Thomas Doty – Storyteller

Refresh for Current Content

---

Tourists

Before dawn, the singular yips of a coyote sidestep down Grizzly Peak and into my Ashland home.

Early March and the tourists are here. Another two hours and this sleepy town will explode into an urban rhythm of rushing cars and fast walkers. But I like the tourists. One could do worse than listen to stories from folks on the road. But some locals equate tourist season with deer season and feel tourists ought to be symbolically shot at. They also approve of trapping coyotes. But I like the tourists and their stories, and I tolerate the spring to fall bustle of my town.

But for now, in the before-dawn stillness, the solo voice of a coyote seems just right.

---