The Weekly Smile for the 20th of September, 2021 #weeklysmile

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I think I have mentioned the route I take for my main run, haven’t I? It starts with a large uphill. It then continues with an uphill. And then there is some climbing. And that is followed by even more uphill…. Yes, my run tops off at the highest point in miles.

Wednesday I went for a run. It was warm and very humid, so I almost didn’t go, and my first thought was to do an easier run. But I did my mountain run. And I am glad I did…

After I hit the high point and started to go into a little dip, I saw movement in front of me. I recognized it almost immediately – a black bear was crossing the road at the bottom of the dip. I was still pretty far away, so not worried.

About a year ago I almost literally bumped into a huge bear on one of my runs. This bear didn’t look as big. Was it because i was farther away and seeing it in profile? Well… Anyway, the bear seemed to glance at me, but I said something, just to be sure it knew I was there. “Hi, bear,” I said in a calm tone. It looked at me and I waved, but without a sudden or jerky movement.

Even though the bear was almost all of the way across the road, it quickly turned and ran back into the woods. I was just beginning to wonder why it took the time to go all of the way back across the road (and to the side I was on!) instead of the shorter distance (and away from me) if it had continued, when I saw faces. At least two small, furry faces were watching me. I crossed the road to be safe (I was on their side!) and glanced over, but they were gone.

Or so I thought.

As I drew even, I noticed a cub still visible. It was watching me, but when I was at my closest, it scampered into the woods, looking just like a huge version of my little kitten as it bounced its way through the thickets.

I have only seen bears out in the wild a few times and this was the first time I have seen any cubs up close. Very cool!

So that is my smile for the day, seeing a momma bear and a couple of cubs while out running.

What made you smile?

****

Come on, I’m sure you smiled at least once last week.  Why don’t you share it?  I hope you can join in!

Here is list of “rules” and guiding ideas.  If you don’t have time to read it right now, just remember that this is an exercise to spread positivity.  Don’t smile about the misfortune of others.  Don’t smile in a way to excludes others.  Make sure a 12 year old can read it.

To join in, write a post to share your smile and then leave a comment on this post with a link to your smile.  Or, if you prefer, do a pingback to this post (pingback = have a link from your post to this one) (Note – pingbacks have been very inconsistent – please leave a comment :) ).   You can post any time until next Sunday evening (to be simple, I will say midnight GMT, which is 7 PM Sunday for me).   Next week I will compile all of the Smiles and do a separate post of them on Monday morning just before the smile.  (I will shoot for around 7 AM EST).

46 thoughts on “The Weekly Smile for the 20th of September, 2021 #weeklysmile”

  1. Pingback: The Weekly Smile Recap for 9/20 – 9/26/2021 #weeklysmile | Trent's World (the Blog)

    1. trentpmcd Post author

      We do have quite a few bear in my area, though there has been a lot of development in the last few years. It is very, very rare for a black bear to attack a human, but still, I am glad I wasn’t between Momma and the cubs ;)

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  4. Ju-Lyn

    First of all, that sounds like a seriously challenging run … start with an uphill, then more and more and more uphill!

    Secondly, what a wildlife sighting that is! Most of us get birds, squirrels, perhaps and occasional reptile. But bears … and cubs, too!

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It is a very challenging run – if people are out in their yards or driveway when I run past, they always make comments… But I love it.
      I have seen some great wildlife on these runs. In fact, as I said in another comment, I see more wildlife when I run on the road than when I hike in the woods. It is very cool – this is the second time I’ve seen a bear up close in the wild, and both were while running, but this is the first time I saw cubs!

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      1. Ju-Lyn

        I’ve never thought about it before, but I suppose if you are in the woods, they wildlife are camouflaged, whereas if they come out to the edge of the road, or are like the bears, crossing the road, they are easier to spot!

        Wow! you have your own cheering squad lined up as you run uphill!

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        1. trentpmcd Post author

          I think that when I am hiking in the woods the animals know I am coming when I am still a long way off and can blend in, but when I am running out on the road… As you say, it is open, so I can see them before hey can hear me.
          I don’t see my personal cheering squad all of the time, and just as often have someone look at me as if I am 100% out of my mind, which perhaps i am ;)

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  5. Resa

    Well, well That’s a hard smile to beat. However, as this is not a competition, let me add my smile.
    My niece is coming for a 1 day visit. She is driving 2,059 km. (1280 miles) to pick up her step mom, and take her back to Winnipeg. Haven’t seen her since over 1 year before Covid. She added a day to the trip for me. We will have 1 night, and 1 full day together. 😍

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  6. Wild Child47

    I live in the woods – cottage country – north of Montreal, Qc. – and we have all kinds of wildlife – deer, moose, wolves, coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and of course bear! I’ve only ever come across one while driving – had to do a double take I was so stunned. Apart from that, when I used to pound out walks/miles – I heard them “snuffling” – in warning. My skin prickled and goosefleshed and you can bet I made a move to just hurry on. Still, it’s really quite awesome to chance encounter – and thankfully, you were wise in your ways and just kept on being aware and moving along. I’m always in the mind frame of: remember this is their space/home, not yours – so be polite and grateful that they let you pass through. I’m sure you’re of the same thought. :)

    Glad you had such a wonderful outing and scenic viewing that day. Hope your week is filled with small slices of joy, wonder and pleasures.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I’m sometimes surprised when I read how much wildlife there is around her – hiking and walking you very rarely see any – but I know that the animals all know I’m around, even if I don’t see them! So it is funny that I see more animals running on the road than walking on trails. I think because it is open, and I come upon them a bit more rapidly, so they don’t know I’m there until I know they are there… I am sorry that I disturbed the bears, but am thankful that I was able to share their space with them for a brief moment.
      Thanks. i hope you had a good week and have a great weekend.

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  10. Lorraine

    That’s an incredible encounter! I’ve not seen or experienced a bear in the wild for many years. I always did try to be polite, just as you were. A hello, a smile and a wave goes a long way with people and with bears! You were so lucky to have seen the family! Wonder where Goldilocks was?

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It was very cool to see that bear family. It is always best to be polite and say “Hello” no matter who it is. Although she didn’t say “Hi” back, I’m sure the bear did appreciate that I warned her I was there instead of finding out as I barged between her and her cubs! I didn’t ask about Goldilocks, but then, Poppa Bear was also missing, so…

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I was so polite, saying “Hello” and waving and all. the least she could have done is wave back. lol. If she did, I think I would have stopped and tried to wake myself up, because I would have known that I was dreaming. Black bears very rarely bother people and try to avoid us as much as possible. That being said, if she was on one side of the road, the cubs on the other side, and I ran between them, I might have something to be worried about!

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Since the mother bear ran into the woods I assumed the cubs would have followed, so was a little surprised one stayed behind… but I did know more or less were Mom was, so… Black bear attacks are very rare compared to brown (Grizzly) bears.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I’m not 100% sure about bear etiquette either, but I assume introducing myself before I got too close was in order… It is always great to see them in the wild and I feel privileged to have encounters like this.

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