Today I rode across Glacier for about 6 hours, stopping now and then to explore.
At one point, I reached a promising spot with some trails leading this way and that toward a beautiful lake, with all shapes and sizes of mountains in the distance. I chose my path and started walking, quickly passing a family of four who were headed in the opposite direction, back to their car.
I walked a few more moments and then paused. The parking lot had exactly one car in it. Presumably, it belonged to the family that had just left. Crunching the numbers, I realized that I was completely alone on this trail. A few paces later, I came across a discomfiting sign that read "YOU ARE ENTERING GRIZZLY COUNTRY." It encouraged me to keep my bear spray at the ready, and to stay alert.
I was certainly alert, but I had no bear spray. I was wearing a motorcycle helmet, which made me feel a tad safer but also less aware of anything that might be lurking near me. I paused and considered... and then immediately hightailed it back to the parking lot.
Another visitor had arrived! He was on his own, and he seemed to be eyeing the path I had just abandoned. I struck up a conversation and he agreed to join me for a short walk.
Here's Dave:
At one point, I reached a promising spot with some trails leading this way and that toward a beautiful lake, with all shapes and sizes of mountains in the distance. I chose my path and started walking, quickly passing a family of four who were headed in the opposite direction, back to their car.
I walked a few more moments and then paused. The parking lot had exactly one car in it. Presumably, it belonged to the family that had just left. Crunching the numbers, I realized that I was completely alone on this trail. A few paces later, I came across a discomfiting sign that read "YOU ARE ENTERING GRIZZLY COUNTRY." It encouraged me to keep my bear spray at the ready, and to stay alert.
I was certainly alert, but I had no bear spray. I was wearing a motorcycle helmet, which made me feel a tad safer but also less aware of anything that might be lurking near me. I paused and considered... and then immediately hightailed it back to the parking lot.
Another visitor had arrived! He was on his own, and he seemed to be eyeing the path I had just abandoned. I struck up a conversation and he agreed to join me for a short walk.
Here's Dave:
I snapped a surreptitious shot of him because he didn't seem the type to pose for a photo. He's a retired janitor from Maryland and an inveterate complainer. He said he came here for two weeks with the goal of only hiking remote trails, but was quickly scared off by a mortal fear of bears. A man after my own heart.
We saw this glorious mountain, with a red streak due to iron that had, according to an informative placard, more or less rusted a long time ago:
And we had this lake nearly all to ourselves.
We were quickly joined by a bride and groom! They were wandering the park posing for wedding photos. Brilliant idea. Here's the lucky guy:
And here's the gorgeous and elegant back of the beautiful bride. Dave is no doubt complaining about something here. Classic Dave.
Here's to Dave, and to a solid walkabout made possible by our shared fear of being mercilessly torn to pieces by a bloodthirsty grizzly bear.
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