This time of year, I’m particularly aware of the bears that are coming into town to feast on the easily accessible garbage in the neighborhoods. They’re simply doing what they need to do in order to fatten up for the freezing cold winters in these parts.
bear in town ~ Spring 2010
This bear unfortunately ended up in the middle of town in spring. That’s the other time of year they need to load up on the calories after winter hibernation. It looks so cute and cuddly right? …. WRONG! They can be dangerous, especially if you end up between a mama and her cub.
Flash back to August, when Dave and I took a couple of days to go camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which are just in our back yard.
love this canyon
Our first stop was a hike at Grizzly Creek. Now, my friend suggested this hike alongside a rushing river, so I shouldn’t of been concerned. After all, she came out alive and was able to talk about it. I still wondered how this particular trail got its name. Hmmm.
Grizzly Creek
Since I’m trying to be braver than I never am, usually am, I agreed to go. The surroundings were filled with greenery, the scent of pine, and general mountain splendor. The rushing water was so refreshing on this hot and humid summer day.
brave me in the enchanted forest
We kept hiking past bushes filled with a variety of plump, ripe, berries. Oh how ripe and juicy they looked. There were even wild raspberries.
I was enjoying these splashes of color along the trail until…
I found a great big pile of bear scat. Oh no!
very berry bear scat
We were about 30 minutes into the hike, and the pile was relatively fresh. That meant that the bear was probably not too far away. I daringly trudged on, while telling myself, if I’m attacked, “it’s a good day to die”. I think this came from “Little Big Man.” A little drama couldn’t hurt, right?
I’m glad the hike was so beautiful, because it made that feeling of fear inside me, a lot more tolerable.
So get out and enjoy the awesomeness of autumn.
We’re lucky to be able to enjoy the bears’ turf after all.