bikeseattle.org

No, I’m not tossing out drug slang. I literally chased an owl the other day.

The sun was setting and it was dark as I started riding up the Burke toward Kenmore and my folks’ house (that would make it, what, 4:00 in the afternoon? Jesus I can’t wait for summer). Somewhere past Sand Point I noticed a shape gliding through the air ahead of me, 20 feet off the ground and going at exactly my speed. Bird? Can’t be — its face is bigger than its body. But it’s flying…? That’s when I noticed the light dappling and furry appearance. Owl.

It was a surreal and oddly lifting experience, cruising with this animal for half a mile or so. It must have been looking for small creatures to snack on, and no doubt a paved trail between two wooded areas provides a fine dinner plate. Every once in a while it would wheel off to our right, or I would slow down to cross an intersection. But each time we would catch up to each other within a few seconds. I felt like we were both flying. I love my bike.