Re: [Paddlewise] Bears

> Bears are a relevant subject to kayaking, and firearms are a relevant
> subject when dealing with bears. 

   I think your only about two steps away here from connecting sea kayaking 
to Kevin Bacon!



   Probably the most memorable meal I have ever partaken was not in some 
outrageously priced restaurant in Laguna Beach where the waiters wear white gloves 
and set your napkin on your lap for you (I can do that myself, thank you very 
much), but rather an unpretentious breakfast on a remote beach on the outer 
coast of Vancouver Island. It was a few years ago and my two companions and 
myself had been out kayaking for about a week and were slowly heading back to our 
starting point at Tofino. We were still a few days away when we stopped for 
the night at this wonderful little cove with a small creek which came out of 
the forest and ran down the beach into the ocean. 
   When we awoke the next morning we were surprised to find fresh wolf tracks 
around and through our little camp. I was a little disappointed in that I am 
generally a very light sleeper and would have loved to catch a glimpse of our 
nocturnal guests. Regardless, we set about making breakfast in some larger 
rocks by the creek which would serve as makeshift stools and tables. As we were 
having breakfast a large black bear (have you ever noticed how there are never 
any stories about small bears) ambled out of the forest about a hundred yards 
down the beach and began foraging for it's own breakfast in the tide pools 
that had been exposed by the low tide. We were not "packing any heat," and as far 
as I could tell neither was the bear -- so there would be no unnecessary 
shootings on this morning. We just continued with our meal, as did the bear. Just 
as we were aware of the bear's presence, so it was aware of ours. We didn't 
bother it, and it didn't bother us. Eventually the bear wandered back into the 
forest, and we packed up and left.
   I think of that breakfast on the beach as the definition, as least for me, 
of what sea kayaking is all about, and why I do it. Sure, I love the speed 
and adrenaline rush of dropping down the face of a big wave in my surf boat. But 
you don't really remember the individual waves. Not like that morning on 
Vancouver Island with Rod and Lowell, and my friend the bear. 

Scott
So.Cal.

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************