The last night hike I was on convinced me to not do it unless I have to.

I jumped a bear in the brush at very close quarters. He ran.

I encountered a skunk walking toward me with his tail up. I ran.

I stepped onto what I thought was a grass covered meadow but it was a swamp covered in some type of green growth. I went in up to my waist before scrambling out.

I almost sat down on two adult rattlesnakes who were sleeping at the base of a tree. There were also a half dozen more around my feet who were babies.