LOVED the prompt for this week from Carrot Ranch as this very real incident could have cost my husband his life, if not for the quick thinking of our tour guides, Mike & Libby Roland. If you want to visit the Keweenaw in Michigan, keep in mind that it IS the bear’s country first and you are merely a guest. (it’s better that way)
Michigan Bicycle Touring was escorting us through the Keweenaw Peninsula that year. Filled with breathtaking scenery and the peace one longs for.
Oh, and bears!
I was in the “sag wagon” being hauled to the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in style, my husband was on his bike climbing Brockway Mountain.
That’s when we saw the cubs.
Cubs to the right of us, mamma to the left, and Danny behind, unknowingly heading for disaster.
Quickly, we placed ourselves between the bears, opened the sliding door of the van, slowed down, and pulled Dan in, bike and all. Bearly averting a crisis.
©2019 Annette Rochelle Aben
Annette Rochelle Aben 
Wow! What a story!And such great imagery!
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Thank you, Margot. If it weren’t for a Woody Herman concert going on that evening, I am certain we’d have spent it drunk as skunks. We actually started drinking, then heard about the concert from a waiter and talked several of the other bikers into going. We will never be sure if they felt sorry for us or really wanted to hear some great jazz!
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Oh, my! Nothing worse than coming between a momma and her cubs. Good thing you were nearby to save hubby!
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They taught what to do about dogs and vehicles but nothing prepared us for the bears. Dan like to lolly gag, so he was the last rider. Thank goodness the van stated out late, or we might have not been there.
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DH once saved me from a bear encounter. Scary!
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Well done, Annette. This is very entertaining.
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Thank you, Robbie. Dan and I have been divorced 30 years, but that moment still stands out.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
A breath taking and dare devil response to this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction challenge….there be bears on Brockway Mountain…head over to Annette Rochelle Aben to check it out.
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Thank you for sharing, Sally! ❤
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Pleasure my friend..hugs ♥
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So, that is a very good take to that prompt!!
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Thanks, Sis! ❤
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You are welcome 💖
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That’s one bear of a story!!
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I am really glad that I was IN the wagon… and not out on the mountain. We might not have had time enough to get both of us to safety!
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I’m glad too, I can only imagine the heart pounding going on!!
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Yikes!
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You got that right
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😀
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Great story! Brockway Mountain…the lookout spot over Copper Harbor or the very top… two of the prettiest places on earth! I lived in Laurium for many years and often visited that area. Although I did see bears, they weren’t on the mountain, itself. There was an adorable fox family at the lookout area. one year, that I’ll never forget!
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Laurium! Home of Tony’s, right? Some of the best pasties I have ever had. Gotta love me some Michigan! 🙂
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Yes!
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A great story Annette! Thank you for telling. More than one bear could be difficult, but some years ago here in Bavaria we only got one emigrant from Austria – only one – and most of our politicans got a crisis, and let shot him dead. ;-( Michael
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My word! I know that in extreme cases of protecting life, animals need to be taken down but it still hurts. I am grateful that we had to make no such choice. 🙂
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Wow! Scary! I loved this story. I’m so happy it has a happy ending. Phew!
❤ xo
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Funny, I can still remember my husband not being able to speak for several minutes. So NOT like him. (lol) He is still a chatter box, albeit, no longer my husband
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Ha, ha. I can see how a situation like that can shut someone up.
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Loved this one, Annette. And it’s a BOTS? Scary!
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It was quite the experience, that is for sure. Glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for letting me know
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