Adrienne Smith, the Constant Traveler: Bears, Bears Everywhere
"If you go down in the woods today,
You're sure of a big surprise."
Sep. 10, 2014: Here we were, my husband and I, at the entrance to Denali National Park in Alaska, about to go our separate ways in a search for the all-too-commonly found grizzly bear and other native fauna.
I put my husband on a thirteen-hour bus ride to the end of the park and back, both because automobile access ends only fifteen miles in and because when I took the same trip six years ago, a woman sitting in front of me vomited halfway in and none of us could open our windows or exit the bus.
Freed from uxorial restraint, I marched over to the visitor center to meet up with a hiking group led by an unusually earnest (and you can imagine how earnest that is) young female park ranger. Our first order of business--safety instructions. Ok, fine.
Our guide, I'll call her Darla, told us that if we encountered a grizzly, we were to wave our hands over our heads like madmen and shout anything from expletives to "nice bear" in a commanding voice. Then, and this is the part I love, if the bear happened to charge us, we needed to understand that it was a "bluff charge." Smaller creatures would tend to panic and start running away, activating the bear's predatory instincts. We, however, were to stand our ground, which would let bears in the know, know that we were not prey. Six hundred pounds of body and fangs charging? Standing your ground? If all else failed, we were to roll up in a ball on the ground covering the stupid head that had gotten us into this mess.
This was going to take superior positioning skills during the trek to ensure that someone else became a tasty morsel for Smokey.
We also learned that the real menace out there was moose, because when they charge, they mean it. The idea here was to run like crazy in a zigzag pattern because those adorable 1,000-pounders on those scrawny little legs can't shift direction easily.
Our guide failed to address what would happen if we encountered a bear and a moose simultaneously, and I didn't want to be a wise guy by asking.
I wonder how many of you have been told what to do in dangerous animal encounters. Spending a fair amount of time as I do in Arizona, I have been taught appropriate mountain lion aversion behavior, which is much like that with bears, i.e., standing tall and acting fierce. The one time I actually ran into one, at 6:30 am one morning, I was simply stunned into complete inaction, while the guy walked nonchalantly by me into the desert.
Where I find myself getting massively insecure is on the subject of coral snakes, which are hideously poisonous. Corals have red, yellow, and black bands, but certain nonpoisonous snakes have the same coloration but in a different order. To have the wits to remember which sequence is right takes a level of personal equanimity that I have not, to the present, attained. However, in my continuing attempts to educate, I refreshed my recollection and want you to commit the following jingle to memory: Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, venom lacks.
I can throw in the rules about alligators, again zigzagging and running full tilt, but it all gets pretty exhausting.
Needless to say, on our delightful but predator-free walk, I encountered exactly one red squirrel.
Feeling somewhat deprived by the lack of drama, I determined to drive as far as permitted on the park road, at the end of which an attractive trail ran alongside a mountain stream. The locale was loaded with signs saying that bears frequented the spot, so I got my adrenaline high worrying about a potential encounter. My fear was heightened because, so appalled by both the cost of ($50) and instructions for using bear spray (the gizmo had to be carefully and complicatedly armed before use), I passed on purchasing it. Since I am currently writing this article, you may gather that there was no exchange of glances between my hirsute Alaskan brothers and me.
You may wonder what I saw in total during my junket. I'll tell you. Not counting two gigantic stuffed grizzlies in our Anchorage hotel, the sum included the aforesaid red squirrel, an excitingly different ground squirrel, and two eagles. What did I do wrong?
Pictured here: A bear warning sign in Denali National Park, Alaska.
Photo by Adrienne Smith
Restaurant & Food Guide
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Irish Gastro Pub with wood-fired pizza. It also has a Cocktail Menu.
219 Main Street, Eastchester
914-752-7650
Article about summer dining that includes Jack's
One Pier Steakhouse
One Pier Steakhouse is located on the banks of the Hudson River in downtown Yonkers, N.Y. right in the middle of the Yonkers renaissance. The restaurant offers a beautifully designed dining room featuring private banquette seating; an upstairs private room for sit-down or cocktail events; an inviting large bar and outdoor seating.
The menu offers a mix of traditional cuts of steak: Porterhouse for two, Filet Mignon, NY Strip, Ribeye and Skirt. There is also a variety of fresh fish offerings: Whole Branzino, Colossal Shrimp Scampi, Lobster Tails, Chilean Sea Bass, Sushi Grade Tuna, Salmon and a Raw Bar. Also included are Soups & Salads, Appetizers and Signature Dishes of Coffee BBQ bone-in Short Ribs, Lamb Shank and a 1/2 Roasted Chicken, along with a Pasta Station.
The bar features craft cocktails and a wide ranging wine list. The vibe is a softly lite romantic setting with up-tempo jazz.
Drink* Eat* Gather
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Haiku
Pan Asian
56 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-5601
Chinese cuisine. Stylish setting with classic decor.
361 N Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY
Wild Ginger
Pan Asian
10 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
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Underhill’s Crossing
For over thirty years, Underhills Crossing Restaurant in Bronxville has had the privilege of offering guests a diverse menu of French-American cuisine. Whether for a light bite with a friend, a celebration of family, or a special occasion, join us in our elegant dining room or enjoy al fresco dining in our beautifully decorated outdoor dining area.
Underhills Crossing Restaurant brings the Manhattan dining experience to Bronxville. Enjoy our raw bar, full caviar service, extensive wine list, and by-the-glass Coravin program, along with seasonal specials, which complement the lunch, dinner, and brunch menus.
Please let us know your thoughts.
5 Pondfield Rd 74., Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 337-1200
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Lange's of Bronxville
Lange's of Bronxville is a homestyle delicatessen nestled in Bronxville. For over 3 decades, Lange's has proudly offered an authentic deli and catering experience, serving freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites that keep our customers coming back for more.
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Opa Opa Fresh Greek.
New casual and friendly Greek restaurant serving fresh homemade specialties in a light and airy setting. Order for Take-Out…call 914-600-8129 for delivery on Uber Eats or Door Dash.
116 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-600-8129
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Serves Noteworthy Italian food and Brick Oven Pizza with outdoor seating available.
914-779-7944
Ciao
5-7 Albanese Place
Eastchester, NY
914-779-4646
An Italian Bistro in the heart of Scarsdale.
808 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale
914-722-0808
Instagram: 808bistrony
Delicious Italian food prepared with great care and served in a vibrant, modern Italian setting. Do private events. Best of Westchester “Best New Restaurant” in 2019. It was also awarded the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Award in 2020.
11 Huguenot St,
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 636-0006
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Italian restaurant with the charm of a real Italian Trattoria
Mon., Tues. and Wed. from 5 to 10pm
Thurs. Fri. and Sat. from 5 to 11pm
10 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-2000
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Sapori of Scarsdale
A handsome new restaurant serving unique and interesting authentic flavors of Italy, with a new lunch, bar and children’s menu that has both indoor and outdoor café dining.
Mediterranean
2 Chase Road
Scarsdale, New York 10583
914-874-5316
Scalini's mission is to serve classic yet innovative regional cuisine that highlights the culinary diversity of the country, including tasty homemade pasta and daily seafood specials. The food and beverages are skillfully curated under the direction of owners Angelo and Elio DiRosa of Abruzzo, Italy.
Scalini carries uniquely Italian microbrews and has a seasonal craft cocktail program and an extensive wine and spirits list. With a patio and secluded courtyard that mirrors a quintessential Tuscan village, their outdoor dining experience is available year-round and offers a perfect venue for all types of events and engagements.
65 Pondfield Road
Bronxville
914-337-4935
https://www.scaliniosteria.com
Tredici Social
Italian
Tredici Social serves contemporary Italian food with a modern flair. Outdoor Dining Available
104 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-1313
Roberto Paciullo's hometown of Salerno is transported to the streets of Tuckahoe. Zero Otto Nove Trattoria is the fourth outpost of his famous restaurants from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. From the atmosphere to the food, stopping by Zero Otto Nove is taking a quick trip to Italy.
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Marigold is a vibrant tribute to the rich tapestry of Indian flavors and timeless traditions. The menu proudly presents Chef Hemant Mathur's iconic creations, skillfully layered with a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy elements, all expertly woven together with fresh, high-quality ingredients and imaginative flair.
Each dish is a labor of love, meticulously prepared with the finest ingredients and authentic spices, resulting in an extraordinary and unforgettable experience. You will embark on an unparalleled culinary journey through the heart of India.
434 White Plains Rd. Eastchester, NY 10709
(914) 202 9455
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Ladle of Love
Ladle of Love dishes out delicious soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps, hand crafted meals and rotating daily specials. They also have a Meal Plan Program that is personalized for individuals or families, offering daily or weekly meals which can be customized to dietary preferences and needs.
18 Palmer Avenue, Bronxville
914.346-8883 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese
Owned by Bronxville's own Ruth Walter and Kevin McNeill, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese carries traditional varieties of cheese such as manchego, camembert and Irish Cheddar as well as other varieties from a half dozen countries. They also sell specialty breads, baguettes, scones, croissants, olive rye batard and other varieties provided by French baker, Balthazar. Gift baskets and party platters are available to order. It is also a go to destination for lunch for the school children offering the mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches on white or multi-grain bread and yummy lemonade.
107 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-361-1770
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