I took my kid for a hike today

[GoddessOfGuinness]

along the C&O Canal towpath. Our first sight when we got there was of a totally filthy guy riding a bike with his ass half hanging out of his pants. No underwear, just a serious moon job. The guy turned his head around and looked at us after he passed by, and kept looking back at us.

I was emotionally torn between maternal "protect my child" instinct, disgust with his appearance, and pity for the guy. He clearly was about eight cans short of a six pack...I'm guessing he's homeless. He most likely kept looking back because I have "that look" which suggests that I'm an easy panhandle hit (guilty as charged). Still, I wasn't sure, and there weren't many people around, and I had my kid with me. So I stuck my cellphone in my pocket, ready to call for help if I needed to.

I hate when paranoia takes over. :-(

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. Always trust your instincts.

It's not terrible for you to be cautious. You didn't go running in the other direction. That was good. But you were cautious and smart. You did the right thing, and everything turned out ok. But in the future, always trust your gut.
Duckie

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. Thanks, Duckie...

:-)

[rug]

2. Are you sure it wasn't a scooter?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. He didn't look like Scooter.

:rofl:

[marzipanni]

5. I know the feeling...

A few years ago I took my son and his friend, both seven at the time, on a walk beside a creek. Along came a guy in hie twenties walking ttoward us on the sidewalk-width path, carrying a plastic bag that held some fruit. I looked at his face and he had a weird vacant expression in his eyes and he bumped his shoulder against mine as he walked by, although there was room to pass by. Workmen were using some grading equipment in the park above, beyond the high embankment, so if I had to yell I doubt anyone would have heard. I decided to cut the walk short and the boys and I took the next stairway up to the lawns of the park, and I temporarily renamed the place "Creepwalk" instead of "Creekwalk", it's official name. :(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. I can see why you renamed it...

That must have been scary...