USVI-On-Line

The grizzly was definitely a freak-out moment. He was a young bear, probably about 2-3 years old and about 300 lbs. He just showed up and followed about 100 feet behind us for about 20 minutes. It was an awkward situation for the bear and for us. He wasn't very happy about it either. He kept looking for another way to go, but there wasn't one. The trail ran directly beside a long lake. The lake was about 10 feet from the trail on one side, blocking exit that way; the other side was a steep, rocky embankment going up the mountain, blocking exit that way. The only exit for either us or the bear was to go back to the trailhead. Since the bear was between us and it, we weren't doing that. Since the trailhead had about 40 busloads of tourists milling around taking photos of the lake, the bear wasn't doing it either.

We were all just sorta stuck going in the same direction. We didn't know what to do. We have read 1000 times what to do when you see a grizzly and EVERYTHING says to consider any bear that doesn't move away from you or that moves toward you as an aggressive bear. They usually move away when they encounter a person. We just did everything we could to avoid getting him agitated. We spoke loudly and firmly so that he could identify us as human ("they" say that sometimes this will do the trick), we didn't make eye contact, we made no sudden moves, and we just kept moving steadily forward so he didn't feel trapped. We had no freakin' idea what we were doing, and I think we just got lucky that this bear simply wasn't interested in us. He was just going in the same direction. The ranger later told us (when we reported the bear, as you are required to do) that the grizzlies feed at the end of that lake...where we were headed. He was just going the same way and wanted to use the trail too. As luck would have it, as long as we didn't bother him, he chose not to bother us.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, God protects the innocent and the stupid. Y'all all know I am pretty stupid.

Funny confession, I was perfectly fine during the entire experience. I didn't freak out and remained eerily calm (I mean, I'm the girl that walked on water and started shrieking in gibberish to strangers the first time I saw a shark.....). I even took the time to stop, change my lens, and photograph him a few times. It was pretty cool while it was happening. However, about 10 minutes after the bear moved in a different direction and we were in the clear....my heart suddenly started beating really fast, I got light headed and dizzy, and I couldn't breathe. I literally felt like I was dying. It lasted about 3 minutes and then stopped. Only thing I can figure is that my body FINALLY reacted....well after the danger was over. Thanks body, for preparing me for "fight or flight" WAY after the event. Way to go.

I guess this is what happens as you near 40. Things that should react fast just...don't. I think I need a new body.....

Yikes. Grizzlies WAY scarier than sharks.

Dont like the metric system? I kinda like it after a few days, and I find those 1 and 2 dollar Canadian coins they have up there very handy, but I know I'm in the minority with these opinions.

Speaking of 300 lb bears....

Biker runs into 300-pound bear and lives to tell the tale
By Tristan Scott
tristan.scott@lee.net

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Jim Litz is accustomed to pedaling past 300-pound black bears on his morning commute to work. “I’ve come close to them this time of year,” Litz said, clutching his side and grimacing.

“I know bears. The entire creek bottom is just hammered by bears. That’s the beauty of living here. But typically, they’re crossing the road and I have plenty of time to avoid them.”

That wasn’t the case during Litz’s Monday morning ride down Bear Run Creek Road, up above Miller Creek. The 57-year-old man passes slender serviceberry branchlets and dogwoods festooned with bear feed, and frequently spots the animals noshing berries on his way to work at Target Range Middle School, where he teaches science to seventh and eighth-graders. Usually, the animals barrel off the road and out of sight.

This time, however, Litz was clipping along the dirt road at 25 mph when he came upon a rise, spied a massive black bear 10 feet in front of him, and pedaled directly into the animal, T-boning its broad side.

“I didn’t have time to respond. I never even hit my brakes,” Litz said.

He tumbled over his handlebars, planting his helmeted head on the bruin’s back, and man and beast went cart-wheeling down the road.

The bear rolled over Litz’s head, and its mass cracked his helmet. As the duo toppled over one another, the bear clawed at Litz’s cycling jacket, scratching his flesh from shoulder to buttocks before scampering up a hill above the road, where it stopped and whined.

Litz’s wife drove by soon after and took her husband to Community Medical Center, and he immediately called Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to report the unusual collision. Game wardens told him they didn’t think the ani-mal was seriously injured, but was more likely suffering from some bruised ribs – just like Litz.

“Yep, that’s my bear story,” Litz said Tuesday afternoon, too sore and bruised to go to work, but certain that he’d be back in the saddle by Friday. “That day it just happened to be on that particular corner of the road, and all the stars were lined up against me.”

The rib contusions are painful, and the scrapes down his back aren’t pretty, but Litz figures he made out on top given the circumstances.

Litz’s wife rides her bike to work, too. But she drives down past the feeding gauntlet on Bear Run Creek Road and parks along Miller Creek Road before pulling her road bike off the roof of her car.

As for Litz’s bike, a cyclo-cross, it survived unscathed aside for the front wheel coming slightly out of true. But pointing to his cracked helmet, Litz hopes the story inspires his students to wear their helmets.

“I was lucky. I was truly lucky, because I accosted the bear and he let me live,” Litz said. “I truly respect them. They’re beautiful creatures.”

Vicki, that sounded like a very nervous moment. I think you handled it well. The pictures are great. When you are a nature photographer you have to seek the close ups, right

Anyway, this will be a great memory for you.

Vicki--

two VERY important questions. Where did your friend get that REALLy cool bear and crossbones black t-shirt?

And.....

How did they import all of that STJ turquoise blue water to Canada without a permit??

Those ARE important!

Where did your friend get that REALLy cool bear and crossbones black t-shirt?

That is MY shirt and it's a kids t-shirt that I picked up here in Knoxville. I guess they don't think adults should wear bear pirate t-shirts. What do they know? It's some kind of nature kids brand. I'll have to see who makes it. Dontcha love it?

How did they import all of that STJ turquoise blue water to Canada without a permit??

Obviously....I am simply drawn to places with gorgeous turquoise water, huh?

I enjoyed your pictures so much Vicki that I forwarded the link to my mother. She went to Banff a couple of years ago and I knew she would love seeing your beautiful pictures. Thanks!

WOW!!!!!

stampede chuck wrote:Hey, you gotta be tough to take the cold! That being said, we sometimes wonder why we live here ... but then again, we just look around (see Vicki's pix) and wonder why we'd live anywhere else!!

Besides, it just makes the trips to St John and the Caribbean that much more meaningful.

I couldn't have said it better myself Stampede Chuck.

Vicki, your photos are stunning. Thank you so much for posting them.