experiences with the non human world

i´ve had many incredible experiences involving the non-human world. i remember one trip when i was young, my family and i went to yellowstone and actually snow mobiled through the park..it was amazing. i remember seeing deer and elk walking by as we would slow down on our snow mobiles as to not disturb them grazing nearby. i spend part of the year in colorado, and love when i see a bald eagle flying in the sky, or the occasional mountain lion hiding in the woods! since i am a huge fan of animals, whenever i travel i try and visit areas where animals native to the area live, such as nature preserves. i think the most incredible experience i had with the non-human world was on a small island off of thailand, called krabi. there, i woke up every morning to the sound of a ringing bell: a baby elephant making her way down the beach with her trainer. i made sure to wake my seven year old cousin up early so we would make our way down to the beach to see her. she was so beautiful, and i remember how smart she was--she could find a water bottle (using her trunk as both a nose and hand) deep in the bottom of another tourist´s backpack. it was incredible. one morning, we had the chance to go swimming with the baby elephant. the trainer told me to rub sand on her back, so i did, at which point she began to play with me! she would take her trunk and try and trip me, and this amazing game began..of me rubbing sand on her back and her chasing me! finally, we jumped in the water and she used her trunk to spray water on me. it was magical.