It was in July 2003, as we were near home after picking up my stepdaughter, then 13, from summer camp. We survived with only a few bruises and abrasions. The moose didn't. It was very traumatic.
I wonder if the writers of the screen play, Full Metal Jacket were inspired by the quote by Henry Thoreau to come up with a lot of new for Private Joker:
“The dead know only one thing: it is better to be alive.”
That said you had an angel watching over you when you hit that giant moose! i’ve passed many on my journey through Canada years ago. I figured I might hit one. I do feel sorry for the poor moose! Thank you for sharing your story Perry! ✨💜
It might be, Charlotte; Thoreau inspires many creatives.
It is funny that you mention moose in Canada, but I never saw one, even though I have lived here most of my life. I hear there are a lot of MMVCs out in the east coast, mainly Newfoundland. There are also many in Alaska.
So, the tragic event happens when we are living in rural New Hampshire. I do consider it some sort of miracle that we were generally unharmed. It would have been a greater miracle, in my mind, if the moose had also survived. But that was not the case.
Thanks for your comment and for restacking.Your kindness is much appreciated.
Glad you all came out of the accident unharmed 🙏 Im so sorry about the moose. I feel your pain. When we drive down to the plains, we pass through many "animal corridors" as they call them. And we often encounter deer or elephants trying to cross the road. The vehicles and honks of some insensitive drivers always startles them. This time it was heartbreaking to see a mother monkey dragging the lifeless body of her baby which had been hit by a car. 😢
Thank you for your sensitive and sympathetic response. Drivers are too much in a hurry to get somewhere. We have Canada Geese here who cross the road; most drivers stop, but a few jerks either honk their horns incessantly or just drive through them.
Wow, that song brought up memories. Many years ago we almost hit a moose outside of Concord, heading towards the VT side. It was crazy foggy and this thing was so freaking huge standing in the middle of the road. Glad you were all okay but terribly sorry you experienced that.
Oh no, how awful. I am so thankful you and your family are alright and…oh that poor moose, I’m sorry you all had to go through that. I just can’t imagine the horror.
No, stuff like that never leaves you. I came home from work once to find that someone had let my dog out of my yard and then he’d been run over by a car. It was truly awful, I found him there in the middle of the road when I came home. The whole scene is seared into my mind forever.
Wow; that is so awful, a beloved member of your family killed in such a brutal way and you found him there He died alone. So terrible. I would be so shook up for days and days, I probably wouldn’t be able to eat. So.sorry that you had to go through that.
Exactly. And yes to being really shook up. Thank you kindly for your compassion, it happened 15 years ago, but like you said, that stuff still gets to you…. I didn’t have kids yet but I bet the moose had a lasting impact on your daughter.
Sadly, no. It came out of the woods at an oblique angle from my immediate left, heading across the road in front of me and I was on top of it within a fraction of a second.
In the state of Pennsylvania there are thousands of deer/vehicle collisions every year and as far as I am aware there are insufficient or ineffective efforts to control the population other than hunting.
One of the leading causes of death for deer in PA is through vehicle impacts, with hunting being another.
According to the PA Game Commission, which regulates statewide deer hunting, because white tailed deer have no natural predators, once deer populations exceed 33 adults per square mile, the deer effectively eat themselves out of available natural vegetation, which means they starve to death.
Terrible. I have heard about the unnatural growth of deer in PA. It might be a good idea to introduce coyotes, wolves, etc into the area. Or has this been already discussed and done. This is what happens when the ecosystem is out of balance.
As someone who has been involved in an automobile collision with a deer on a rural road in south eastern Pennsylvania, I can relate. Had the deer been running crossing the road a few seconds later it would have been involved in a direct collision with a young man on a motorcycle, who was traveling behind me.
I’m glad you and your family are safe and OK. And I’m saddened to hear of the demise of the moose.
Yes; this is true. I was saddened further by the shrug-your-shoulders response of so many after I told the story of what happened, especially to the moose. This is why I have been reluctant to tell the story. This is only the second time I have written about it in 20 years.
That's almost unbelievable you and your family were not seriously hurt, beyond the psychological scars. Moose are truly amazing beasts that are hard to imagine unless you have seen one up close. I'm sorry for your experience, but glad you are here to tell this amazing story.
Perry, just wow. I am so glad you and your family are here to tell this story. You are such a lovely person and I feel the music. One of my many favorites. Your town sounds a bit like my mom's 3k person town. Love the rural places - yet there is always the sadness of the occasional animal crossing and deaths. I've heard the worst stories from her neighbor who has rescue horses further out in the country. Thank you for your heart and for loving the earth. ox
Yes, we were fortunate to walk away pretty much without too much harm to our bodies. The town has its appeals, no doubt, one being its nearness to the natural world. Thanks for your comment and concern.
Wow Perry, what an experience. Many don’t walk away from that. Bless the moose. It must’ve been an experience to live in New Hampshire as well. Beautiful scenery. I love the Guess Who and definitely feel into these eyes. Thanks for sharing. 🙏❤️
Thank you, Jamie. True, many don't survive that kind of collision. New Hampshire is wonderful in lakes and mountains and wildlife and I plan on writing more about this aspect of living there.
I love the white mountains and made the drive across on the way to Nova Scotia a few times. Santas village was always a stop near Gorham. I look forward to reading what you share.
As we continue to encroach (such a good word!) on the natural habitat of the animal world and keep squeezing them into smaller spaces, there's a good possibility that we will meet ourselves coming the other way toward us and we will all be removed. There is however, hope is various places provided by people with the means to make a difference. The founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, transferred his ownership of the company to a specially curated trust, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature. The funding will come from Patagonia: "Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis." Or what Greg Carr did in war-torn Mozambique to restore a million acres, spending over $100 million of his own money to help both the environment and the people there. The rest of us can do what we can where we are with what we have to help, even small ways as the accumulated effects can add up to something positive.
You wrote "These Eyes” (1968),” sung by Burton Cummings ..." Another song comes to mind that foretold the future. That 1969 song is "In The Year 2525, by Zager and Evans" If your readers have not listened to the song, then I suggest that they do. Some lyrics point to our world today and predict our grim future.
"In the year 3535
Ain't gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lie
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 5555
Your arms hangin' limp at your sides
Your legs got nothin' to do
Some machine's doin' that for you
In the year 9595
I'm kinda wonderin' if man is gonna be alive
He's taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain't put back nothing"
_____________________________________
Some may say we are idealists from the 1960s, and they may be right. But we had it right—Bobby Kennedy had it right—and we lost our way to capitalism's greed. Remember this for those who scoff at idealism: when you die, someone will put a dumpster in your driveway and empty the contents of your house into it. In the end, we are all just renters.
I love that song; thanks, Joel, for the reminder. In the end, our bodies become food for worms, don’t they, no matter how fancy or ornate the coffin. Human Hubris, and our modern inventions, are no match for Mother Nature.
Yep..they don’t look both ways before crossing the roads^^
I wonder if the writers of the screen play, Full Metal Jacket were inspired by the quote by Henry Thoreau to come up with a lot of new for Private Joker:
“The dead know only one thing: it is better to be alive.”
That said you had an angel watching over you when you hit that giant moose! i’ve passed many on my journey through Canada years ago. I figured I might hit one. I do feel sorry for the poor moose! Thank you for sharing your story Perry! ✨💜
It might be, Charlotte; Thoreau inspires many creatives.
It is funny that you mention moose in Canada, but I never saw one, even though I have lived here most of my life. I hear there are a lot of MMVCs out in the east coast, mainly Newfoundland. There are also many in Alaska.
So, the tragic event happens when we are living in rural New Hampshire. I do consider it some sort of miracle that we were generally unharmed. It would have been a greater miracle, in my mind, if the moose had also survived. But that was not the case.
Thanks for your comment and for restacking.Your kindness is much appreciated.
Glad you all came out of the accident unharmed 🙏 Im so sorry about the moose. I feel your pain. When we drive down to the plains, we pass through many "animal corridors" as they call them. And we often encounter deer or elephants trying to cross the road. The vehicles and honks of some insensitive drivers always startles them. This time it was heartbreaking to see a mother monkey dragging the lifeless body of her baby which had been hit by a car. 😢
Thank you for your sensitive and sympathetic response. Drivers are too much in a hurry to get somewhere. We have Canada Geese here who cross the road; most drivers stop, but a few jerks either honk their horns incessantly or just drive through them.
The mother monkey was no doubt heartbroken.
Wow, that song brought up memories. Many years ago we almost hit a moose outside of Concord, heading towards the VT side. It was crazy foggy and this thing was so freaking huge standing in the middle of the road. Glad you were all okay but terribly sorry you experienced that.
Yeah; that song is also special for me. It’s a poignant break-up song, beautifully sung, one that holds multiple meanings.
Thank you, Tania; I am thankful as well that you avoided hitting that huge moose.
Oh no, how awful. I am so thankful you and your family are alright and…oh that poor moose, I’m sorry you all had to go through that. I just can’t imagine the horror.
Thanks for your concern, Jenn. While it happened more than 20 years ago, some details remain crystal clear. Memories are like that, I guess.
No, stuff like that never leaves you. I came home from work once to find that someone had let my dog out of my yard and then he’d been run over by a car. It was truly awful, I found him there in the middle of the road when I came home. The whole scene is seared into my mind forever.
I hope her heart has healed ❤️
Wow; that is so awful, a beloved member of your family killed in such a brutal way and you found him there He died alone. So terrible. I would be so shook up for days and days, I probably wouldn’t be able to eat. So.sorry that you had to go through that.
Exactly. And yes to being really shook up. Thank you kindly for your compassion, it happened 15 years ago, but like you said, that stuff still gets to you…. I didn’t have kids yet but I bet the moose had a lasting impact on your daughter.
I think so, but she hasn’t talked about it since. I might bring it up, when the time is right. Thank you.
Sadly, no. It came out of the woods at an oblique angle from my immediate left, heading across the road in front of me and I was on top of it within a fraction of a second.
In the state of Pennsylvania there are thousands of deer/vehicle collisions every year and as far as I am aware there are insufficient or ineffective efforts to control the population other than hunting.
One of the leading causes of death for deer in PA is through vehicle impacts, with hunting being another.
According to the PA Game Commission, which regulates statewide deer hunting, because white tailed deer have no natural predators, once deer populations exceed 33 adults per square mile, the deer effectively eat themselves out of available natural vegetation, which means they starve to death.
Terrible. I have heard about the unnatural growth of deer in PA. It might be a good idea to introduce coyotes, wolves, etc into the area. Or has this been already discussed and done. This is what happens when the ecosystem is out of balance.
I’m not sure about the reintroduction of predator species. I suspect most efforts are being put into sterilizing adults, which is expensive.
What a bad idea, Gary. This is all I have to say on this subject.
As someone who has been involved in an automobile collision with a deer on a rural road in south eastern Pennsylvania, I can relate. Had the deer been running crossing the road a few seconds later it would have been involved in a direct collision with a young man on a motorcycle, who was traveling behind me.
I’m glad you and your family are safe and OK. And I’m saddened to hear of the demise of the moose.
Thank you, Gary. Did the deer survive?
So sad, Perry, I am so sorry. If more humans were as deeply affected as you are by encounters like this one, we would have a kinder, gentler world 😢💕
Yes; this is true. I was saddened further by the shrug-your-shoulders response of so many after I told the story of what happened, especially to the moose. This is why I have been reluctant to tell the story. This is only the second time I have written about it in 20 years.
People are so desensitized, it's discouraging. I'm glad you shared, and hope this story finds its place is more honoring hearts...
That's almost unbelievable you and your family were not seriously hurt, beyond the psychological scars. Moose are truly amazing beasts that are hard to imagine unless you have seen one up close. I'm sorry for your experience, but glad you are here to tell this amazing story.
Thank you, John. This is the closest by far, which ended in tragedy.
Perry, just wow. I am so glad you and your family are here to tell this story. You are such a lovely person and I feel the music. One of my many favorites. Your town sounds a bit like my mom's 3k person town. Love the rural places - yet there is always the sadness of the occasional animal crossing and deaths. I've heard the worst stories from her neighbor who has rescue horses further out in the country. Thank you for your heart and for loving the earth. ox
Deborah,
Yes, we were fortunate to walk away pretty much without too much harm to our bodies. The town has its appeals, no doubt, one being its nearness to the natural world. Thanks for your comment and concern.
Wow Perry, what an experience. Many don’t walk away from that. Bless the moose. It must’ve been an experience to live in New Hampshire as well. Beautiful scenery. I love the Guess Who and definitely feel into these eyes. Thanks for sharing. 🙏❤️
Thank you, Jamie. True, many don't survive that kind of collision. New Hampshire is wonderful in lakes and mountains and wildlife and I plan on writing more about this aspect of living there.
I love the white mountains and made the drive across on the way to Nova Scotia a few times. Santas village was always a stop near Gorham. I look forward to reading what you share.
Oh that poor moose. And your family. Such a sad story.
It was traumatic all around, but more so for the moose.
As we continue to encroach (such a good word!) on the natural habitat of the animal world and keep squeezing them into smaller spaces, there's a good possibility that we will meet ourselves coming the other way toward us and we will all be removed. There is however, hope is various places provided by people with the means to make a difference. The founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, transferred his ownership of the company to a specially curated trust, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature. The funding will come from Patagonia: "Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis." Or what Greg Carr did in war-torn Mozambique to restore a million acres, spending over $100 million of his own money to help both the environment and the people there. The rest of us can do what we can where we are with what we have to help, even small ways as the accumulated effects can add up to something positive.
I agree; and what I have decided to do is just consume less. As best that I can.🕊🦜
Yes, and imagine if we were ALL to just do that. The cumulative effect could make a difference.
Perry,
You wrote "These Eyes” (1968),” sung by Burton Cummings ..." Another song comes to mind that foretold the future. That 1969 song is "In The Year 2525, by Zager and Evans" If your readers have not listened to the song, then I suggest that they do. Some lyrics point to our world today and predict our grim future.
"In the year 3535
Ain't gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lie
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 5555
Your arms hangin' limp at your sides
Your legs got nothin' to do
Some machine's doin' that for you
In the year 9595
I'm kinda wonderin' if man is gonna be alive
He's taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain't put back nothing"
_____________________________________
Some may say we are idealists from the 1960s, and they may be right. But we had it right—Bobby Kennedy had it right—and we lost our way to capitalism's greed. Remember this for those who scoff at idealism: when you die, someone will put a dumpster in your driveway and empty the contents of your house into it. In the end, we are all just renters.
I love that song; thanks, Joel, for the reminder. In the end, our bodies become food for worms, don’t they, no matter how fancy or ornate the coffin. Human Hubris, and our modern inventions, are no match for Mother Nature.