Journal | A genius, so to speak, for sauntering

Hanging out with Fred

Tuesday · September 12, 2006 | posted under: Lake Clark journal | 0 comments

Junketing with Fred Hirschman at the connecting stream today. He arrived yesterday at the upper lake and is planning to boat around the lower lake today in his motorized canoe. I arrived early, parked on the north shore and strolled through the trees along Emerson creek. The cottonwoods and birches are blazing yellow, returning to the sun a tithe of warmth and light in gratitude for a summer of providence. The creek is struggling to reach the lake; only a few ribbons of water are left on the surface. Fred and I chatted at the head of the lower lake for about an hour until a brown bear appeared on the south side of the connecting stream heading our way. As she started to cross toward us we decided we all might have a better experience if we relinquished the shore to her and watched from the comfort and relative safety of Fred’s canoe. Although we were quite close, she was unbothered by us. In fact, she was comfortable enough to prune a small spruce, trimming it into a better tool for a back scratch. She then indulged in with abandon. As she continued down lake we were relieved to watch her keep a respectable distance as she walked around the Zodiac parked on the shore.