Stories of our Lives : How on earth did I happen to be here?
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Editor's note: Members of the Lifewriting class at the Rogers Adult Wellness Center were asked to submit their stories to The Hometown News. We hope this will become a regular addition to our editorial page with a variety of writing styles and a multitude of memories representing the diversity that makes Rogers what it is today. Lynn Bradford and his family came to Arkansas in 1965, when Emerson Electric moved its manufacturing operation from Colorado Springs, Colo. He is now retired after 50 years in industrial management. He also published the company newsletter. This story was only his second assignment in Lifewriting.
• • • Here: A hiking trail going to Gull Rock north of Hope, Alaska, with a mother black bear in the woods just below the trail and a baby bear in the woods just above the trail. August 1992, midafternoon.
My son, Bruce, and I were returning from a five-mile hike from our campground to Gull Rock. Signs at the trailhead warned of bears in the area but we didn't expect to see any.
On our way up, we met a group of people coming out. One man was carrying a big shotgun and he had a big revolver on his belt. He said," Where are your guns ? Don't you know that this is bear country ?"
Bruce and I decided that a trigger happy guy with all of those guns was probably more dangerous than all the bears in Alaska.
It had been a great hike. We saw huge spruce trees, beautiful flowers and spectacular views. The only people we saw were the group with the guns. As the old poem says," It was so quiet you almost could hear."
Bruce carried the pack. I carried my camera and me. He cooked us a good lunch on the little camp stove and we headed back to camp.
About two miles from camp, we heard a loud huffing noise in the woods just below the trail. We both said," Bears ! "Suddenly, a small black bear cub ran across the trail and into the woods above the trail.
As we recalled the things we had read about bears in Alaska, one thing stood out, don't ever get between a bear and her cub. We began to think of the guy with the big guns. As we retreated back up the trail, Bruce got out our weapons, a big spoon and a pan to bang it on. Things didn't look too good.
Mama Bear, obviously upset with her unruly child, came up on the trail. She looked at us as if to say," Don't mess with me. "
She went up into the woods after the cub and we heard him being disciplined. They both soon came back across the trail. Mama stopped, looked at us as if to say," Don't start anything," and went into the woods below the trail.
This was the biggest adventure of our two-week Alaska trip and I tried to get it recorded on film, but I had the big lens on the camera and I couldn't get it to focus. The pictures do show a couple of black spots, and we explain to people that those are the bears. I don't know why we get so many," Oh yeah, sure they are," from people just before they walk away.
Bruce said the reason I couldn't focus was because I was too scared. I reminded him of the commandment that says "Honor Thy father."
So, what was it that brought me to that place at that time ? I guess the Lord was blessing me with a great memory from a great Alaska trip.
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