A Bear Abroad, Again

And so, I left.  With debt over my head and the road calling my name, but, it wasn't until too late that I discovered the two types of traveling.  This time I left for the money and the opportunity for freedom and adventures farther away than before, someday.  The real trouble was though, I left my heart behind.  When they say, home is where your heart is, it's true.  When I traveled with my heart beside me I was never homesick, rarely sad, and always comfortable.  When I left my heart behind I became instantly homesick, lost, and lonely.  I was discussing this dilemma with my once removed younger brother-bear, Bearalex, when he says,

"your a writer, you can write stories to express yourself"  -wisdom of a youth

Now, I don't consider myself a writer, but when I returned to my fading blog and jotted down a few lines I did start feeling better about where I was, and thus I was able to embrace the why and ignore the what.  A bit anyway.  Another thing which helps is returning to one of the passions which influenced this blog and aided in reconciling me and my heart, beer.  So, here's a go, far from my home, relaying beer.

I forgot my computer attachment cord in the glove-box of my car, so the photo's are not available, but I was invited to a restaurant called Bonefish.  It was a very busy place with some lovely wall art and high (by my standards) prices.  The fish and chips were outstanding though.  While I was looking at their limited draft list, I was recommended the Olde Mecklenburg Seasonal.  It is apparently quite popular, however the beer I tasted was yeasty and bland.  It also never improved no matter how much I drank.  Sometimes beer does that.  Either the first sip isn't so good but it improves over drinking, or the first sip might be great, but the further into the beer you get, the worse it becomes.  This one was not very good, from beginning to end.  Or so I thought.  It was their Oktoberfest submission too...

Anyway, that was the local seasonal I gave a shot and was disappointed.  Theoretically though, none of the people who might stumble upon this post will ever come across this disappointing drink.  I wish I had better news, but next time I'll be going back in time and share a mountain climbing adventure that climaxed with some Shock Top ^_^

Cougar and Bear

Like a more amiable version of Fox and Hound or a less innocent tale than those of Frog and Toad, the bear duo of Ambear and Bipolar Bear went to the Cougar Hot springs for one last evening together (or so we thought).  The truth that neither of us had realized was that my flight had been pushed back several weeks.  Nevertheless, the night was as lovely as it was brimming with honesty, adventure, and indulgence.  The evening started with A Bridgeport Summer Squeeze and Hop Czar, as we sat on the cliff side facing one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and the sun warming our backs.  It was a perfect moment, and it was complimented by the most perfect beer.

Again, failing to know at the time, I had been lucky enough to catch Bridgeport's seasonal summer ale the week before it left the shelves.  It was amazing and easily was set among my top three choices of fantasic beers.  Super clean, refreshing, citrusy but not sour or moldy feeling, with bold notes leaving it distinct and memorable in the best way possible.  I searched high and low for that sweet nectar again, but, it had been displaced by the changing season(al)s.  However, Witch Hunt spiced ale is a post for another day.  In the meantime, the Hop Czar is an excellent excellent IPA.  It's clean, super hoppy, but possessing just the perfect level of bitterness which allows for a cold refreshing wave of satisfaction to settle on your heart as you sip this beer.

After sipping beer on the hill side, we started are real adventure into the wood towards and magic spring which flows hot from the mountain side and brings peace to the souls of all bears who revel in its waters.  During his enjoyment of the hot springs, Bipolar Bear began chatting with some of the other character's in the pool.  On of them, a very interesting entrepreneur who lived up the road and visited the hot springs at least 3 times a week, told us of a hidden trail just past the springs which would take us to the most amazing, beautiful, and romantic place ever!  We were intrigued.  Thus, we followed the jolly witch doctor's instructions and eventually came upon a green moss dragon!!  Surrounded by broken logs created by the troll limbs she had dismantled during their attacks, this overwhelming deity had long ago rested her fangs in a call of peace and current spouts the freshest water in the world from her lips as a peace offering to God for all the havoc she foolish released.  When we arrived we felt her calming spirit and followed the path laid to her underbelly which was covered in the softest layer of moss, and there, in her cleansing flow and lovesong, we kissed for the last time.

The End.

*****



Good Bye to Bipolar Bears.  Perhaps ^_^