Rain, Lightning and the Big Burrito

Sometimes it's not easy being a buffalo. Last night, for instance - the Burrito Loco challenge. I had never had the huge burrito at El Toro, and it was quite good. Fellow buffaloes Devil Dawg, Packy, Cousin Don, Mohawk and I all hammered down the Mexican monsters with a side order of rice, and I washed it down with two beers. I was scorned for not licking my plate as the others had done, having left a few wisps of sour creme on the plate. Sheesh.

Before the burrito binge we ran at Meadowbrook Park in the heat and humidity, so now after being properly fueled we drove out to the Buffalo Trace Trail in Mahomet for the third part of the challenge - a five-mile trail run with the burrito still a bulge to be reckoned with. Scarface, who was fueled only by rice and beans, joined us as thunder and lightning crashed the trail and lit up the darkness. The first mile was a bit hairy, with Devil Dawg cowering like a frightened puppy at the crack of far-off lightning strikes (this was not the fearless dawg who snarfed down black beans after inhaling the big burrito).

After a while rain started, and if sweat hadn't made us wet enough we were now thoroughly soaked. All was well until . . . BUFFALO DOWN! With less than a mile to go in the darkness a small stream and its slippery banks tripped up Scarface, Mohawk and Cousin Don and into the drink they went. Only a temporary stoppage, though, and we all finished the five-mile run with no "launching" of burritos, as others of the herd thought might happen. Challenge met!

Just another chapter in the adventures of the herd. More coming Thursday night as the herd grazes in Buffalo Nancy's yard.