Bear There!!

Well, I can't believe I'm able to post from my Iphone, but it looks like I can do this.. Thanks to those auto-upgrades in software that announce themselves whenever I plug it in to sync it w/ my computer! But you signed on to read about nature not technology right?

Well, today I saw something that, if I were to be completely honest, I've often feared. And at the same time, it's something I never thought would ever really happen.

While our intention today was to drive down from our B&B in New Market, VA, through the lower part of the Shenandoah Valley and back up by way of the scenic road that runs along the very top of the blue ridge mountains. We got behind schedule, distracted by the grave of Robert E. Lee, Washington college, and walking the grounds of VMI (cadets in uniform can have that effect, speaking for myself *insert giggle*). It was almost sunset by the time we drove up to the National Park's gate, and paid our $15. With that came a brochure which I glanced at, my attention being caught by the caution about bears and deer. Though it was more about not feeding them so they can stay wild than about our SAFETY, a little chill ran through me... Though fleeting, I vividly pictured a bear attacking my side of the car, pulling me by the arm clean through the window, and a humiliating snippet of video shot by a tourits playing ad nauseum on the news for all the world to see. A terrible end in all ways. (BTW, this is my imagination WITHOUT the aid of caffiene or chocolate!).

Within seconds that mental romp was forgotten as I turned my attention to the gorgeous scenery. I mean all sorts of people hike and camp in the woods and few ever come across a bear. I got lost in the panoramic views and the foilage, which looked all the more afire for the last golden rays of the sun. And suddenly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world (um, which it actually Is, city girl), I saw 2 black bears out the window on my side!

And It was so amazing to actually BE seeing them, there was only a sense of wonder, not anxiety. I imagined I'd have been more likely to jump on my husband lap, this blocking his view as well as the wheel and we'd crash into a tree or something. Instead I said, " stop, I see 2 bears!!". He did a U-turn on a dime and scooted back to the spot where I fumbled with the movie camera. If I can figure it out I will post it here once home. It ends up that there was a cub as well. The bear looked right at us for a timeless few moments and only for a nano second, in the very back of my consciousness, did I consider the aforementioned horror scene. It was just too amazing to grok that I was seeing the animal that-- let's face it-- brings up that Lind of fear on most of us. But in it's natural setting it was quite an honor to have a glimpse. I work with exotic animals regularly but to really see these bears living in the forest on their own left me struck with wonder and awe.

Animals do have such power over us! More on this later. My index finger may need a cast...