor Castle Park. We circled around the outskirts of the park before entering the darker, more ominous, wooded area. Several of us walked right by that crafty, silent elephant before the sharp eyes of the rest of our party spotted him. Bill B. even managed to get a shot off. It had been a chilly 5.6 miles, but we were able to triumphantly march back to “A Taste of Smithfield” to celebrate our good fortune. Thanks to Ellis, Marti, Phyllis, Ron, Sue, Ken, Bill, Sandra, JP, Steve, Stephanie, Bob, Evelyn, Carl, Susan, Judy, Fran, Steve, Lance, Katrina and John for such a successful outing! But wait, the story doesn’t end there. Many of you who left may have your doubts, but I promise you it’s true. Right after lunch, Ellis saw a real bear!

Diane and Bill

PS – Diane: “I had bear meat once.” Bill: “Really? How was it?”

Diane: “It was a little grizzly”

Bill: “How do you shoot a BLUE elephant?” Diane: “With a BLUE elephant gun.”

Bill:”How do you shoot a PINK elephant?” Diane: “Hold its trunk until it turns blue, and shoot him with a BLUE elephant gun.

Are you groaning? –Tusk, Tusk!

View Bill's pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/117475145040031402609/albums/5979595345310158929?banner=pwa&authkey=CJWr2J2xlNf8fA