Art of Preparedness

The evening of October 9th, 2009, a report of a bear walking through Ojai resident’s yards was called into local authorities. According to local residents, police dispatched to the scene initially tried to scare the bear away, utilizing empty swimming pools, rocks, sticks and shouting to route the bear Northward towards the Sespe wilderness.

According to Alliso St resident Chris Nottoli the bear, well lit by police spotlights, climbed a pine tree in an attempt to hide at approximately 1 a.m. Local authorities proceeded to close off the street in hopes the bear would eventually climb down and make his way back to safety.

“Mr. Bear 2009″

The following evening the bear had not moved from his post. Ojai resident Brent Florence, having spent over 8 hours observing the scene, claimed there were idling police cruises and a nearby party that kept the bear firmly planted in his tree. Local bear hunter Tom Farmer spoke with the police at one point, trying to come up with ideas on how to coerse the bear down.

Eventually California Fish and Wildlife was called in. “We knew the bears fate was sealed at that point,” states Nottoli. A tranquilizer dart was fired at the bear who, when hit, proceeded to climb higher into the tree. In an attempt to keep the bear from climbing higher, another dart was fired, which in turn caused the bear to climb even higher. Eventually the tranquilizer took its effect and the bear toppled from its post, crashing into branches on the way down and landing in a cactus bush. According to authorities, the bear would have been euthanised after tranquilization regardless of its landing.

An impromptu memorial arouse the morning of October 11, 2009 in the cactus bush the animal landed in.

La Joie

Life is a river. A never ending flow of surprise and reflection. Some surprises come wrapped in challenge and static. When an old and dear friend-the kind in which months and even years can pass with no contact for when at last you reunite it is as if no time has passed-drops in for a surprise visit, it is only pure simple joy that can follow.

A very dear friend, Brandon Hill, made his visit recently. Bringing with him the lovely mountain girl named Ty, we took our short time to the park at Kiya’s request. For it was Kiya’s introduction to the charm of “Brando,” and the two together quickly combined their powers. The day was hot, almost unbearably so. However it was of little concern as memories of yesterday and plans of tomorrow blossomed in the heat, beads of gratitude dripping from our chins.

A recent camping expedition challenged us with an interesting dilemma, “what do we do with a 2-year-old that wants to hike long and hard?” The answer of course is let her hike. Kiya was not to be stopped, not until roughly 13,000 ft. stood beneath her little feet. There were no waterfalls on this hike, but a dip in a cold stream sufficed.

Most impressive was her tenacity in the venture. Her enthusiasm only waned as hunger took over. Were it not for her tummy, she may have struck summit. Of special note is the fact that small erosion barriers, only a step for adults, were nearly full body climbs for her. And still she would not stop. Simply amazing.

Kiya, after battling her 1st 14′er, warily surveys the mountain she conquered at 2 years old.
Firmly held in hand, nature’s own power plant, Peanut Butter.