It was Tuesday, Sept. 16, and I was driving to work along Salt Point Turnpike near Clinton Corners around 7:45 in the morning when something moved into my left field of vision — a very large animal ambling across the meadow at the horse farm opposite Rivendell Riding Academy. I glanced at it a few times and then slowed down, quickly realizing this was larger than a horse. Even after my brain registered that it was a moose, I thought I must be seeing things. A moose in Clinton Corners? Couldn’t be!
I pulled over, and a truck behind me did the same — they must have seen it too. Sure enough, it was a moose.
I watched for about a minute before fumbling with my phone to take a picture. I was so excited my hands shook. More cars pulled over. Then a woman rolled down her window and asked if everything was okay. All I could do was point and cry, “Moose!”
She looked, shouted “Holy crap!” and joined the line of cars on the shoulder.
At one point the moose paused, turned, and stared across the field at us as if wondering what all the fuss was about. Then it wandered out of sight, and I drove on to work.
I had never seen a moose in the wild, though living in the Northeast it was certainly on my bucket list. I’d traveled to the Adirondacks and Vermont, passed countless moose-crossing signs, but never the animal itself. I even considered a moose safari in Maine. I never expected to see one here, though I know they occasionally wander this far south. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
Dyan Wapnick is the president of the Little Nine Partners Historical Society.
Chronicles is The New Pine Plains Herald’s memoir series, chronicling life in and around Pine Plains, Ancram, Gallatin, Milan, and Stanford. The Herald welcomes stories from readers that highlight memories and lived experiences from all people of all backgrounds. Send your submissions to editor@newpineplainsherald.org.
Great story, Dyan! We had to go to Alaska to see one!
Thank you for sharing this special experience!
Is that a moose on the loose?