.jpg)
This is a terrible picture of the mountains, but I'm not trying to convince you of their beauty and majesty. For purposes of this post, you just need to know (1) that I took this photo just a few blocks from my house and (2) I live really, really, really close to the San Gabriel Mountains.
Earlier this month, I saw several helicopters hovering near the base of the mountains. I assumed there was either a wildfire or a stranded hiker and went online to see what the fuss was about.
Bears. A mama bear and her two cubs has wandered out of the mountains and were napping in a tree in Altadena.
My first thought was: "Oh! So cute! I hope they are safe!" (See an article/photo here).
My second thought was: "Hang on! That's like two miles from my house! Holy crap! There are black bears in the mountains? Son of a #&(@ what the &@(*&)*@ you have got to be @)(**@)#@@#!!!!!"
An Altadena resident saw the bears when he went outside for his morning paper. I would have crapped my pants. Not just figuratively, but literally. Then I would have fainted and the bear would have had its way with me.
I have looked at the San Gabriel Mountains a thousand times, and it never occurred to me that BEARS live there. Rabbits, yes; lizards, of course; maybe even some snakes; but bears? I know bears live in California, but surely they live in other mountains. As in, mountains that I cannot see from my front lawn.
Nathan, of course, thinks it would be cool if a bear strolled up our driveway. I pray that day never comes. But if it does, it will at least be fodder for a good blog post.
And then I will immediately call the realtor and start looking for a new house that is out of black bear range. (Or any bears for that matter, excluding pandas, of course).
