So it's late in the afternoon on Saturday and we need to run an errand.
But there's an SUV blocking the end of our driveway with its hazard lights on.
After about 20 minutes or so, I venture out to see what's up.
The SUV is empty, except for a bicycle in the back.
Out of the corner of my eye I see a woman, seemingly frantic, wearing black biker pants and motioning me to "shussssssh."
She's across the main road, leaning over the guardrail, pointing into the woods.
I walk toward her and she turns more frantic, reminding me to "shussssssh" as she starts talking about the turtle habitat and how it's unfortunate that turtles try to cross the road and get hit by uncaring cars.
I nod in agreement, putting on my best politically correct face but still wondering why she chooses to block my driveway in her quest to save the turtle population.
"Yeah, I understand, " I say. "But you're blocking my driveway. We need to get out."
The Turtle Lady seems genuinely apologetic and walks toward her SUV to move it, but she's clearly stressed that this turtle is trying to cross the road. She mentions that the turtle she's trying to save is only about a foot long.
She moves her SUV.
Meanwhile, about 100 feet up the street, a turtle probably five times the size of the first turtle starts making its way out of the woods and into the street, right in front of the Turtle Lady.
Screeeeeech.
She pulls to the side of the road, gets out, and immediately starts diverting traffic around the turtle. She's as animated as a cheerleader, frantically waving her arms and running from side to side.
No one wants to run over a turtle.
And with the Turtle Lady around, no one will.
A turtle saved is a turtle earned! Thanks for sharing Dan.
We just happened across a baby bunny nest in our yard. Now those wondrous little creatures are constantly on my mind... until they start eating the garden!
Posted by: Lisa H | June 08, 2009 at 11:22 AM
OMG, too funny! Hope I get to meet this turtle lady on your street. She should definately be invited to your next summer party.
Posted by: Cappy | June 08, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Good thing you don't live on a major road (I'm assuming):
www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19690100/detail.html
Posted by: adamg | June 08, 2009 at 03:16 PM