Pink Kona
05-19-2004, 12:15 PM
and bears - OH MY!
Last night after work my husband went on his biweekly adventure to Little Si - a climbing area in the North Cascades. Eager to try some new mountain biking territory - I came along and ventured to a ride called the CCC Road. Happy to be outside in the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest I quickly climbed 3 miles of steep logging grade to a double track.
I passed through several "Road Closed" gates - leaving any chance of human encounter behind me. The sun was shining - the weather pleasant - but as I started slowing due to the steepening of the grade - I started absorbing my suroundings. I glanced behind me and my camel back scared the heebie jeebies out of me. I thought it was someone behind me. Then the perpetual paranoia set in - the "I'm all alone -no one knows where I am. If I get attacked by a wild animal or accosted by some crazy lunatic and scream no one will hear me....."
At about 5 miles in, I crossed a large stream and was quickly getting deeper and deeper into the deep dark forest. Even whistling didn't help - nor did my "Ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah" song that I sing when spooked. My heart still quickens thinking about it. Weren't there cougar attacks in this area? These bugs are huge! What if they bite? What if I get a flat and have to stop? What was that crash in the forest? Finally I trusted my instincts - and turned back. Luckily the return was downhill and I quickly reached my car. Where was my sidekick Princess Little Wheel when I needed her?
Last night after work my husband went on his biweekly adventure to Little Si - a climbing area in the North Cascades. Eager to try some new mountain biking territory - I came along and ventured to a ride called the CCC Road. Happy to be outside in the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest I quickly climbed 3 miles of steep logging grade to a double track.
I passed through several "Road Closed" gates - leaving any chance of human encounter behind me. The sun was shining - the weather pleasant - but as I started slowing due to the steepening of the grade - I started absorbing my suroundings. I glanced behind me and my camel back scared the heebie jeebies out of me. I thought it was someone behind me. Then the perpetual paranoia set in - the "I'm all alone -no one knows where I am. If I get attacked by a wild animal or accosted by some crazy lunatic and scream no one will hear me....."
At about 5 miles in, I crossed a large stream and was quickly getting deeper and deeper into the deep dark forest. Even whistling didn't help - nor did my "Ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah" song that I sing when spooked. My heart still quickens thinking about it. Weren't there cougar attacks in this area? These bugs are huge! What if they bite? What if I get a flat and have to stop? What was that crash in the forest? Finally I trusted my instincts - and turned back. Luckily the return was downhill and I quickly reached my car. Where was my sidekick Princess Little Wheel when I needed her?