This is not the normal behavior for slugs. It would be helpful if you could post a photo of this critter.

That is a pretty good trek for a slug, although not entirely out of the question. I've found them where they have climbed my 2' raised deck, made their way into 24" containers that are sitting on pot feet to raise them off the deck surface.

If you are certain it is a slug causing the damage, bait around and under your porch because that is where they would be hiding in the daytime before making the trip up and onto your table.

Go out at night with a flashlight and take a good look, possibly making a couple of trips after dark...see if the plant in your basket is holding any surprises other than a slug.

It was a slug. A small one but it was. I have to go to Home Depot to pick up some slug killer.

Hahaha; I have a bad case of the giggle right now (This obviously isn't a fix because I can't keep salting a table.) Why not, LOL?!?!?

All joking aside, yes, slugs certainly do take the high ground. I had marigolds in windowboxes hanging on my railings, which were atop a few feet of brick steps, so I figure it was a 5' treck. The slugs devoured the marigolds, which I simply refuse to ever grow again, LOL. I'd handpick them at night, but that became extremely tedious, especially since I had picked over a hundred in one night. I had purchased Escar Go from Gardens Alive and it decreased the slug population drastically. I'd normally sprinkle it down once in the spring and once in the fall and it would keep the slug population at a minimum. I admit I haven't put it down since Spring 2007 and have noticed an increase in slugs, enough to try to remember sprinkle some more down soon. It's costly, but there are coupons available that help justify ordering it ;)

I still find it hard to believe slugs travel that far without some kind of help or a comfortable intermediate layover. I suggest you look carefully at the immediate environment to locate the route these voyagers have taken and disrupt it.

They crawled up from the dirt, on top of the mulch, up the side of the concrete porch and up the leg of the wooden table to get to that flower bud.

I can totally relate. Slugs are everywhere this summer. I have found them on the walls of my house, in my planters and yes...in the garden where they normally are. However they have had plenty of
each plant I have, more so my hostas and dahlias. I have tried soap and even beer and still can't rid them. Any other suggestions would be appreicated?