Speaking of popcorn...don't these popcorn s'mores sound delicious? I might try making those for our next fun summer activity. Or maybe just for no special occasion at all.
Oh, and, speaking of s'mores...our 4th of July weekend was a special occasion. We met up with my sister's family in the good ol' state of Massachusetts. Our weekend was complete with a camping trip in the Berkshires...in which s'mores were a main event!
I want to tell you about our camping and our Fourth of July adventures, but right now I want to tell you about the other main event, for me anyway. I had a midnight encounter with...
...a bear, yes...that's right, I said a BEAR! On our first night in the Appalachians! Here's the hairy story...
We had been in the car since about Noon and had only stopped once, early on, for a dinner and bathroom break. We arrived at the campsite around 10 PM or so. We hugged and talked, set up our sleeping gear, admired the breathtaking starry sky, tickled and teased my cute little niece, and then decided it was time to hit the sack. By that time, I really, REALLY, REALLY had to use the restroom.
After receiving directions from my Bro-in-law as to which way the latrine was, I walked, in the dark, to the campground restrooms with a headlamp positioned on my forehead. I was a little unsure if I was using the right roadway to get to the bathroom, but I could see the building's lamplight from a distance. Just as I was starting to get that walking-alone-in-the-dark-in-the-forest kind of anxiety, I heard a low narling growl...
...I had never before heard a live bear growl, but...I have watched Animal Planet enough to know that THAT sound...well, it just HAD TO BE a bear! Next thing I know I'm thinking "RUN, RUN, RUN!" , while running full speed the other direction, back to our campsite, with my wanna-be Keds clopping heavily one after another on the blacktop. I continued screaming inside my head... "OH MY GOSH, I'M RUNNING FROM A BEAR! WHAT IF IT CATCHES UP TO ME AND CLOBBERS ME? MAULS ME TO DEATH?" " JUST PLAY DEAD!" "CLIMB A TREE!" "AAAAAAAAA"
As I reached the campsite, I realized that everyone was safe in their tents. I scrambled to find the zipper of the one Connel and I were sleeping in. "OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS I JUST HEARD A BEAR AND I AM NOT KIDDING!" I quietly yelled (as to not guide the bear in my direction) and threw open the zipper! I sprawled inside, quickly shutting myself inside the tent. (In hindsight, I'm not sure was a nylon tent wall was going to do to protect me from a hungry bear but with the barrier and my husband with me, I felt somewhat protected.)
My husband, quietly asked if I was SURE it was a bear and did I SEE it? My sister and brother-in-law (in the adjacent tent) were silent for a bit and then asked if I was okay. Hannah was finally sleeping, so were the nieces. I was still tense and listening for any sign of rustling or growling. I told Connel that Hannah was not sleeping beside us anymore, but was sleeping in between us. I lay awake for awhile in silent appreciation for my husbands iPhone playing primary lullabies (which were soothing me more than they were our little chica) and trying not to think about how I REALLY HAD TO GO to the BATHROOM!!!
The next morning, at 5 AM, I woke to early sunshine and the inevitable camping wake-up call...the sound of chirping birdies. My bladder ached. I made my mind up that I was going to go out and go the bathroom. I saw my mace keychain attached to my keys and decided that, if a bear were to attack me, I could spray it in the eyes so it couldn't see, then escape the jaws of death.
I climbed out of my sleeping bag, put on my shoes, and opened the tent door. I carefully looked around and saw that the bathroom was a straight shot up the hill. I climbed from the tent and hurriedly hiked/ran up the hill, slammed through the women's room door and into the bathroom stall.
On my way out of the bathroom I was still cautious, but told myself that it was just daybreak, and there were probably no bears out at this time of day. A little more relaxed (for more than one reason) I started making my way back to the campsite. When I heard the growling again...
I stopped in my tracks. With my heart beating out of my chest, I looked around, cautiously, for signs of a big black bear rummaging through someone's campsite. I heard it again. Softer this time. Wait...no...maybe it's just a dog...It could have sworn it was a... I didn't get so scared over just...
...oh geez...is that some dude SNORING?!!?
Later that morning my sister asked me about the "incident with the bear" and I tried to act cool but it all ended with rolls of laughter at me and my silly anxiety and the whole situation. Was it really someone snoring? Or a dog? Or were my fears grounded? It COULD have been a bear...really! I think that it could have also been that the audio book I was listening to on the way, was talking all about the authors fear of meeting a bear while hiking the Appalachian Trail, and it scared me to death and gave me the notion that I would have to protect myself from some bear somewhere.
All I know is that if I ever DO come upon a REAL bear. I hope it's not when I am on my way to the bathroom, because next time, I might not be able to hold it!
*More on our weekend of s'mores and s'nores later! Ha ha!
Have you ever had a bear encounter?
4 comments:
LOL LOL LOL!!! That is so funny!! I have never encountered a bear before. Thankfully. It looks like you guys had a great time. And now I really want a smore!
That is hilarious! I can just imagine you getting your mace out and trying to spray a gigantic scary bear in the eyes. lol That would have freaked me out too though!! Except I probably I would've just peed my pants. : P
P.S. LOVE the pictures.
my only encounter is bear world. I totally believe you. You are so brave! I really don't like camping. Those animals don't want me there in their world! =) haha. Sounds fun though, where's my sense of adventure?
That is my worst fear!!! I begged Brian to buy me bear spray, he won't, and we just went camping and I couldn't sleep cause of my fear of being attacked.
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