Bear Country

Posted at the entrance of each trail is a reminder that we are hiking in bear country.  Many hiking articles encourage caution especially when hiking alone.  To heed this caution I try to practice what I call the snowplow method of hiking.  I wait at the trailhead hoping to find other hikers that are entering the same trail.  When they come onto the trail I let them go first.  They plow the way. Plus if there is a need for a speedy retreat I have got a head start on them.  How is that for bravery?   So I am waiting at the trailhead when two young girls enter the trail.  They look to be 19 or 20 years of age.  Okay this will work.  I can walk behind them and keep a fatherly eye out for them.  I have had practice keeping an eye on a 19 year old.   I give them a ten step head start.  Didn't want to appear as a hovering older adult.  When I started out on the trail all I saw was their dust.  I couldn't believe how fast they were.  Before I knew it they were out of sight.   I guess they will not work as my snowplow.   I walked a little further and ran into a couple from Pittsburgh, PA.  The people I know from Pittsburgh are great people so this might work.  Besides, they look like they are in their 50's.  Maybe I can keep up with this couple.  I learned they are Italians.  This of course is not a problem except they liked to talk.  They had 30 words to every step.  I can talk with the best of them but this pace was slowing me way down.  I went on ahead of them.  Wait! Now I am a snowplow.  This plan is not working out so well.