HIBERNATION TO HUCKLEBERRIES by Chris Anderson
Someday in the future, when anthropologists study today’s humans they will likely comment on our fascinating life cycles. For many families across the United States, Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of summer.
C
ome Memorial Day weekend tents and sleeping bags are dusted off from the long winter storage. Camp stoves are spruced up and ice chests are refreshed with warm sudsy water to prepare for a long three-day drive or trek into wild places, oftentimes places where we intersect with varying examples of wildlife. It’s our predictable tradition and, in many ways, it’s inspiring to see how many of us prepare for settling into campsites and outdoor experiences. Similarly, bears in the lower 48 states have predictable patterns. Right now is an exciting time of year to watch bears—from a distance and ideally through binoculars. Because of the massive migration of humans into their territory, it’s a good idea to
16
SL - SPRING/SUMMER 2016