Black bears and golden rules By Luke Simmons

Although my wife and I were excited about being in the beautiful Sequoia National Park, we were a little nervous spending our first night in "bear country".

Dutifully following the required protocol, we stowed all of our scented items in the lockable bins to ensure we wouldn't get "carjacked" overnight. After all, this was going to be our place of rest for the night and we were informed by the ranger that it would take minimal effort for them to get in if their hunger levels demanded.

Once it got late, we collected our toiletries and cautiously walked the 50m by torchlight to the toilets. "Okay", I thought, now let's just go to bed after we'd finished up.

We took a few steps then witnessed an adult black bear bound away from us at a rapid pace. I was frightened because it was faster than I could run! We returned straight away to the safety of the bathrooms not knowing whether there were more behind him - or whether he was after us! My poor wife was in hysterics and she didn't want to leave. I looked around out our stinky bush toilet and thought that this aint gonna be our place of rest for the night!

The useful thing I had learned was that they're scared of loud noise, so I said I'd rush to the car and then come back here. Camila didn't like that idea. I pushed forward with it anyhow and found that she'd decided to join me in my half run, half NKOTB-style stomping dance towards the car.

We made it safely, locked the doors and let out HUGE sighs of relief.


in Sequoia National Park, Three Rivers, CA

 3,597

I believe that life is a (relatively) short ride and that it's crucial to squeeze as many good times out of it as possible. I love travelling, music, reading, writing, all kinds o' sport, & my wife!

See Luke's profile.

Luke's website.

Subscribe


  • Share this on...
  • Twitter

Flag this story



You might like: