TL;DR - I don’t run away, I run toward - in reference to the “When the cops come” thread.

There might be one, but at the moment, I can't think of a circumstance when I would run away. That said, yesterday I actually ran toward the sheriff.

I thought I was at a Superfund site, knew I was caught and was quite a distance away when I heard "Come out of there... right now" over a megaphone. That was loud and clear, but all that followed was indecipherable. I figured the sooner I got there, the better.

I’m running toward the sheriff, “Excuse me,” running, running, “Pardon me,” running, running, “I can’t hear you,” running, my fully opened tripod in one hand and my camera in the other, a backpack on and I’m running out of breath. I’m a chemo patient with admittedly crappy endurance.

There was a huge herd of cows in the pasture next door and I have no idea why, but they were running toward the fence at the same time I was. Maybe lunchtime, it sounded like a stampede. They are really cute cows and I’ve never seen anything like this before, so I’m snapping pictures as I’m running. The cows and I reach the fence, I climb out and the cows stand there eating grass, making cow noises and eyeing the goings on between LE and I.

The sheriff asks for my driver’s license, I’m huffing and puffing explaining myself while looking through 2 purses in the car hoping I’ve brought it with me but fearing maybe I didn’t. I find it and hand it over; he asks where my license plate is. It’s a new to me car with a now missing expired temporary tag from Arizona… I live in Texas.

I bought the car in January but I haven’t registered it yet. No bueno! On pretty days, I drive with the windows open and the paper tag blows out of the back window and into the body of the car. I’m looking for it among all my exploring junk thinking this is not going to end well. As I’m looking, I explain the circumstances around buying the car and he says, “I don’t really care about the car, other than attach the tag to your bumper when you get home, not even a word about it not being registered and that the temp tags are expired. Must have been my lucky day!

I’m sweating it out there in my Poohveralls, wet up to the knees from bushwhacking through high grass, thinking my car is about to be towed and I might be going to jail. I’m chatting with the other officer asking what sheriffs do because I don’t know and asking if she knows anything about my next location. Wishful thinking in case I get to leave. Meanwhile, I can see all the cows watching us over her shoulder. I can’t stand it anymore and ask if I can photograph the cows, they really are super cute. She says that’s fine, but do not go inside the fence again. I commence to shooting cows.

Takes him about 30 minutes to call in my info, speak to the property owner, learn I am not an official criminal with a record, the car isn’t registered and tell me I won’t be arrested today but I will if I come back. I have to sign a Criminal Trespass Warning and am free to head to my next destination 30 minutes away. Intervening fact, it is not a Superfund site.

Thirty minutes later, I arrive at my next destination, commence to shooting cars and see a pickup driving slowly back and forth outside the fence line. Thinking I have been made, I walk over to the fence and talk to a nosey, know-it-all about trespassing neighbor. As luck would have it, he has phoned the police and they are on their way. Thinking it will be better for me if I am outside the fence; I scurry back to where I climbed in and climb out.

Fortunately, the next door property owner cared more about my trespassing than the officer that arrived. He didn’t even ask my name. Funny enough, when he drove up, he thought my car might be stuck and asked if I needed help getting it out. It wasn’t. Nosey neighbor is sitting in his truck making me explain why the police have been called. I explain I was just taking photos and this guy, Cory the neighbor, told me I shouldn’t be in there and that the purple paint is a universal sign for no trespassing and blah, blah, blah. Officer asks, “Is it an art thing?” I say yes and he tells me I’m free to go but next time ask the property owner for permission.

Indeed, yesterday was my lucky day.


1. destination one


2. destination one


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8. destination two


9. destination two

Good lord! You wore me out just reading all of that! Indeed, you are lucky! I loved reading your narrative, because
1. You're a great writer and it's easy to get engaged, and
2. I know you, so I can see this all unfolding as clearly as if I was standing right there watching this whirlwind of insanity transpire (yes, folks, this is all 100% truth. I have no doubt).
I wish I had been as lucky as you've been! Obviously I missed the boat by not sporting the Winnie the Poo overalls...

I've sort of been to both of the places you were caught at. The one with the cars I made the mistake of going in late summer at night - can I just say... good god, I've never seen so many freaking spiders (I was pulling spider webs out of my hair for days it felt like). Also, wasps are definitely less active but not completely dormant at night. This was an observation I made when someone I was with leaned against their hive without realizing what it is but failed to inform me until after those bastards were so rudely awakened that he was deathly allergic and he didn't have an Epi pen. I had one in my trunk but I would have been cutting it awfully close to get to the car and back to him if he had gotten stung! In short, there was a lot of effort for not a lot of time spent actually exploring the location. We made it through the back end of the property before calling the entire thing off. Honestly, I was relieved that he shared my reservations and also wanted to cut the trip short.
I vowed to go back, but not until winter!
Your first location I was determined to hit on the way home from LA but was so exhausted, I ended up just pulling off to the side of the road with my hazards on and taking a snooze across the street from the property! I awoke before dawn but had a time limit that was closing in, so I had to leave it unexplored. I was mad at myself, but I also had no business exploring something like that when I was that tired anyways. I'm glad your trip at least provided you with some photos of your adventures!

*We really need to work on your stealth mode skills - starting with where you park your car!

"Cute cows". I'm thinking, whatever, get on with the story, what happens next! Then I see the photos. Those ARE some damn cute cows!

I really enjoyed your story and glad you were able to talk your way out of trouble. Once you were lucky. Twice is a miracle! Thank you for sharing and I hope all goes well with the chemo. Thoughts and prayers.

Posted by Peptic Ulcer I really enjoyed your story and glad you were able to talk your way out of trouble. Once you were lucky. Twice is a miracle! Thank you for sharing and I hope all goes well with the chemo. Thoughts and prayers.

Oh, you have no idea. This woman has every angel on duty in her corner. This is... what? the 32nd time this has happened? lol

In fairness, this story was definitely edging closer to the mouth of danger, so I'm going to estimate she's only been this close maybe half a dozen times. I know one time a couple years ago she came damn close. But then Winnie the Poo summoned those angels and it was miracles abound!

In addition to great exploring company, this one is a great good luck charm!

**EDIT: Damn, y'all are both right, those are some really cute freaking cows.

Don't run towards police unless they command you to.
Less time mean less options for the cop; they know that.
They want to size you up...
Keep your hands in a in sight at all times and don't reach for anything unless they ask and then tell them before you do, what you're doing.
Acting nervous is a cue to them and not a good one.
Cops don't like drama; stay calm.

Yep, cute cows. And good one getting the cop photo to add to the story.

awe...cows and story cute!

You definitely weren't overselling the cuteness of the cows!

Posted by MRuthless You definitely weren't overselling the cuteness of the cows!

I stopped calling them cute a long time ago...

Yikes. That one isn't cute!

Posted by MRuthless Yikes. That one isn't cute!

Longhorns look even worse especially when there's no fence
I've wrangled a couple steers off roads here in W TX... guess I'm a cowboy.

Posted by blackhawk Longhorns look even worse especially when there's no fence I've wrangled a couple steers off roads here in W TX... guess I'm a cowboy.

If "wrangling" includes honking impatiently at a wondering cow with your horn while attempting to straddle the ditch and the dirt road with only cattle guards and purple posts to guide you around the beast, then I think I've done quite a bit of wrangling of my own!

EDIT: Subtle additions and clarification...

Posted by Dee Ashley If "wrangling" includes honking impatiently at a wondering cow with your horn while attempting to straddle the ditch and the dirt road with only cattle guards and purple posts to guide you around the beast, then I think I've done quite a bit of wrangling of my own! EDIT: Subtle additions and clarification...

No rope or horse; just walked them back inside the cattle guard or gate.
The calves are expert cattle guard escape artists

The big boys I call in and let the real cowboys handle!