I did my good deed for the day today. I was driving out to the field site in my HMMWV (that's a High Mobility Multi-use Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee for those not in the know) when I came up on an object in the road. I drove around it, and realized it was a turtle as I drove past. Poor turtle! The little guy was trying to cross a busy street, but had managed to make it almost to the center line by the time I drove past.

Well, on the way back to the CQ office, I saw him in the road again, except he had made it all the way to the middle of the road. So, I pulled over and picked him up, carrying him to the other side of the road so he could proceed safely. He (I guess it could have a been a she for all I know) was kind of cool looking. Black skin with red markings and a dark, dark green shell. I'm not really sure what kind of turtle he was though. And let me tell you, he could move when he wanted to! I was worried about him biting me at first, so I figured I would nudge him with my foot and get him to curl up inside his shell before I picked him up. Instead, he takes off down the road when I gave him a little tap with my boot! Here I am, chasing a turtle down the center line of a busy road hoping no cars come while I try to get ahold of the damn thing so I can take him accross.

I wonder, do you suppose his buddies dared him to do it? Must have been the scariest hour of his life trying to cross that street.