25 August 2009
You were the erratically-moving squirrel trying to run across West Drive in the vicinity of 70th street right around 7:00PM Monday night (August 24th). You must have had a lot on your mind because you clearly didn't look both ways before trying to cross the street. I was nervously clutching my handlebars and hoping that no pedestrian would decide to walk out in front of me as I picked up speed riding downhill. Out of the corner of my eye I saw you jump out in front of a runner and quickly bounce out of her way. I barely had time to think "poor creature, she must be scared", when I saw you hurling toward me and my Raleigh Detour 6.5. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately (for me, not you) I had no time to respond as I gripped my handbars a little harder and felt my front tire roll over some part of your tiny squirrel body. I was surprised at the force with which you seemed to bounce off my bike and land with a thump in the middle of the road. In a state of mild shock and pleasant surprise at the sturdiness of my bike, I tried to look for you when I came around again (6 mile lap later) but you were gone. I'll take that as a sign that you made it. Good luck and no need to look for me...