#valleyofthefivelakes

Many thanks to my friend Catherine for this incredible weekend (and some of the pictures).

Because it’s Thursday and I haven’t posted in a while here’s a #throwback from our motorcycle trip in the Rockies. Also those reflections 🤤 #hiking #ValleyOfTheFiveLakes #CanadianRockies #mountains #GetOutThere #OutsideProject #BeautyOfCreation #OutdoorPhotography #landscape #MyCanada #NatGeoCanada (at Valley of Five Lakes) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2VmTpulGF5/?igshid=o4i45up4slxm

More akin to valley of the five puddles this year 😜 #wheredawaterat #valleyofthefivelakes #jasper #myjasper (at Valley of Five Lakes)

Hi hello, my name's Abe #valleyofthefivelakes #myjasper #gsd #gsdlove #thesilliestboy

The Valley of the Five Lakes shouldn't be hiked alone. My hunk-of-spunk husband Johnny and our daughter Luci are up ahead. Stopping can have consequences. Luci's got bear spray. Many trails are closed due to sightings. Recently, a bear charged a man at Harold Creek. He survived. In Alaska, a fortnight ago, two people weren't so lucky. A week later two Alaskan cyclists, armed with tinkling bear bells and spray, stopped when bushes rustled. A bear charged and mauled one of the cyclists. Alaskan authorities say it's unprecedented; six attacks in two weeks. Bear attacks have spiked. Oprah, sorry to 'bearer' of bad news; one attack happened in Juneau. That's our port! Gravel crunches under my boots. Breath labors. Gotta catch up. Sometimes there's a funny side. Locals call cyclists "Meals on Wheels." Bear Bells, "Dinner Bells." What if they are right? Cheers, Juliette #faithhaswings #JuliettesWorld #JohnnyandJuliette #OprahInspiredYearOfAdventure #oprahwinfrey #oprah #omagonhal @oprah @oprahmagazine #omagadventure #cruise #grizzlybear #Juneau #ValleyOfTheFiveLakes #hiker #hiking #bear #alaska

Johnny and Luci venture further into the woods. The Valley of the Five Lakes. Bear territory. Bear spray in hand. No bear bells. Or "dinner bells," as locals call them. Talk as you walk. Noise scares bears away. Hopefully. "If you see bushes with red berries, move." Luci jaw tightens. "Bear food." Johnny appears unperturbed. I glance around. We keep walking. Luci continues her Canadian wilderness WH&S talk. "This spray reaches there," her hand clutching bear spray rises, indicating a near by tree. "If I need to spray, pray the winds not blowing the wrong way. It's toxic. Blinds the bear so we can escape." My heart spikes. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does. A recent hiker conversation clouds my mind. A massive Grizzly ripped her friends arms off. Luci stops, reaches for a waterbottle in my pack. "A Grizzly the size of a truck roams Banff. Locals call him "The Boss". Banff? Crap. We're going there next! Our daughter sums up her 'safety' talk, pushes the bottle back. A blue/green lake appears over a rise. "Basically, if your charged by a Grizzly, you're stuffed." Well, Luci didn't say "stuffed", but I get it. I do. How about you? Energy & Angels, Juliette #faithhaswings www.juliettepower.com #JuliettesWorld #JohnnyandJuliette #OprahInspiredYearOfAdventure #oprahwinfrey #oprah #omagonhal #omagadventure #grizzlybear #ValleyOfTheFiveLakes #hiker #Canada #Alaska #cruise #wilderness #wildlife #bears