**Wednesday, September 17,
2014**
One day, while we were walking through a
decommissioned campground in search of a nearby hot springs, Rich
notices a bear coming down a trail, just a ways off to the left of where we are
walking.
It's a bear cub, and it's playfully bounding to some destination or other. A real cutey. Shortly afterwards, the
cub's momma comes into view.
This is my first bear sighting ever.
They
are magnificent beasts in their natural environment. Rich has had
many sightings - he thinks about ten. He is very calm around them. Not me.
The destination of the two bears was for water.
There was an old horse-watering-trough up there, and the spigot leaked water on
the ground.
Since it is a momma and cub, I tell Rich we should quickly head on our
way - yes, I was being a real Nervous Nelly. I get my way, and we abandon the hunt for the hot springs. Walking back, we
make lots and lots of noise.
For me, this bear sighting will be a lasting memory.
(Here is a photo from Paulina Falls, near the area of the black bear encounter.)
