Off the Beaten Path - part 2

OK, so we came to a fork in the trail and I wasn't sure which way to go. Mama said "let's explore"!

And look where we ended up?? It looks like a desert with a bunch of broom bushes...

Ah, we are under power lines... well, that's OK because powerline right-of-ways are a great place to find...

...pussywillows!! Is that a bush I see in the distance??

It is!!! Oh and it has nice big ones too.

But now it's time to turn back, now that we know where that one trail went. We are looking for a lake... is that water off in the distance?

Oh yay!!! We aren't lost after all!! (Mama just rolled her eyes).

And I got one pussy willow twig too...

But all that exploring made me question whether Mama really knows what she's doing. Does she have emergency honey supplies in her backpack in case we get lost???

Huh... a packet of kleenex, some gloves, clippers, a small flashlight and...

... a bottle opener. Really Mama?? You think you are going to find bottles in the woods that need to be opened??? Where's the honey??? Where's the compass???

Hmph... well, none of those things, although there is a first aid kit and a garden kneeling pad to sit on. I think I need to pack Mama's backpack with some essentials if we're going to do more of these "exploration" hikes!

But I have to say - this was a good one... nice and sunny.

With a great view of the water...

And comfy trees to sit in and think about life (and honey).

This is a little bear's life!

A Hike off the Beaten Path

Oh boy!!! It was nice and sunny and I got to go for a hike. 

But rather than going on the regular trail, Mama said we were going to try a different one. I wasn't too sure about this but she said she's done this trail before and it was interesting so... OK.

Cute mushroom thingies!

Eh... what does that sign on the tree say? I can't quite read it?? Mama says it's not important but I don't know...

Uhhhh... are we sure this is a good idea??? Turns out it is part of a new subdivision and they are trying to keep dirt-bikers out... but bears and people who tread softly are OK...

Oh boy - this looks like a beary muddy trail!!

It's a good thing I am such a trusting, adventurous little bear, otherwise I woulda turned back a while ago!

And a chain link fence... sigh... it's clear that people have made a hole through this fence before we came along. I wonder why??

Oh, there's an old road here! Maybe it's a logging road?? Nope... Mama says this used to be DND land... which is Department of National Defence... ummmm... this is turning into a beary interesting hike! Apparently they no longer use this land anymore... which is good for little bears!

Ah, back in the forest and away from DND and fences and into the moss.

Uh-oh... the trail is getting muckier!

Mama... why can't we be on the regular trail where there are bridge across the mucky bits!

Oh... never mind... somebody has carted a bunch of lumber in here...

And built a boardwalk over the muckier bits! Isn't that nice... I think it's for mountain bikers though...

But little bears could use it too... except if a biker came and met a little bear, I think it would be the little bear who would have to make way for the bike!

Oh great... a fork in the trail!! Which way???

To be Continued

Sewing 101

Hullo! Today I am going to demonstrate how to keep your feline roommates happy, deliriously happy, in fact... so happy that they won't even notice you!

Ah-hem... notice that cats are easy to seduce with something called cat-nip bags... just some flannel pouches with cat-nip sewed inside. For those who don't know... cat-nip is an... er... potent... ummm... herb!! Yes... an herb that cats love! Anyhow - my two feline roommates have some beary worn out catnip pouches that no longer pack any punch.

So, first you need to buy some catnip... the organic stuff is beary nice... you can buy this in any pet store (you don't need to do any dark and dirty deals in back alleys).

Then you need some fabric - luckily we had some cotton stuff that would serve.

Then you fold a piece in half and sew up the two sides....

Actually you get the human to sew... because bear paws do not need to get stitched to the fabric!

Voila, a pouch, of sorts....

Now you fill it with a good amount of catnip... I made some rather large pouches so there is quite a bit of catnip that fit into each one.

Then you bring it back to the sewing machine and sew up the final edge.

And you have a catnip pouch!!! I should mention that Gramma was supposed to do this when she comes next month but Auntie in Vancouver needed her sewing machine back (our house doesn't have one)... so Mama had to brush up on her Grade 8 sewing skills... I wonder if the cats notice?

Apparently not! This is Rascal, she is working the pouch with three legs and her tongue - apparently the goal is to lick the pouch until it is sopping wet.... ewwww....

When I asked Rascal if I could get my picture taken with her, she seemed to think I was after her pouch and got "that" look in her eye... heh-heh... I'll just go check on Spooky.

Ah yes... good licking action from Spooky, although she only uses two paws to hold the pouch.

But she gets full marks for letting me pose with her! Ta-dah!!!  I wonder if Hammie sews catnip pouches for Poess??

Harbingers of Spring

I saw an awesome sunrise this morning! Which I think boded well for the weather... And I was right, because I got to go for a hike today!

Hmmm... little bear vs. big kitty... hmmm... Oh well, as long as I don't stray too far from the humans I should be OK...

There were some big trees that came down after those 18" of snow. Guess they weren't used to all that weight.

And look!!! Green leaves - real ones (not those evergreen things like arbutus and holly).

And some Canadians are back home from over-wintering down south. I bet they are looking for a nesting spot.

Ooohhhh... letters painted on rocks underwater... I wonder what it was supposed to say...

I also found as skunk cabbage! They don't smell beary nice but they are the first indicators that spring is really here.

I have to say, they do look pretty...

But then it started to rain and so I got tucked into Mama's jacket... I hope we keep going on our hike...

Oh my goodness... can it be???? I think it is!!! Pussy willows!!!

Under the big power-lines (always a good place for pussy willows). These are in the shadow of the mountain so spring must be a bit tardy here. I got a bunch of little scraggly ones.

And then found another bush with long, straight branches.

Finally... pussy willows!!