Piney Wood Safari Hunt: Zebra Expectations!!
PineyWood Safari Hunt: ZEBRA Expectations!!
I recently posted about expecting the unexpected The Un-Expected Expectation, but this stripe really zigs! Really!
We always drive down the same forest service road through the National Forest between our house and our church.
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It is a beautiful drive. The Forest Ranger consistently pulls me over to remind me of the speed limit. He must be afraid if vehicles go over 30 mph the animals can’t get out of the way (or maybe it is the potholes). I’ve seen deer, wild hog, possum, raccoon, bobcats, coyotes, fox, and all kinds of regular wildlife in the Piney Woods of East Texas on this drive.
Last evening just after dusk, along with a dozen or so deer, we drove up on something of a wilder hoof. It was bigger, and my girls and I weren’t sure what it was. As we drove closer (at a much slower speed than my normal), we saw the unbelievable. It was a ZEBRA.
The girls and I acted out John Wayne’s movie Hatari and tried to capture it on cell phone camera. We had to have proof! Who in their right mind would believe this? The thing ran down the road. I speed up. It watched us as a predator and began zigzagging across the road. (My husband will kill me if I mess up his car!) I slowed. Zebra slowed. We commenced the capture chase for .8 of a mile, then it took a side road.
The Piney Wood safari hunt left my heart pumping. What a thrill! Seeing a zebra in its natural reaction without a fence between us is a dream I never expected to come true, and in East Texas! Move over John Wayne. I’ve got a fever for the hunt. A broad with a cell phone camera. You’ll have to see the movie to understand the girl and camera thing. The pic isn’t the greatest. But under the circumstances, give a girl a break. We were on the lookout for the lion and other crew from Disney’s Madagascar.
Happy hunting the unexpected.
Robin
Wow!
You wild woman! That is so cool!
-Diane,
It was so wow!
-Freed2love,
a wild, cool, rush!
We got your zebra message on the Conroe Homeschoolers e-mail group. My kids just got so excited about seeing a zebra in the wild, and I promised I would see if I could find out what service road you saw it on , they wanted to go on a drive to see if we could spot it. If you don’t mind disclosing the loacation, we would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a million, Melony
Hi Robin,
How groovy is this? To think you all were out for a stroll! Texas must be fun! :))
God bless,
Barbara
PS Are you coming to NC in October?
I think you must live near me.
We have a neighbor who likes to and has the money to buy exotic animals.
Recently, he purchased five zebras. He decided to put them in the back pasture enclosed by a low barbed wire fence. As soon as the zebras were let out of the trailer, they plowed right through the fence and into the National Forest.
I’m sure that is one of them, I’m just surprised he’s lasted this long!
I know roughly where that is, I’m originally from Texarkana Texas. Nice picture
–Melony,
You are the greatest mom!! I would want you as my momma. One who delights in allowing your kids a whim.
The forest service Road crosses Lake Stubblefield which is the farthest northern part of Lake Conroe. (Our family called it Lake Puddlefield when the hurricane broke the dam.) You exit off the freeway on to Farm to Market Road 1375 heading back towards the Lake area (west). You will find a sign directing you to turn right to get to Lake Stubblefield.
A note for your younguns: The zebra sighting was a random experience. We’ve driven back down the road five more times and not seen it. The zebra ran off down a long entrance to a housing edition called Wildwood Shores. Coming to this area can be a fun afternoon. It is a national forest with campground, fishing, and hiking trails. Come, have fun. Always expect God to show you something special, even if you don’t see a zebra in the wild. That was a freaky thing.
–Barbara,
How great to hear from you. This Texan has another story (some may say a tall tale). Come see me. I’ll show you good Texas fun. I do wish to be back with ya’ll in the hills of NC, but I don’t think I’ll make it this year, again.
Love ya girlfriend!
–Michelle,
Well, hello neighbor! Based upon my directions for the kids to have fun on their own Texas safari hunt can you determine if we are talking about the same group of animals?
When did your neighbor turn them out?
Get back with me, please. I would love to hear more.
–Scott,
Howdy native pardner! What do you think of our new native wildlife? Cool huh?
Hey, you got to see this. I recieved an email from a lady. I took the names out, but this is what she had to say:
Dear Sister, We saw your blog. We too
have seen the zebra. But my hubby,
Forest Service Officer XXXXX(sounds like
you might know him), informed
me that they have now been corralled.
Have a Blessed day.
Sounds like I had better mind my driving P’s and Q’s. Yikes, I’m really not a very good driver. Could I give the excuse I was chasing lions?
Thank you for the blessing sister. You be blessed as well.
Robin
I would be so thrilled to see what you saw! My, my–in Texas of all places!
Love,
Linda
What a fantastic story Robin. Earlier this year on that same stretch of road the most amazing thing happened to me also. I could not believe my eyes as a 500 pound gorilla paraded across the highway, carrying a six pack of Lone Star long necks and a buxom blond. I jumped from my truck and fumbled to reach my camera(I keep a camera in the truck just in case I see something a little out of the ordinary)and to my amazement the beast immediately stopped, dropped his beer and proceeded to run directly towards me.I stood there and wondered if this would be my last living moment here on this planet. Would this growling mammoth of a creature rip me into pieces or what? Just then the gorilla was in my face, his breathe ripe with alcohol and his inhibitions gone. He reached into my truck, grabbed my cold case of Old Milwaukee, handed me the girl, and seemed to mumble words to me before leaving. As best I can recollect, it sounded like” fair trade”. I often think of that special day and wonder what ever became of my beer?
Robin, I love the fact that you were willing to slow down and follow the wonder God put in your path. So often we just zoom by at our busy pace and miss it. Now you can no longer use the term “catching ZZZs” to mean sleep. Your friends will think you’re after another wild animal.
Thanks so much for sharing~
Mary Ellen
–Linda,
This was definitely a moment I won’t soon forget. (Hopefully, my memory malfunctions often.)
–Star E. Tellin,
Wow, if only you had a picture for proof! My guess is the blonde left the truck too, right? So your only alibi is the missing beer? That wouldn’t be convincing enough, since beer has a way of changing it’s label and diappearing when people who aren’t thinking straight come around. Sorry for your loss! Maybe next time the gorilla will stay in the truck and drink with you. Isn’t shared beer with a hairy friend better than no friends at all?
You’re a hoot, Mr. Star E. Tellin
–Mary Ellen,
You are right about stopping for those small God moments. Sometimes God will place something as big as an elephant in our way to make us stop. I do feel a little on the wild side, wanting to catch lots more than “ZZZs.” I want to catch the “20-30 Somethings” that are turning away from the church with the net of vital love relationship with Jesus relevantly lived in the now. I am wild with passion to capture them in God’s love, encourage and equip them to reach young adult for Christ. My net is spread, and off I go!
Thanks for the great comments. You guys are great.
Robin
Only you!!
–Susan,
Oh no. I’m contagious. My daughters too!
You want to come along?
thats craazy! i lived there 4-9 years and i would have never dreamed that somthing like that would happen!!!!!!!!!