Russian River became even more special once I met the campground hosts. When I got to talking with Carol, I asked if she thought it was safe for a woman to hike the trail down to the river by herself. She said that she had done it, but that she honestly wouldn't recommend it. Even though it's early in the season and the salmon aren't yet running the river to entice the bears down the mountain, it's just a matter of days before it starts, so she wouldn't be surprised to see a bear on the trail at any time. So I said the trail I saw looked enticing, but I didn't think I wanted to hike it by myself. She said, "Well let me see if I can take off for a few hours and I'll go with you. We'll go as far as you want to and turn around anytime." What an angel! She knew the trails like the back of her hand, and besides being more comfortable walking with her, she was a blast to talk to and we discovered many things in common.