BEAR!

Sunday, Lynn and I rode alone on Underwood. First, we pulled out or kicked out star thistle. Both of us thought of the weedeater about the same time. We made a plan to go back one evening (when it's not so dang hot) and eradicate it from our parking spot. Anyway, we spent some time pulling weeds before getting the horses out.

There was a big, fresh pile of bear scat right by the trailer. It was obvious, somebody had been eating the berries right there. Luckily, we both managed to avoid stepping it while we were getting the horses ready to ride.

It was a good ride. We rode along looking for bear, but not seeing any. We actually didn't see any wild animals. Both dogs stayed pretty close and came when called--a positive. The horses behaved and there were bees flying around, but we did not see any ground nests. We trotted and had a pretty good pace most of the day. On the last leg of the trail, Lynn said she wanted a picture of the pond. It was full of cattails and whatnot. So instead of turning we rode along it toward the south side.

Right when Lynn stopped near the water's edge, I heard a deep, warning growl. It brought me up quick as Jupes was stepping through some down branches--I wasn't sure what I was hearing. Lynn said something about how unusual it was, but at the time I didn't realize it was Haley. She was far enough ahead of me that I thought it came from the thick underbrush. I just knew that it wasn't the sound of Jupiter's feet on the wood. The next time I heard it, it was a definite growl. I still didn't realize it was Haley, but I said, "I think we should get out of here." So we both turned the horses back toward the trail and rode back to the trailer without incident. We trotted and swooped around the trail--it was fun. (Alisa picture the spot where Keota always lopes so prettily.)

Walking down the dirt road back to the trailer, Lynn told me that it had been Haley growling. She said, "Haley doesn't do that." So we decided it probably had been a bear having a snooze in the brush by the pond. After brushing the boys, but they were still tied to the trailer, I started brushing Ziva, I love Underwood, but dang! the burrs are awful! I was near the trailer tire, when Ziggy whirled around, eyes and ears pointed out toward the brush to the east. Jupes followed suit. I looked at both of them--high alert. So I thought, I probably shouldn't be down near their feet brushing my dog. I called her to come over to the road and I continued to brush her. Haley was near us.

Suddenly a big bear stuck his head and shoulders out onto the road about 50 feet from us. Haley saw him instantly and took off running, with Ziva hot on her tail. I yelled, "Bear!" and starting hollering for the dogs to come back. Lynn came flying over, but the bear had already retreated back into the brush he was coming from. Both dogs stopped and looked at the spot (maybe they could still see him) and then ran back to us. Yay!!! Both horses remained on high alert, looking at the area where the bear was headed--maybe there was more than one? Yay, I got to see a bear--well, half of it, anyway--AND, most importantly, everyone was safe.

Another perfect day ahorseback!