There are two kinds of camping people in this world. The “throw the bikes in the truck, head to the lake, eat hot dogs, and let the kids run wild until dark” kind… and apparently the “luxury cabin in the mountains while carrying bear spray at all times” kind.
My family? We are absolutely the first kind.
So when I say we went “camping” in the mountains, I need you to understand this was not camping. This was glamping. Big time.
We pulled up to this gorgeous cabin tucked right into the mountains and I swear my jaw hit the floor. It looked like something out of a movie. Massive trees, mountain views in every direction, fresh air that almost didn’t feel real — it was stunning. Like painfully stunning. Every five seconds someone was saying, “LOOK AT THAT.”
And honestly, how could it not be beautiful? You’re smack dab in the middle of the mountains. Everywhere you turn looks like a postcard.
But here’s the thing nobody tells you when you’re staring at all those dreamy mountain photos online… you are also smack dab in the middle of bear country.
Now my sister warned me. Repeatedly before the trip.
“Keep the kids close.”
“Don’t leave food out.”
“You need bear spray.”
And I heard her, but I don’t think my brain actually processed it. Probably because I was too busy being shocked we were even going on vacation in the first place. It feels like every time my family plans something lately, somebody gets sick or something falls apart and the trip gets cancelled. So until we were actually there, I don’t think it felt real.
Which meant I was wildly unprepared for the moment we were sitting around the campfire and a park ranger casually walked over and said:
“So, we’ve had a bear sighting by the railway tracks… just right behind you guys. Keep your bear spray ready and keep the kids close.”
EXCUSE ME?
You know when someone says something and suddenly every little sound becomes suspicious? A twig snaps? Bear. Wind in the trees? Definitely bear. Someone zips up a backpack too aggressively? Somehow still bear.
Meanwhile, the railway tracks she was talking about were RIGHT THERE. Like visible-from-the-firepit right there.
And listen, I know logically the ranger was just doing her job and keeping everyone informed. But it’s hard to fully relax and enjoy your s’more when there’s a non-zero chance a bear could wander through your campsite at any moment.
Beautiful? Absolutely.
Relaxing? Not one bit.
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