Pile of Wood – Santee, CA

When campers leave their sites after a wonderful week-end at Santee Lakes, they leave behind items, some more useful than others. We had been out late and fed Karma after sunset. While Ruthi and Karma were walking, Karma suddenly went into aggression mode. She saw something ahead on the roadway that needed to be attended to.

Ruthi couldn’t see whatever it was. She swept her light left and right and it did not reflect off the eyes of any animal. Coyotes and raccoons roam the park night and day. Ruthi was concerned that Karma’s reaction was warranted and she couldn’t determine what it might be. They continued slowly towards the grass area for Karma to do her “business” and they could return home.

As they approached a particular site, Karma became more frantic and then Ruthi saw what was setting Karma off. There at the end of the site was a pile of fire wood that in the dark had a shadow similar to a large raccoon. Karma carefully approached the wood and eventually sniffed around and around. Finally, she determined it was safe to pass and no longer was frightened.