The Canadian Rocky Mountains

The Canadian Rocky Mountains

I have visited the Rockies many, many, many times in my life, even from an early age. But they never ever disappoint. This year was a bit different, however, from former recent visits. This year – given the dates I was staying – meant that my sister's husband Art was unable to accompany us into the mountains since he had to be at work. (Drat that work which keeps interrupting our fun!)

While I am a feminist that believes in equal rights between the genders, I do admit that there are some times when I am much more comfortable when there is a man in our company. One of those occasions is when I am on the paths of the wild forests of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Why, you ask?

Well the Canadian Rocky mountains is most decidedly “Bear Country”. No exaggeration. And we're not talking friendly “Yogi Bear' type of bears either. We're talking black bears, brown bears and grizzly bears. Somehow I just feel more secure when Art is along, armed with his bear spray.

We stopped at the Kananaskis tourist information hut. The man there said – since it was high berry season - it was “LIKELY” we would see a bear. He told us to “ASSUME” we would see a bear. Not exactly what we wanted to hear, I admit.

We did not let this stop us, however. We too were armed with bear spray – AND knew how to use it. I had it strapped to my fanny pack belt and during those moments before going around bends etc. may even have had it at the ready in my hands. Note: A person must be able to react quickly, within 2 seconds of a charging bear. And we 'yodelled' every now and again – a great way to warn bears we're in the area. There was a down side to this, though – hard to get the Sound of Music's yodel song “The Lonely Goatherd – Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo” out of my head.

Happily we did not encounter any bears on our walks although we had hoped to see them while in our car.

 

Wild life seen: Angry squirrel.