Did I say Scared?

Did I say Scared?

Lone camping has afforded me the opportunity to see wild life at its very best. Bear, moose, beaver, heron, turtle, owl, badger, deer, raccoon, porcupine, mice, chipmunk, beaver, fox and the like.

One time, in the early evening, I was sipping fresh brewed coffee and heard a light rustling in the bushes. Looking up I saw a mature bull moose not ten feet from my tent. I was flabbergasted and excited to see this majestic creature so close and yet he was as unpretentious as a welcomed guest.

I laugh now when I recall my first venture into lone camping. Did I say scared? Every thud, spooky shadow, eerie sound; when the tent walls quivered in the breeze, I was absolutely convinced that the axe murderer was coming to get me. I was ready to defend myself against anything out there but I was not really sure what anything was. I had a whistle and a small fillet knife attached to my belt but how would that help if a bear as big as as house decided to take me down?

I wouldn't exactly call myself an amateur but I realized that I lacked solo camping skills. For one thing I really hadn't thought about living with self, alone and isolated. Some people can't stand to be alone three seconds and they just can't divorce themselves from the urban noise and the chatter of other folks.

I learned to do all that and reap the benefits.

After packing your gear in, setting up camp, building a fire, making your own meal, and spending the night stargazing, I assure you that you will have a new found sense of confidence. You know you can survive, outside and alone. And that is more than most people know or care to know about themselves. The sense of adventure moves the inner spirit and enables you to embrace life, live with self and have a greater appreciation for creation in all its wonder in an environment of peace and quiet.

 

WOW!

Have ya ever seen a grown man cry and beg not to be eaten? [With my luck he wouldn't even understand English. French, Polish, anything, what?] Gosh...the head on this creature seems as big as the guy who bagged him. This is far beyond my experience - "damn good," I say!


Now this is more like it...don't you think? I don't want to give anyone the impression I'm a wimp or "notin like tat". But something like this would be a bit more comforting. Oh ya...

 

"DITTO" as they say. But...then again....given the right set of circumstances I wouldn't mind viewing these majestic animals in their natural habatat. Absolutely and definitely not hunting.

 

"I'll say..."