Finally got out again and went to Hoegee with my son's Boyscout Troop. Five of us in all; three Scouts and two dads. It was a nice leisurely walk right after a couple of days of rain. Perfect weather and did not get to cold at night (I slept outside my bag!). We did have one rather noteworthy event though...
We set up camp and had lunch, and then we all decided to take a little nap. About an hour later I got up and checked to see if anyone wanted to walk up to Sturtevant Camp. The only taker was my son, so we headed off. It was a nice walk and warmed up quite a bit. We got to the camp and walked around a bit, and then decided we needed to get back...that is when the action started.
We got about two miles back down the trail, walking a comfortable pace, and came around the bend of the trail. Right there, about 10 to 15 yards away, sitting smack in the middle of the trail was a bear! A big bear! About a 200 pound bear!!! It had it's back to us, and must of not heard us coming as it was looking off the other direction. I froze in my tracks and just stared at it for a moment. My mind was racing...should I yell to scare it off...grab the camera...could I out run my son (just kidding)...
As I am standing there fervently pondering what to do, I hear my son blurt out, "HOLY CRUD!" Well, that got the bears attention. It reared up and turned looking straight at us. Now I am thinking the same thing my son just yelled, and then the bear turns and starts to run down the side of the hill away from us. I make a grab for my camera, and before I can get it out, he is gone. My son and I stood there for a moment and decided not only was it pretty cool we saw a bear, but also that it did not eat us!
We headed back to camp, making lots of noise this time, and shared our adventure with the rest of the gang over the dinner they were just finishing cooking as we walked up.
This one will be remembered for some time...just wish I would of had my camera ready.
