I had an experience last year during the bowhunt...
I had just bought these new driving lamps and installed them on my car at camp. I was pretty stoked to say the least, but needed more level ground to get them aimed right.
I drove down to the flattest road around and jumped out to adjust the the beam, leaving the truck on. I would adjust them and then go turn them on to check their aim and then turn them off/on again as needed. About the 2nd time I did this and was going back to turn them off (after looking too directly into the beam), I heard a "crssh crssh crssh" sound coming toward me behind the truck in the gravel towards me. I didnt think anything of it so I went back to adjusting. The 3rd time I went back and as I reached through the window to turn on the lights, I heard the same "crssh crssh crssh" only it seemed to be getting closer. I looked back to see what I could see (figuring it was a deer or something innocent), but my eyes were still blinded and seeing halos from the driving lamps. I started to get a little "On Edge" because it now distinctly sounded like BIG foot steps approaching in the gravel with no camps/cars near wear I was. I hurried out and adjusted the other lamp. A little blinded from staring at the lamps again to make sure they were at correct angles, I went back to turn the lights off. Just as I reached through the window to turn them off, I heard those same "crssh crssh crssh." This time, I did not hesitate... I jumped into the truck to take off, knowing that there are mountain lions and bears in the area.
As I went to put the truck in drive, it died! I too was dying as i heard the "crssh crssh crssh" moving faster as I struggled to get the truck started. As i got it re-started, I slammed it into gear, but for some reason; it was boggin down - even with the pedal mashed!
With the truck now moving at a joggin pace, the sound got closer and louder, "crssh crssh crssh!" Finally! I got my frantic speed, but as i did; the sound was still on my tail and it too was matching my pace!!! I sped up that mountain, taking corners and hitting dips like I was in some Off-Road Mickey Thompson Challenge shaking and never looking back as the sound finally faded with my racing thoughts to freedom.
As I slid into camp with a big dust cloud and came to a sliding halt, I barely got the truck into park as I jumped out and ran into the trailor! As I exclaimed to my hunting partner (my dad) what had just happened, we took a protected look out the window for a bit before coming to the conclusion that it must have been a "Hungry" predator that saw me out alone in the dark for an easy meal...NOT WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR!!
After about an hour of calming myself down, I ran out to truck that was now a mile away from my scary scene. But then, just as I opened the back door and reached across the seat to get my hunting gear out, my heart blew out of it's chest as I heard the "crssh crssh crssh!" right behind me! I thought I was DEAD!!! But just as I was about to soil myself and my ears zeroed in on the direction of the sound as I stopped moving, frozen with fear; the sound stopped. I reached across the seat very slowly and with a purpose, but this time for my BIG knife knowing that I was not going down without a fight, but the sound persisted! Just then, as I i mentally went through all the catloged memories of my wife and family; I realized....the sound moved when I did! I shook the truck a little and again; I WAS RIGHT! As I flipped my body and arms around with my knife in hand ready for my epic battle to the death, my arm jammed into the water cooler on my seat causing me to drop my knife and the sound to become explosive!!
Half way through my ending prayer (The only time I have ever been religous), a confused "Light Bulb" went off in my head as I prepared for what could possibly be my final breath..."I just slammed my arm into my BIG Igloo water container on the seat!" After all day hunting and leaving it in the truck, it had half melted ice and it was shaking around and hitting the sides in the water as the truck moved!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! It all makes sense now!
Now, entirely embarassed of the fright I just let my dad see and the almost certain little girl scream he probably heard as I thought I prepared for my almost certain death, I went back inside the trailer a little more silent than before. My dad seeing my now ghostly red face asked what was up, but I kept silent. It took about an hour before I would speak again and when I relayed my findings to my dad, he just gave the biggest ear-to-ear SH!T, grin as he let out a HUGE bellowing laugh!!
This is probably what HAZMAT heard that night in the forest! LoL!!
What an idiot I am! Now, needless to say; I leave that BIG Igloo water jug back at camp and just fill up my water bladder and take a few extra "No Ice" water bottles with me for the road.
Thanks for reading!!
?-ERock-> ?