One of the people who are up early enough to see my go running in the morning, came down to the bank and told me that one of the spots I go to has had a cougar spotted in the ditch next to the road that I run on. The family living nearby have sheep and have lost several animals. She cautioned me not to go that way anymore.

Later in the afternoon at the grocery store, I ran in to the woman who lives on that farm. She confirmed the story, and told me that they had lost 17 sheep so far. They've had the Conservation Officer out to try and get it stopped. He said that besides the cougar, there are signs of at least two bears coming to clean up on what the cougar isn't eating.

So there goes that route! I won't run it anymore. I've had one encounter with a mama bear with a cub nearby, and I never want to do that again.

But it isn't really a loss. With the days getting shorter, I've been starting out in the semi-dusk lately. It's about time to give up the rural roads for the streets in town. I won't run the roads in the dark. Streets are different - for one thing, there are streetlights, so it isn't totally dark, and for another reason the vehicles are travelling at a speed that is much slower.

So I guess it's another sign that summer is coming to an end. Pretty soon I'll be heading out in total darkness again, and forced to wear the reflective vest. I've already had it on a couple of times in the early mornings. Just one more layer I'd rather do without!

(if the title of my blog was "Cougars and Bears, oh my!" would it sound as cool???