Unforgettable Moments

Labor Day is behind us and that means it is the end of summer. Kids are back in school and most folks are wrapping up their vacationing seasons. My sister and her husband just returned from a cruise to Alaska. She was disappointed that she did not see a bear. When she told me, I had a flash back about my bear encounter last summer.

We were in the mountains of Nevada near Carson valley staying at an Airbnb while visiting our kids. It was a gorgeous apartment attached to the owner’s home. The home was the highest home up the mountain in this development. There was a sidewalk the full length of the apartment on the back side facing the mountain. Walking trails were all over this mountain.

I had just painted my fingernails and went outside to stroll while they were drying. I walked down the sidewalk and casually looked up to scout out the wilderness. I kid you not, 40 feet from me was a bear! He was standing there minding his own business, just gazing over the valley. I freaked out because I didn’t have my phone.

We had driven hours on this trip, including to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and saw bison in the wild. We ate lunch in the north rim lodge only to watch it burn down on television one month later. But all along the way, I was quietly looking for a bear. I ran back to the apartment door and discovered that I had accidentally locked myself out.

I began banging on the door flat handed, still trying not to mess up my nails…once a Dallas girl always a Dallas girl. My husband opened the door and frantically, I said, “There’s a bear and I have go to get my phone!" He was stunned, and a little flustered

that I was going back outside! Being the protector and brave one that he was, he grabbed his phone and FOLLOWED me outside. 😊 As we are standing there taking pictures, he said, “You know, he could be over here before you turn around.” I said, ‘No. He is being nice.”

I love unforgettable travel adventures. What are some of your unforgettable moments on the road?