Traverse City Adventure: chased by a cur dog

DAY 14 • FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST 2017 • HIDDEN HOLLOW

Heavy rain followed by heavy dew soaked the fly of our tent overnight.  We pedaled out of the campground later than we wanted.  Had to wait on the sun to rise above the mountains and trees to bring its heat and sanitizing light to dry ground cloth, tent and fly.  

We had a beautiful 30-mile ride up and down hills to Tappan Lake Park for another night of camping.  Two young Amish couples set up tents on the site next to ours and we enjoyed talking with them.  They shared their steak and baked beans cooked over their camp fire but declined some of the freeze-dried chili mac and cheese we cooked in the foil bag with hot water hissed to a boil over a camp stove.

Their conversation was a sweet ending to the day - a day marred only by a cur dog that chased us on a hill road.  

He was relentless, wanted meat from either Becky’s or my calves, and made me draw my threatening pink Mace pepper spray gun from my handlebar bag.  That was only after loud and teeth-bared screaming had no effect.

Four years ago when we pedaled across the US I had the gun but never had to use it.  On this day I had no choice.  I pulled the pistol, released the safety, turned back toward him, drew a bead and let go a 25-foot string of spray.  That turned him quick.  The last glimpse I had of him he was headed down a hill toward a stream to find relief for a burning muzzle.  I hope it will deter him from chasing others, but I doubt it.  

He was a sandy-colored, short-haired mutt with one of those cocky, curved up tails.  A mile or so further one of his cousins - of the same variety - came sailing down the hill on the other side of the road.  My heart was still beating fast from the last encounter and I thought I was going to have to go to the spray again, but he pulled off, and we rode on.

Today’s miles brought our total on this adventure to 494.