Hiking Through Bear Country and Discovering the Twin Green Ponds!

When you head out for a peaceful hike in California, the last thing you want is to end up on somebody’s lunch menu! So when Breezie and I started spotting warning signs about black bears, we had a feeling this was going to be a little more adventurous than our usual afternoon stroll. We were exploring the gorgeous countryside near Sequoia National Park and decided to take on the Skyline Loop Trail. Mountains stood tall in the distance, beautiful trees lined the path, and the sun was shining overhead. It was the perfect place to soak up a little of God’s creation. Of course, nature has a few residents of its own, and some of them have much bigger teeth than we do! Welcome to Bear Country We hadn’t gone far before we noticed several signs warning hikers about black bears. Then we got to talking with a local woman who filled us in on the bears and mountain lions that call this area home. Nothing like a little friendly conversation to put a spring in your step! Now, Breezie and I love wildlife, and we’ve met plenty of it on our travels. But there’s a big difference between admiring a bear from a safe distance and accidentally surprising one around a bend in the trail. Here’s something you might not know. California’s black bears aren’t always black! Their coats can be brown, cinnamon, or even blonde. They’re excellent climbers, too, and for all their size, they can run a whole lot faster than you or me. So outrunning one is not a plan I’d recommend. Thankfully, we didn’t have any close encounters with bears or mountain lions that day, and we were perfectly happy to keep it that way! The Mystery of the Twin Green Ponds As we kept walking, we came upon something that stopped us in our tracks. Two ponds, side by side, with water so green that parts of the surface looked like a freshly mowed lawn! Tucked among rolling hills, shady trees, and golden California grasses, these strange little ponds were too interesting to pass by without a closer look. So what turns pond water that bright shade of green? In many ponds, the answer is algae or tiny floating plants like duckweed. With the right mix of sunshine, nutrients, and water conditions, they can spread right across the surface and create a carpet of green. We can’t say for sure what was growing on these particular ponds without testing the water, but it sure was something to see. And here’s a word to the wise. Just because the surface of a pond looks like solid green ground doesn’t mean it is! That pretty green blanket is floating on top of the water, and anyone who tries to walk across it is in for a soggy surprise. It’s amazing how something so simple can turn into one of the most memorable sights of the whole day. The Best Things in Life Really Are Free As Breezie and I walked through all that beauty, I couldn’t help thinking about how blessed we are to experience places like this together. We spend so much of our lives rushing from one thing to the next that it’s easy to miss the beauty sitting right in front of us. The mountains don’t charge admission. The trees don’t ask for anything in return for their shade. And the fresh air is free for anyone willing to step outside and breathe it in. To me, these are some of the Creator’s greatest gifts. Breezie and I have traveled over 100's of thousands of miles together and seen places we never dreamed we’d see. And yet some of our happiest moments have come from simply walking a quiet trail, side by side, grateful for another beautiful day. You don’t have to be rich to live a beautiful life. Sometimes all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes, someone you love, and a little curiosity about what’s waiting around the next bend. Although in bear country, it never hurts to keep one eye on that next bend! Come Along on the Adventure! We filmed our whole Skyline Loop adventure so you can enjoy this beautiful California countryside right along with us. You’ll see the scenery, hear about the wildlife that lives here, and get an up-close look at those fascinating twin green ponds. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and scroll on down to come along with Breezie and me on another adventure! Help Us Keep the Adventures Going! If you love exploring beautiful places, discovering a little history, learning about nature, and sharing a few laughs along the way, we’d love to have you along for the ride. Please give our video a thumbs-up, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @DigginLifeTogether, and share this adventure with your friends and family. Every like, comment, and share helps us reach more folks who enjoy the simple pleasures of life. And be sure to follow our Facebook page, The Adventures of Finius the Skinniest, where we share our travels, our everyday adventures, and a little encouragement along the way. Before you go, we’d love to hear from you! Have you ever run into a bear on a hike, or stumbled across something in nature that made you stop and take a second look? Tell us all about it in the comments! Until our next adventure, keep smiling, keep exploring, and never forget to appreciate the beautiful life we’ve been given. Much love and happiness to you all, Finius and Breezie WATCH OUR VIDEO BELOW!