Mar 2014 – Mar 2014

So we’re in Cabo and we decided to walk to the beach.

Upon arrival to said beach I decided that I  wouldn’t partake in sunbathing nor any ocean frolicking. As a spirit bear with already a very lovely golden fur, I didn’t need to get my tan on to look awesome. I also realized it was a devious ploy on Nicholas’ part to force me to take a shower later if I got even a speck of sand or a drop of sea water on myself.

So I tell Nicholas no thanks and I go back inside the backpack for a warm nap when suddenly Nicholas urges me to come out and check out the view – which I oblige – only to see a bird gunning at me full speed.

YOU try having that happen and not lose your footing.

So that jerk Nicholas “saves” me by grabbing me by the foot. Then proceeds to leave me hanging there. Literally. For many moments.

That was not cool Nicholas. There’s going to be payback.

YEAH YEAH!  PARTY!  BOOZE!!  I MEAN MOCKTAILS!  GIRLS IN BIKINIS!

Yep, we’re in Cabo during *that *time of the year.

Here I am on a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise and so far I’m liking the life of cruising.  I’m hanging out by the hot tubs, watching dolphins on the Lido deck while Nicholas works.

Then every night I get to find out what towel animal it is the attendant have decided to make to keep me company.  I’m cuter.

They even have hot cocoa on tap 24 / 7.  I’m seriously considering becoming a professional cruise mascot.

I’m going on a cruise.  To Mexico.  For a week. Because I can.  And because I had the foresight to pack my best bear bud’s passport before we left.   And because it only cost like $300 to go uber last minute.

I even got an upgraded oceanview cabin.

Hasta la vista, chicos!

Today we went hiking in rattlesnake country.  We went to mission trails to hike up some trail that Nicholas normally runs instead.  It was cool. I dug it.  Didn’t see any promised rattlesnakes. Except dead stuffed ones in the visitors center. Not as cool.

Yes we did.  My best bear bud and I spontaneously decided to pack our bags, get in the car, and drive the heck out of Eugene. South.

And now we are in San Diego.

Finally got my hot cocoa after this incident, and I even pulled up a chair and sat in front of the fireplace.

You bet I enjoyed it.

Today we went climbing at Smith Rock National Park.

Chris set up the top rope and did the belaying.

Julia cleaned.

I also got involved.  I climbed.

In fact I on-sight climbed my routes just like that.  Because I’m awesome.

Chalk it off as another bonding activity between my bear bud and I.

The whole reason we were up in Bend was to celebrate Julia’s birthday.

I decided as a gift that I’d give a little luck.  Even though I’m a lucky bear I wasn’t about to do all the hard work so I outsourced it.

I got her a fortune cat.  From Asia.

How can you not feel lucky with a gift like that?

All I expected of my day was a little hiking action with my best bear bud.  We were heading out to these lava tube caves near Bend Oregon to have a little look-see, and then we were supposed to head back to the hotel for some hot cocoa and relaxation.

First sign that things weren’t going down the way I envisioned might have been the sound of gunshots reverberating through the area as we stepped out of the car.

For normal sane beings, “sound of gunshots” might have precipitated action to evacuate said  area.

Instead we walked towards the sound of guns.

Let me say that again, we walked towards the sound of guns.

We eventually ended up in front of this spot.  And since the sound seemed to come from the other side of the big hole of course we went down to investigate.

On the far end of this giant pothole was a small hole.  Apparently it was the entrance to a large cave.  As we scrambled towards the hole we were hit in the face with a cloud of smoke.  And two kids popped out of that hole (left of the picture.)

It smelled a little funky.  I didn’t recognize the smell but I started feeling a little funny.  My bear bud explained it was 4-2-0.  Like I know what that is.  It sounds like a brand of cleaner.

Anyway, the kids assured us that guns weren’t being fired in our direction, and actually it was a bunch more kids shooting from the cave out into the other side.

Finding that response satisfactory, we decided to take their word for it and crawl through the hole.  Maybe it was all our commotion, or maybe it was this 4-2-0 stuff, but we got through the cave to find the gun-wielders packing up and leaving.

Next thing I know we’re driving to some new location with a waterfall and we’re hanging over the precipice.

And then I don’t remember what else.  Just that I didn’t get my hot cocoa.