The North End Night Shift: Why I Accidentally Summoned a Coyote
So I thought it was smart to pee about 20 feet away from my spot, pull out a banana and some almonds, and just crash. I was just doing what I thought was right, but instead, I basically turned myself into a coyote magnet.
I was exhausted, the weather was great, and a quick snack seemed perfect before falling asleep. Plus, not holding it in is just the healthier choice, right? A friend once told me marking your territory keeps animals away. What I didn't realize is that doing this right on an existing wildlife highway... the path between the state park and the beach dunes that coyotes and foxes use constantly... would just trigger a predator to see it as a direct challenge.
The 1:30 AM Wake-Up Call
I fell asleep around midnight and woke up at 1:30 AM to an insane, goose-like growl. At first, I thought it was some kind of alarm. Then, as my eyes adjusted to the pitch black and the stars, my brain finally registered the danger.
My immediate reaction: Pack up and move right now.
I didn't know for sure if it was a coyote until I hiked about 10 blocks away to a safety zone and looked up a video of coyote barks. Yep. I just had a midnight standoff.
Was he a potential friend trying to lead me to Blackbeard's hidden treasure in First Landing?
That would be amazing, but I'm glad I left the dunes to the animals who actually live there.
For the record, I always stay on the flat sand right before the dune transition to keep out of the way of beach cleanup trucks and protect the environment.
Pro Tips for the Virginia Beach North End After Dark
If you want to avoid a midnight standoff of your own, keep these rules in mind:
Never pee where you plan to chill: It doesn't scare wild canines away, it just alerts them that someone is invading their turf.
Ditch the food wrappers immediately:
Eat your snacks and throw the trash away at least a football field away from your spot. You would be shocked by how far away these animals can smell your food.