Moss-covered rocks comprised most of the landscape with a healthy number of large evergreens reaching out to the sky. A mix of smaller brush filled in where the larger tree’s branches did not start for dozens of feet up their trunks. The rain had stopped for the time being. John followed the river on its north-north-west direction. It cut an ever-increasing S-shaped path through the forest, undercutting the banks on the outer curve and creating sandbanks on the inner. The sound of jays and robins were occasionally interrupted by the distinct call of a cardinal.
John began looking for a place to stay for the night. A fire would be essential, mainly for warmth and to ward off any curious or hungry animals. Dead wood was scattered throughout the forest so it would be easy to gather fuel. Branches from the smaller evergreens would make an adequate mattress.
The river arced around to the left, leaving a large sand spit on his side of the river. John heard the splashing before he saw the large black animal clawing for fish in the water.
A black bear.
John crouched down behind a shrub and checked his perimeter looking for any cubs or a mate. The air was still, and he doubted the bear could catch any scent. There were no trees around for him to climb, not that that would help anyway. John was deciding what to do…
Sneak around Head back