So I broke North with no delay *

I've always been enamored of members of the Ursidae family, having grown up going to the Oregon Zoo a lot, and always wanting to spend more time in that area than in any other. Ursus maritimus has always been my favorite of the bears, but I love them all. In fact, for the minute I was a Zoology major, I considered focusing on the study of bears (Ursology?). I curse my math-feeble brain for holding me back from that, with a possible failing grade in Physics on the horizon.

When Cal and I decided to take a vacation this year (our first since our honeymoon 3 years ago), and we decided on Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park, I only had one thing on my mind: Bears. Not the threat of encountering one on a hike or picnic, but the promise of seeing one from a respectable distance. Because, while I daydream about cuddling up with a bear and perhaps talking over the state of the world, I know the reality of their ferocity.

While I was helping Cal watch the road for deer, elk, sheep, and goats, I was all the while scanning for signs of Beardom. In the brush right off the road, in the distant tree-filled slopes, on the lakefront taking a bath. Nothing. Lots of mountain goats, Bighorn sheep, ground squirrels, deer (oh my heavens, did we see deer!) but not a bear to be found.

The day before we left for home, we were coming back from our beautiful hike at Haystack Butte. I was feeling a bit glum, having encountered no bears during our trip. After we crossed back into Canada, on our way to the lodge, we noticed cars were stopped at the side of the road. We pulled over to see what I assumed to be some boring old mountain goats (we had seen so many, it almost wasn't interesting anymore.) On the little hill, about 100 feet from the car, I saw some ears (4 of them) poking up that definitely did not belong to a goat. Or a sheep. Or a deer. I thought maybe they belonged to some wolves.

And then...
they raised their heads...
and we saw...

(No, it wasn't a Two-Headed Bear)

















*My excitement at seeing two young grizzly bears from my car window was a high that lasted for days. I had an excited little hand-dance I would give intermittently while Cal was driving, always to the tune of "Girls" by the Beastie Boys. But, of course, it wasn't girls I was singing about, it was bears (two at a time I want...)

I will have to write more about our trip later in the week, as I'm headed up to Seattle tomorrow for Riesling Rendezvous, hoping to bring some information back to my people and bust some myths about Riesling. As I've said before, my job sucks.

I really should send W. a Thank You note

After all, we wouldn't have been able to take a summer vacation without his stimulus (sorry, couldn't resist.) In fact, I can't remember the last time I took a summer vacation as an adult.

Glacier National Park, I will sign your name to the card, too.

(Our decision to spend the stimulus on a vacation is great and all, but it's not as good as the guy Cal heard about who was going to donate his entire stimulus check to the Obama campaign.)

Summer Eye Candy, Part 1

This is one of my favorite views in my yard right now: Icelandic Poppies as viewed through the artichokes.

















One of few Peonies that bloom in our yard.

















My favorite rosebush. It's also the healthiest, right in front of the house.



My Oregon strawberries (not actually from my yard) before vacuum-packing and freezer treatment.