Going Solo in the Cabin

Hello my friends!
I've been wanting to stay overnight in our mountain cabin by myself. 

Although I'd stayed overnight with Ron and another time with my sister and nephew, 

I've yet to do it solo.

I had visions of enjoying the vast quiet with only the murmur of the rushing creek 

accompanied by the whir of hummingbirds peeking through the window.

Of doing some writing. Listening to music. Taking walks.

 Reading a book.

Sipping a cup of hot coffee in the morning, a glass of wine in the evening.

(make that a small glass of wine; learned my lesson about altitude sickness and alcohol).

Watching the Milky Way sparkling in the rare mountain air. 

Sleeping soundly cocooned in thick warm blankets.

Learning to identify local wildflowers.

But was I afraid to stay alone?

Nah.

Okay, well maybe a little. 

Mostly I was worried about my car breaking down or having a flat tire 

on the rocky road into the cabin.
Honestly, driving over this road is like sitting on a jackhammer. 

Last week, my guardian angel stepped in to address this fear.
I awoke to a flat tire in front of my house.

When we took the car to the tire store to get the flat fixed, the technician said all four tires 

were in very bad shape and actually had blisters ready to burst which could shred the tire. 

So, now I own four spanking new tires and shouldn't have to worry about flats.

Any other fears?

Well, maybe a tiny bit about marauding bears.
If all bears looked like this, I wouldn't be afraid of them.

We'd already seen quite a few wild animals including pronghorn antelope, deer, moose
and some pretty persistent ground squirrels.
(Did you know a group of squirrels is called a scurry? Me neither.)

Neighbors had told us they'd seen bears near their cabins. 

But no cabins had ever been entered, no one confronted.
Here I am carrying a big stick and my bear spray just in case.

What about food coolers?
I contacted the local forest service and asked them:

"Should we leave our coolers filled with food outside the cabin or bring them in at night?"

Their advice was to bring them inside when we're staying at the cabin. 

When we're not there, we shouldn't leave any food in the cabin as bears may break in to get it.

(I'm wondering why they wouldn't also break in while we're staying there??)

Also to keep the surrounding area clear of anything that might attract bears 

such as coolers, bird feeders and trash cans. 

Good advice. 

Oh great, I forgot about mountain lions.

I know they always say don't run but I'm sorry, get out of my way.

So, armed with advice, four new tires, a bottle of wine and a stack of books, 

I'm setting off for a solo adventure in Timberline Cabin.

Stay tuned to find out how it goes.
Hey Ron, do I have cell service up here?

(If you missed my last post about the cabin, you can read it Here)

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