New Glenwood Blues
In the heart of Glenwood Springs, Colorado lies a slice of untamed wilderness, where nature reigns supreme. Near the train tracks, surrounded by dense foliage and the beauty of the starlit sky, created the perfect stage for an extraordinary encounter that occurred in June 2020.
After a long day of traveling, I found myself laid out under the celestial canopy with my trusted companion, Xena Bugz, curled up by my side. I was lost in contemplation as I smoked a bowl and listened to the symphony of nature, as it played its melodious tunes all around us. The rhythmic hum of crickets, the distant rustling of leaves, and the occasional hoot of an owl created a harmonious backdrop. In the midst of this tranquil serenade and off in the distance, the sound of footsteps walking along the train tracks caught my attention, and stirred curiosity.
With a keen ear and a heart filled with anticipation, I listened intently, attempting to discern what or who exactly was approaching. My mind was racing with endless possibilities. Could it be a fellow traveler, a wanderer exploring the train tracks under the moonlight? Could it be a cop searching for someone, or perhaps it was something enchanting, waiting to be discovered. Whatever it was, it was unknown to me.
As the moon emerged from behind the clouds, casting its glow upon the clearing, the truth was finally revealed. To my surprise, what appeared from the shadows, with its fur glistening in the moonlight and strolling along the train tracks with an air of tranquility, was the biggest bear I had ever seen. At that moment, I instantly could feel my heart beating and was completely captivated by the sheer magnificence of this wild creature.
The bear continued meandering along its journey, oblivious to our presence. It was a harmonious coexistence, a glimpse into the delicate balance of nature. I looked down at Xena, who was sound asleep and remained blissfully unaware of the extraordinary spectacle unfolding before us, roughly 20 yards away.
As fate would have it, the scent from the food I had left out was lingering in the air and proved to be too enticing for this bear to resist. With a sudden change of direction, the bear was now walking directly at us. As the panic set in and the time to think quickly vanishing, my first thought was how to protect Xena, because if she were to awaken, she would immediately charge after it and that was a chance I couldn't take.
As i sat there quietly, I slowly armed myself with the only weapons I had. A knife in each hand. I got into a position where I spring into action, while intentionally not waking Xena. At this point, the adrenaline was coursing through my veins, as the distance between the bear and I diminished. The moment was now, and the time to think was over; all that was left to do was to react. As the bear got within a few feet of us, I sprung to my feet, with both hands in the air, and unleashed a roar that shattered the silence of the night.
In that moment, the bear, startled by my sudden burst of energy, it thankfully made a swift retreat back towards the tracks. Within seconds, its powerful frame disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind a profound sense of awe and gratitude. My heart, pounding in my chest, served as a reminder of the fragility and resilience of life in the wild. I stood there for a few, and couldn't believe what just happened and how intense that experience was.
Xena, on the other hand, had a completely different experience. She was sniffing around for a few but ultimately wanted to get right back to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't get much rest that night.
