Scat-tastic

SIGNS. I'll keep this post short and sweet - or rather, short and stinky. Team Leslie enjoyed a spectacular day in the mountains this weekend on a trail called "Hidden Creek." Apparently, we were not the first ones to meander that way... Not only did we see fairly fresh bear tracks (it had rained the night before, which we assumed would have obliterated older tracks, so these were likely from earlier in the morning), but we also stepped over tens of piles of fresh bear scat. Most of the piles were filled with barely digested cranberries - the usual fare seen in the poop of our large furry friends at this time of year - and I admit Indigo even reached down and touched some declaring, "Mama! You can't even tell that these passed through the bear's body!" This was followed by a "Yes, amazing," a deep breath and a scramble to find the wet wipes. Moving on, there was also one exceptional pile that had something besides berries! (Yes, I just referred to poop as exceptional. And I wonder why my kid isn't afraid to touch scat.)

Where Hidden Creek meets Skilak Lake.

Bear track #1 - in the mud

Bear track #2 - in the sand

I spy salmon vertebrae and ribs in the scat pile!

Upon re-reading this post, I realize that some of the more gruesome among you might have been secretly hoping for a piece of jewelry or a shriveled human finger... sorry folks. Just evidence of salmon consumption, which for us was a first! Although this does give me some great ideas for Halloween tricks up here...

Mix one cup of raw cranberries and a half a hotdog fitted with a plastic costume jewelry ring.  Pour mixture in a heap in the yard of your neighbor...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!