My Colorado

Living the Wild Life on Bellyache Ridge

Life on Bellyache Ridge was a new experience for us city dwellers. Stories of black bears and mountains lions made me think of subway fires with fond nostalgia as I rode in the back seat of the realtor's car. We climbed four miles to an elevation of 8,500 feet, past sagebrush, pinon pine and juniper, to shimmering aspen groves and then into crowds of towering lodgepole pine. I kept saying, "This is far. This is really far." We stopped in front of a charming house while I continued to mutter, "This is far." The moment we walked in, "This is far" changed to "This could work."

We moved in near the start of hunting season. I feared armed men in camouflage clothes would be leaping out at me from behind every bush. Our four-legged neighbors were concerned as well. The day hunting season began, an elk, a fox and a cat sought shelter in our driveway. The cat watched from a safe perch on top of a stone wall as the fox darted closer and closer to the elk. Finally, the elk rose on her rear legs and kicked wildly, convincing the fox to retreat.

We had never seen a bear outside the confines of a city zoo. My husband raised the blinds one chilly morning and said matter-of-factly, "There's a bear in our backyard." Resting in the mist, a large black bear sat and contemplated us contemplating him. He was not the ferocious, frightening beast I had expected. If anything, he was the epitome of forbearance, as he allowed the newcomers in the neighborhood to marvel at him. Then he rose and trotted off with unexpected grace, his black fur streaked with silver by the sun.

These were moments of magic that convinced us we'd found a home in Colorado.

Jane Imber is a writer and marketing consultant who moved from New York City to Colorado about 20 years ago.

Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? The Motorist is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed, double spaced and 200-300 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned.

Mail to: The Motorist, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver CO 80222, or e-mail: keastlund@colorado.aaa.com

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