We went on a hike yesterday, but did not get attacked by bears even though I was confident we would be. I know bears don’t attack people everyday or even once a month (probably not even once a year), but there was a bear downtown a few months ago and just a week ago someone spotted a Mountain Lion in their backyard. Plus, we decided to go for a hike close to dusk, in the forest, with two smallish dogs and one smallish person. I was a little nervous. I was sure we would end up on the news with a headline like “Not to bright family of three take dogs into the woods during bear dinner time and become dinner themselves.” Not to mention it was probably going to be uphill both ways and I could feel an allergy attack being brought on by the mere thought of all of that exercise.
Anyway, our walk started this way, with Tiny-Small using her own legs and feet to walk, but before long Tiny-Small was being chauffeured through this hike by her dad. She claimed to be too tired to walk and I suspected she may have inherited my allergy to physical exertion. I would have asked him to carry me too if I thought I could get away with it.
When we finally reached the top of the mountain I snapped a few pictures and Tiny-Small cried that she wanted to “Eat Chinese Food!!!” She was pretty angry that there wasn’t a little restaurant up there serving egg rolls and hot chocolate. Anyway, as I was admiring the view I looked down and noticed two giant holes in the ground that looked freshly dug. Like two roundish graves the right size for a skunk or some other similar animal. I wondered aloud who would hike all the way up this mountain just to dig a couple of holes. That’s when Jim looked over and casually remarked that those holes were dug by bear probably looking for roots.
That is when I gathered up Tiny-Small and headed for home. I was looking over my shoulder for bear (that I was certain was stalking us from afar) all the way down the mountain. Every little noise made my heart pound a little faster. When the dog bounded out from behind a bush I almost fainted…twice.
We even ran right past the home of the Blair Witch. Nobody had informed us of her relocation. I didn’t have time to get too scared though, I mean, not with the imaginary bear chasing me from behind. So we just zoomed past right after I took this picture:
When we reached the fence to out backyard I breathed a sigh of relief. We had made it home and the bears did not attack…at least not this time. I think we were just extremely lucky. We may never hike at dusk again.
Oh. My. God. I think I laughed so hard I was crying. I also have an allergy to physical exertion. I think we may be related. For realsies.
I have been thinking the same thing. We have to be long, lost cousins or something!
At least you’re afraid of something real. I make Jim go upstairs first after we watch The Walking Dead in case of zombie attack. Fear of bears is an EXCELLENT excuse to avoid hiking though. I might borrow that. Because, now that I think about it, I’m afraid of bears too!
Yes! Bears are the best excuse. I mean, who could argue with that? After I read “The Exorcist” I was terrified of open windows at night. I made my boyfriend at the time close them up before I entered the room…haha!
Spooky
yet you made me smile as usual dear Lillian 
Caught this over on Twitter. Fun read, and I’m glad you were safe! But talk about spooky looking trees in that last picture. There’s a Stephen King tale in there somewhere.
Usually are trees just look like overgrown broccoli. These trees were creepy! If I ever write a horror novel I won’t need illustrations.
When my husband was hiking in Montana, they were told not to go without bear repellant. I’m thinking you need to get yourself some. Glad you’re safe!
I did not know such a thing existed! I think I might spray some around te fence too. I don’t know if bear can climb…
The Blair Witch Project has traumatized me and I will never go camping in the woods again. Wait, I never went camping before watching that movie
Not to mention, we live nowhere near the woods. I’d be scared of bears too!
It sounds like you are safe then (also from exercise…heh). The Blair Witch scared the crap out of me even though I knew it wasn’t real.
I love Tiny Small’s coat! It so cute! Have you seen the film “We bought a ZOO” staring Matt Damon? It features a great scene with a bear
No, but I have heard that movie was funny. We will have to look for it on Netflix.
I’m with Tiny Small. I often think, while out exerting myself, that there should be egg rolls or ice cream waiting for me at my destination. Although, in this case, it’s a good thing there was not, because it probably would have attracted the bears.
Sometimes you just have to be thankful for the little things. We did get egg rolls after we got home though…and hot chocolate!
Glad you are safe! We have bears and cougars living with us. By this the bear poops on our property nightly we clean it in the AM. The courgar is about 1km from our house… Needless to say my kids aren’t allowed outside alone. Although I do love it here!
It sounds like we are dealing with similar animals! I am glad we got the fence put in. It makes me feel a little safer!
Hahaha!!! Too funny. Even as adults when our imaginations take over we are silly. Glad youmade it safe!!