Icy Strait Point: III

The Bears have fully entertained us for nearly an hour and we head back to the bus.  Here the adventure begins.  We have 2 bear guides with us-- one is our bus driver and the other follows with his appropriate " bear arm".  As we prepare to board the bus, we are asaulted with a most horrific experience.  Our eyes are burning, we are choking and eventually, we can't even get our breath. Initially, we are thinking this is bus exhaust, so we quickly board the bus.  And if possible, it becomes worse.  I actually thought we were dying as we couldn't get our breath.  We quickly exit the bus only to learn that we have been assaulted with bear pepper spray.  The bus driver's canister had broken and we felt the result.  Fresh air helps, but not for some time do we feel " normal."  A second bus is called for and eventually brings us back to the ship.  This is a " bear experience" that most of will pass on the next time.

On our return to the ship, we see an active eagle nest with two youngsters sitting on a branch.