I have exercised my entire life and can’t imagine not. My choice has always been something outside-never been much of a gym-gal. I run and walk and hike.

I am currently in the gorgeous Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon writing the health programs for Shine The Light On Kids and hiking trails are everywhere. My sweet doggie pal, Wilma, and I have our favorite trail, The Enchanted Forest trail. On our hike today, we were part way up the mountain when I saw four very big and very deep fresh bear tracks. My heart started pumping that’s for sure. I knew from folks here that there were black bears and one big guy in particular.

I am always in the woods alone, which is fine by me, but today I knew I had another four-legged friend, besides Wilma, so out of respect for his or her privacy (and my well-being) I decided to head back down the mountain (the bears tracks were heading up) and take a different trail. It was so great. I get to live in a place where I see fresh mountain lion scat and bear tracks. How many people get to do that?

Here are some photos for you. Enjoy!

Obviously this rock used to be together. I wonder how it separated.

Wilma is my dog alright. She loves running free in the country!

Wilma much prefers to drink out of creeks. It’s a bowl only as a last resort.

I’ve never seen one of these before.

A little higher up…

Spanish Moss is so elegant.

A shade of green that you can’t describe.

This says Timber Reserve. I wish it said Tree Preserve.

She’s fun to watch run. Such joy.

I took these photos from my hike two days ago. I wish I had the camera today to take a photo of the bear tracks and this huge woodpecker I saw. I have mental snapshots!