Tracks of a sow bear and two cubs that had been there quite recently were in the sand along the right side of the beach. I wondered if those tracks were from the same bear that had left the steaming “gift” in the trail! Cautiously, I walked even a bit farther. I was well aware of the heightened danger of a mother bear with cubs and didn't want to provoke her. The farther I walked the more overcome I was with a sense of being all alone and defenseless.