There they were, attractively arranged in the tall grass, looking for all the world like a committee trying to decide where to hold the company picnic. The elk. Everyone stopped, even people who are used to seeing the elk, because they were closer to the road than usual, and their antlers are enormous right now.
I should have taken pictures of all the cars pulled over on the shoulder of M-88, and all the people lined up at the fence at Conant’s, because it was quite festive. I was too busy admiring the elk. Then I heard a familiar yapping. Miss Sadie and the Cowboy informed me that it was time to continue our ride. There was ice cream to be had at Ruthie’s in Bellaire. There were squirrels to chase in Central Lake, and minnows to watch in the Intermediate River. Let’s go! And so we did.
Torch Lake Views 
mylesfromnowhere
August 6, 2008
All those cars Idling …. all those elk do not realise they are encouraging global warming… tsk tsk
Beth Dunham (Toner)
August 6, 2008
Wow. Wait’ll I show the hubby this! The countdown is on at our house. Three days, and the toddler can’t wait to take “his boat” to “Orch Ake.” He’s excited, and he’s never been there! The big kids will not sleep Thursday night.
Gerry Sell
August 6, 2008
Ah, Myles, here in Antrim County gas costs even more than it does everywhere else, and we never idle. Heck, we turn off the engine at red lights. (This is not difficult, as I can only think of three: the one in Elk Rapids, the one in Bellaire and the one in Mancelona.) We are so tired of gas prices that we’ve been known to push our cars up to the store and coast all the way home.
Beth! I hope the coming week is everything young Master Toner dreams of here on Orch Ake, gas prices notwithstanding.
Katherine
August 6, 2008
Jerry, I was one of those who stopped, along with 4 or 5 other cars, on my way to the dump. I took some photos too, they were sooooo close!
Hope you get over your cold soon, I’m sneezing along with you .
Gerry Sell
August 6, 2008
Katherine, if you got better elk pictures and would like to share them with TLV readers, let me know! (I’m shameless when it comes to exploiting the photography of others – but only with their permission.)
As for the hack/sneeze/bleahh that’s going around, I’m operating on the theory that a fierce bug flew in from “the Coast” with all the glitterati attending the TC Film Fest. I always catch something when I get on a plane, so I figure . . . Anyway, you feel better soon too.
Carmen
August 9, 2008
Hi-
The elk got moved away from the road today. We don’t want to cause any global warming!! or car accidents!! The elk are entering rut season and they’re getting just a little more aggressive. You have to understand that even though they come to the fence to see you that they are
a wild animal and are not to be trusted. People need to respect them and we just cringe every time we see kids climbing and hanging on the fence because everyone thinks they’re pets; they aren’t. They are a fascinating creature and we would be happy to answer questions that anyone has about them. We also sell the meat when we’ve got it (which will be available again in the fall); it’s a very, very lean and healthy meat.
Please let us know if you have question.
Thanks,
Carmen
Conant’s Maplehurst Farm
231.544.6664
Gerry Sell
August 9, 2008
Carmen, I’m so pleased that you wrote. The elk are fascinating – and very, very big. It’s good to be reminded that wild and farm animals are unpredictable, even – maybe particularly! – when they show no fear of humans. Thanks for offering to answer questions that people have.