The roads less travelled by people means more room for all the other creatures that roam the Northern expanse of our rural mission territories.
Some of God’s creatures on the roads less travelled: The fox, the eagle, and the moose.
One close encounter of the bear kind I experienced a couple of summers ago still has one big bear holding its head and me in amazement of God’s wonderful creation.
In August of 2010, I was heading South on the Alaska Highway, near the village of Teslin, Yukon. It was a sunny day, and I was looking forward to some fishing on Teslin Lake.
About a kilometre ahead, I saw a large black bear on the side of the road enjoying the fireweed flowers. I slowed slightly to get a better view of the magnificent creature. At the very last moment, the bear decided to try a dash across the highway! I hit the brakes and swerved, missing the bear, thank God! Then crunch, bang! I checked the mirror and there was the bear lying flat out on the road. I drove to place to turn around wanting to go back and check the bear’s vital signs, ax in hand.
The bear had run into the wheel and fender of the boat trailer I was towing. As I approached within 20 metres, I saw the bear now sitting up with one giant paw on its head. At 10 metres, the bear heard me driving slowly toward it. The bear turned to see what was happening, and when it saw my truck and me approaching, it leaped off the road like a shot!, and literally flew in one bound into the bush.
I thank God that I did not have to use the ax. I think a bloody nose and one whopping headache was plenty for that day’s bear antics. I was grateful the bear survived and I did not have to get out of the truck.
More of God’s creatures, no less magnificent.
