Black Bears in Shenandoah National Park

On Friday night, my husband, Sam and I decided to take the family camping and rock climbing the next morning. When we entered the campgrounds this was the sign that welcomed us...

The kids started to freak out and realized that we weren't kidding about entering black bear territory. Sam told them our dog, Boulder will protect us. My youngest, Tovi said," I'll hit it with a stick!" Sam and I started to unload the car and set up our tent. The kids went looking for sticks to defend us in case of a bear attack.

Within five minutes, two deer came by to our camp ground to see what was going on. I was very impressed that Boulder did not bark or try to chase after the deer. I was starting to wonder how soon it will be before we see a black bear.

Well, with my luck, that night, a black bear might have paid us a visit, because Boulder who normally doesn't bark, started barking and growling in the middle of the night. Boulder was in the family tent with us and Sam could hear a four legged creature walk by our camping area. He believes it was a bear and not a deer. We just kept quiet because frankly, the kids and I were fast asleep and my husband was the only one awake.

My alarm (aka kids) went off at 6:30am. There was no signs of bear damage and I was grateful for that. We ate our warm oatmeal breakfast, packed up and went to Mt. Marshall.

My goal was to climb three routes and I ended up climbing four because my husband saw an overhang climb that I couldn't resist. The view on top was beautiful.

Thirteen climbs accomplished and I'm almost half way to my goal!

Human Trafficking Fact:

The average entry age for prostitution is 12-14

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

Estes, Richard J. and Neil A. Weiner. The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work: 2001.

For the month of June RIJI Green is having a special fundraising for DC Stop Modern Slavery's walk. For every "Act Justly" messenger bag you buy we will donate $1 towards DCSMS' walk!

Shop & Give

1/3 of the Climb Accomplished!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to climb a different area in Carter Rock, MD. My first climb was successful and move on to a different climb and could not finish the last quarter of the climb no matter how many times I tried. My husband, Sam a much better climber than me attempted it a few times and was not able to climb it either. The way he described it was "The rock is smoother than a baby's skin."

The last quarter section of the climb was extremely slippery and the worst part was there were very few foot holds which required a lot of upper body muscles (I did not have). After this climb, I decided I need to work on my upper body muscles and suffer the consequences of having my abdomen muscles hurt every time I laugh :)

The happy ending to this is "I'M 1/3 DONE!" 9 climbs have been accomplish out of 27.

9 represents the 94 victims of bonded slave labors of men, women and children rescued on May 2010 by International Justice Mission (IJM) in Chennai, India. Now these survivors has freedom certificates and living free from violence and oppression!

RIJI Green is a proud supporter of IJM's work. Keep up the great work IJM!

I believe IJM will have a table at the DC Stop Modern Slavery walk. Join the walk on September 18, 2010 and educate yourself with the numerous anti-trafficking organizations at the event.