#5

So I am riding my bike in Yosemite on our second day. We were having a grand time. I felt like I was in Disneyland. The weather was gorgeous, the wind was blowing through my (short) hair, my kids were laughing, my husband was snapping photos. I was just cruising along when I came around a corner and saw this sitting in the middle of the bike trail.

Yes, #5 was sitting 20 feet in front of me. My knobby tires came to a screeching halt. Okay...the bear pamphlet, I didn't read the pamphlet, I know not to run...they want food...I have none. I turned around to tell my family and other bikers to slow down since #5 was not interested in moving. Then I turn around and see the rangers...they had obviously been tracking this guy with GPS. Anyway, the rangers let us take our photos as they tried to keep the bear back off the trail and he just continued to trot down the bike path.

We saw four bears during our visit to Yosemite. Which I hear is pretty cool considering I know other folks who have been there a dozen times and never seen a bear. But next time, I am actually going to read the pamphlet.

Comments

[megan]

OH!! awesome. i've had 4 bear encounters so far in my life (wilderness i mean - while hiking) and they've all been great and uh yes exhilarating. but this poor guy has to go around with his big collar and a #5 sign plate on his ear??!! i hope it doesn't bother him too much. you should make a little #5 bear in honor of him and your encounter. :-)

[theresa]

wow--his head is so small I didn't even realize that he was a bear! Poor guy, that thing on him looks dreadful.