The unnamed roadways on the Island De Vieques pushed northward in steep elevation along the coastline, and I pushed myself up their pockmarked surfaces at as steady a pace as I could muster.

It was the last day of our acquaintance, and I was saying farewell to the lovely and rugged place with a final jog around the neighborhood.

It wasn’t my first ride on this particular carousel. but I was still wary.

During the six days I’d been here, I had gotten lost at least twice and encountered a host of curious animals — everything from hermit crabs and iguanas to wild horses.

Most of them ignored my intrusion once they realized the things I carried – a phone, a beach towel, a pair of sunglasses – contained no nutritional value.

But nothing frightened me more than the dogs that roamed loose. I had kept a lookout for them, making note of places I’d seen the scruffier ones linger in hopes of avoiding any unwanted surprises. I took pains to scuff my feet on the gravel as loudly as possible, doing so I hoped........

© The Saratogian