July 31: I Can't Convince Myself That Deer Aren't Bears

Monday, July 31, 2006

​I arrived in Jackson Hole around 11:30 and checked into The Bunkhouse. $25 a night. It’s my first time staying in a hostel. I’m not sure I feel safe sleeping open to strangers, but it’s what I can afford. Plus, isn’t staying in a hostel a sort of rite of passage for 20-something travelers?

Jackson and Jackson Hole look like one town to me. 

Last night, a mother and two fawns ran on the hill above my site. They came quite close, paying no attention to me.

I heard an animal walking in the night. I was so scared it might be a bear, even though I know what bear scat looks like (I think) and I didn’t see any. My brain told me I was hearing deer, but my other brain told me that it was a bear or that biker.

I wish I had a window in my tent. The only way to see outside with the rainfly on is to unzip the front door and go out.

This morning, I saw deer scat. I know it was only deer last night, but my brain still thinks it was a bear. I would never admit that out loud, though.

At The Bunkhouse, this guy who looks like he’s in his 30-40s keeps chatting to me. I probably wouldn’t have talked to him, except he started by helping me find a parking place because he works here. I don’t know how much I can talk to him without giving him the wrong idea. I don’t mind some friendly conversation, but that’s all I want, and men seem to think “hello” means “I want to flirt with you.” Being much older than me doesn’t seem to make a difference. Men are too stressful to chat with.