After finishing up in Santa Fe, we headed south on 25 and then west on 40, heading toward Gallup. About an hour into the trip, we had one of the most disturbing driving experiences of either of our lives. Maggie was driving while Tommy examined maps and tour guides. All of a sudden, Maggie perceived something insane and surreal roughly 50 yards ahead. An enormous, live pig was flying through the air. This is not a joke. A pig was flying toward our car. Apparently, it had fallen (G-d only knows how) out of a tractor trailer carrying it to slaughter. The pig landed, violently, breaking what appeared to be its back legs and perhaps even its back. It writhed around on the highway as we very quickly and dangerously approached it at 75 mph (which is the speed limit out here). Maggie screamed, “A pig, a pig!” and Tommy looked up, completely confused. Maggie swerved far off the road (Go, Element, Go!) to avoid the pig, who was now trying to lift himself up with his front legs, straining his head in the air but then falling and rolling about. I know that I am being very graphic, but it was one of the most horrible things I have ever seen. Tommy, for lack of any other recourse, dialed 911.
Tommy: This is a non-emergency call, but I need to report that there is a pig on I-40 at mile marker 142.
Operator: What, now? A pig? Like a dead pig? In the road?
Tommy: NO. THE PIG IS ALIVE.
Operator: A LIVE PIG? IN THE ROAD?
Tommy: Yes.
Operator: I will send someone out immediately.
After seeing this pig in peril, neither one of us think we can eat pig again. Tommy is saying he may not eat meat at all, Maggie is still processing. UGH! Horrible road trip trauma!
3 comments:
Yikes, flying pigs. What can be next? You'll never forget that experience. At least the pig didn't hit your car and cause damage. Consider yourself lucky, for sure.
that is awful.
when i would drive b/t home and illinois, i would ride along side those giant pig trucks. i couldn't help staring at them as i passed... all those pigs piled up... and this one was trying to break free!
Rob says that was a RAVEN that stole your banana!! He has done extensive research since our encounter with one on a run.
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