Good news is that the flashing red and blue lights from police cars and an ambulance and hysterical laughter probably scared all the bears away. Stay safe.

Awesome story. I’ve worried about that in my van and backpacking as well. Now, so you don’t feel so silly…. A bush pilot buddy of mine from Alaska saw that the guy he JUST DROPPED OFF was writhing in pain on the beach. So my friend landed again to see what the problem was. The drop-off guys was on all fours and said “MAN I DIDN’T KNOW THIS BEAR REPELLENT WOULD HURT SO BAD WHEN YOU PUT IT ON!!” So he thought it was like mosquito repellent and put it on himself. There….your deal was not being dumb :]

Geeeez what a gnarly week. Glad ya’ll are okay. Some friends in Canada told me that tourists sometimes spray themselves with bear spray, thinking it’s meant to keep them away 🙃

I’m glad you’re OK. Besides being the greatest OK guitar player, I’m also a registered nurse and I would recommend carrying baby shampoo to clean out your eyes in case that ever happens again. The baby shampoo helps remove and break down the oils. It also won’t irritate your eyes as much as other remedies.

Holysht batman..... the fact that you did this video show how incredibly much you've grown over the past year!! Good on you!

I love the way you tell a story. I'm going back and forth on being scared for you and laughing. Glad you're okay!💚

I am so glad that you are okay. You and Finn are one of my favorite duos (along with Maddie and Liza and Anna solo). The "omg a bee" had me in stitches.

Another learning experience. I'm impressed at your ability to bounce back. You've grown a great deal as a person since your voyage of discovery began.

That was wonderful!!! A great example of “going with the flow”, & now I know what to do if I should get something like that in my face-which could be an easy thing to do. I like one of the comments about carrying baby shampoo with you-a great idea to have around the house for just such emergencies when anything could be sprayed in the wrong direction! Thank you for sharing the kaleidoscope of experiences that Life brings 💗

I could listen to you talk for hours, your voice is so calm and soothing and your videos are very relaxing. I'm sorry the bear spray got you but I'm glad you were ok. Stay safe and happy travels.

Dear Mariah. I hope you think at times about the impact that your videos have on people. Its 21:16 here and the day just got whole of a lot better. Youre an inspiration!

Oh my gosh you're so funny! Sounds like the officer was so kind and helped to talk you through the worst if the bear spray incident. Thank you for sharing lol I have these weird "perfect sequence of events" things happen to me all the time, so I'm glad you shared. AND put your awesome sense of humour spin on it too lol Also SO GLAD FINNY WASN'T INVOLVED! That would've been devastating 😢 Love that Bahamas shot at the end too, great video Mariah ❤

Oh wait thats a dope hobby! takin pics of the stars

And to think. I just bought some bear spray for me coming into Oregon this week. While it may have been painful for you to experience, you're reminding/teaching others about this experience and giving us something to think about while we use it.

damn what a fucking week... the most impressive thing is your attitude, even after all of that you managed to make the best out of your circumstances, learn and grow from them.. the character growth is most visible in this video, i hope you continue putting in the work and never give up!

I love the segments where you play a voice recorder note over footage. It's like a visual journal entry moreso than a normal vlog. :D Love your content!!

Glad you got through the bear spray episode! You did the right thing calling 911! Writing as a mom-no make that “grandma”!

Glad you're ok Mariah. Thank you for sharing your story, it was quite entertaining. I like that you keep it real for us. Have a great week! 😊

Your story telling is top notch, you are a real artist and I'm glad you are sharing your journeys.

Keeping it real, keeping it fun, thank you for the entertainment!

Loved it! These are experiences that no one can take away from you. The challenges will make more resilient to situations which is a good thing. I don't know if I could do van life but I definitely enjoy solo travel and it is an amazing feeling.

The officer asking "you one of those bloggers or something?" was an unexpected lol from me. Glad you are okay and able to laugh about it now 😊

OMG what a journey! I hope you know you've got a very natural comedic timing that comes through and I think it's gold✨. You're not alone in weird things happening. In the video I'm about to post on my channel about a trip to White Sands and the Organ Mountains, I had a moment (which I sadly did not get on camera) where I spooked myself in the middle of the night when I went to go pee and proceeded to trip and knock a bunch of stones loose (which I couldn't see because it was pitch black) which I heard and thought meant a mountain lion was chasing me causing me to scream, run wildly in the dark and then trip...again... it was only when I had actually fallen down and covered my head waiting for the impending attack that never came that I realised I had... well, scared myself. le sigh. life is humbling.

Literally laughed out loud at the pancake flip. Hilarious. Thank you.

mariah being scared of bears on a hike to failing at the bear spray this week... thank you for the serotonin, as always. love the voice memos!

That is so scary!! I would have the same reaction calling 911 and I’m glad you did just so the paramedics could check up on you to make sure everything was okay. Better safe than sorry!! Really glad you’re good though :) Side note: your videos have inspired me to take a solo day trip to the lake!! I had a great time traveling, hiking, and swimming alone (well until the families came to my spot at 10 am haha).

Thanks for these stories!! Your so chill and your voice is so soothing.

Yikes, what a video, even calling 911 is something that is very hard to do...great video, you have the spunk, you have the fortitude that so many wish for...thank you!

Grateful that you are ok, but really love the honest accounts of your life in your videos. We all have these moments in our lives, but instead of filing them away to ruminate over later, you own them and have a laugh and chalk it up to a life experience, then move on. Always leads to better mental health. Take care and safe travels. xx

Omg that sounds terrifying

loved the bear spray story--so glad you're ok--the lessons you are learning at such a young age are priceless--your input shapes your outlook and your outlook shapes your behavior so input good, positive information into your mind--

You are our gem. Remember as we all grew up, we were always told that we learn from our mistakes. This little one had a bit of a sting to it.. So glad that you're alright and actually able to giggle about it. Stay safe.💙🙏

You are so pretty California girl. I am so proud of you, this is epic. You’re teaching us all the biggest lesson.. handle what you can control. Keep moving forward, you’re an angel. We all love you 💕

I'm glad you're okay, and it does make for a funny #vanlife story... :)

All I can say is wow!!!

I’m so glad you’re ok. Bear spay is nothing to mess around with.

So glad you’re ok and Mr Finn was not in harms way with bear spray.🐾💙💝

Glad you're ok and happy to see that you weren't shy about making the right decision when it happened.

Omg, what a week that was! I do love when you include astrophotography in your videos, i love them. Your playing is getting better, hope you keep it up. Thanks for sharing your journey.

I think I have watched all of your videos. I have seen how strong you have gotten. I think you can overcome anything. Stay strong.

I’m so glad you’re ok. I’m glad you told us the story and now I can laugh with you. Fin is so stinking cute! ❤️

Cop: "are you one of those bloggers...?" Priceless.

As a former peace officer, we were required to be sprayed with OC (Pepper Spray) in order to be certified to carry and use it. The best analogy is: bobbing for french fries.

Oh Mariah! I’m crying and laughing at the same time! You poor thing. OMGOSH! I am so happy you’re ok!❤️🌸❤️

Oh my goodness!! You poor thing! So happy you are ok! ❤️

So glad you’re okay, and glad you had cell phone service! 🙏🏼

Thanks for sharing with us Mariah

You've got such a chill demeanor. Thanks for sharing that funny story. Love your channel.

So glad you could laugh about the bear spray! It's stories like that that we all remember. Currently planning my build of a shuttle bus as you are living my dream! Hope to see you on the road someday!

😆🤣 I can see me doing something like that. Great story. Stay safe and TFS💖

I feel your pain totally. I had nearly the exact same thing happen to me with bear spray. I was riding around town in my friend’s van and somehow the bear spray came loose and set itself off in the van. All three off us were bathed in it. Somehow we managed to stop and get out all while being blind, gagging and in serious pain. My friend puked on the sidewalk poor guy. I bet we were quite the sight to behold that day lol.

Give yourself Grace you did the right thing always play it safe with your eyes!❤️

Hahahahaha! “Are you one of those vloggers or something?” Yeah. Or something! I’m just impressed that you kept carrying the bear spray everywhere! 🐾🐾

Glad you’re ok

I was waiting for you to sing, when you started playing your guitar! I run karaoke every week (9 years now), and your voice is way more enjoyable than most of the singers I hear. I'm glad you didn't die from the bear spray. :)

Hard times makes us stronger! Experience is so valuable. Glad you’re ok! Love your vids! Waiting for the day I just happen to run into you somewhere whilst on your journey!

Oh man. Thank you for (Ahh a bee!) sharing your embarrassing moments with us for our enjoyment. Sorry that bear spray incident had to happen and I'm sure it's not fun but I'm glad to see you recovered. Oh...."so are you one of those bloggers or something?" Had me dying 🤣

Yayy..happy early 100k sub Mariah 👏👏

Bear spray is the same as police pepper spray. In the academy they would spray us in the face with it to show us it does not cause any permanent injury. But feeling like your head is on fire for a while was quite an experience. I remember yelling and the instructor sprayed it in my mouth too, eeeehh. So in the eyes, mouth nose, yup. Been there and done that one, lol. After dunking my head in a bucket of water several times, I thought, okay, this is over now, so I took a shower. During the shower the spray stuff flowed down to more sensitive areas, and yup, found that secondary problem too:) Memories... Next was the Taser and although the Spray lasted much longer the Taser was really like riding a bull for 8 seconds. Which is just enough time to normally get handcuffs on the bad guy. We learned you can grab onto a person who is being Tased as long as you do not touch the area between the two "prongs" that are basically straight fish hooks that stick into the person or their clothing. The spark can travel up to two inches so might even work on a bear too. Not sure if I want to be the first to try that one though :) I think if a bear is around your van, just a spray out the window will deter it. Hopefully... Great video!! :)

Don't feel bad accidents happen to everybody I'm just glad you are okay may God be with you on your travels

omg no poor you, I'm glad the incident did not harm you/your eyes! But I laugh-cried at the thought of officer Rey helping you wash out your eyes in the middle of a forest. Like your match on hinge said, in this economy we take our serotonin wherever we can! I hope the paramedics treated you kindly and nobody dared to make fun of you.

"Are you one of those vloggers or somethin'?" hahaha Love it.

Finn is way beyond adorable! Such a great companion. I enjoy your videos so much….even the cray ones lol

Oh no! I am so glad your ok and you are so much like me where I can take a scary situation and giggle about it lol. So happy little Finn wasn’t by the spray ❤

Yes a Monday Video . . LOL

Glad you're OK. Nice strumming, sounds very smooth and relaxed. God protect you always.

i cant believe there are just wildflowers out there like that so so so gorgeous oh my goodness

I'm glad that God protected you and that you are ok. God bless.

I enjoyed your cutting of the banana. haha. making each cut morsel take a short roller coaster ride down the peel. haha. never seen that in my 56 years on this round planet. One could write a whole book on fun ways to peel produce!

Oh my gosh! I am glad you are ok.

When I heard about the floods in Yellowstone, you were the first person I thought about. Does that mean I'm watching too many of your videos? 😉An accidental bear spray discharge is likely very common. There has probably been more humans sprayed then actual bears! 🙃 It's fortunate your location was someplace where you were able to summon help. Glad you avoided the floods and had no prolonged discomfort. 😊

Your narration is very entertaining. Your videos are often poetic, and you, yourself, are exquisitely lovely.

A lot of people spray it into the wind and it comes right back on them, bear spray is made to stunt bears quick and strong but not hurt/injure them 😊 Pepper spray is much longer lasting and is made to injure.

Wow. Rough week here too. Glad you’re ok.

I'm glad you shared this story! I'm sorry you had to experience that pain but the ridiculousness of it did make me smile! I admire your bravery for sharing this silly story :)

I think you are so adorable! So real and unpretentious! Thank you for the honesty you share! Blessings!

I’m glad you’re okay and can laugh about it. It’s always been my biggest fear, honestly, lol. 😂😂

Ok..omg THE MOST adorable pup🥰new subbie loving this channel!

... What a YT pro you are: gagging, blind, dizzy - and still putting up the camera! Stay safe.

I sprayed myself with pepper spray last year. I was so scared! I thought I was going to be partially blind forever, lol. I laugh at it now. You're awesome, Mariah :)

This area looks magical! My gosh absolutely beautiful. Plus now you have the bonus of an amazing yet not at all amazing memory of this place. Every time you roll through you will laugh

Just glad that you are okay. No shame it what happens, as it happens quite often. It happened to a gentleman in the lobby of the national park that I visited. He accidentally sprayed himself as he sat down, and so much of it came out that it hit five other people that were sitting next to him. It didn't look fun, so I can only imagine how you felt that night. I'm happy to see that you are doing well.

Aw. Don't feel embarrassed. Well, at least not TOO embarrassed. Just in May of this year, I surpassed even my own capacity for self-humiliation as I ... drove my lawn tractor straight through my garage door!! Yep. That's right. I pulled the tractor out of the garage and closed the door nearly all the way to keep onlookers from seeing inside, hopped on the tractor, started it up, put it in gear, and released the brake. Unfortunately for me, the gear I put it in was sadly ... not reverse. It was, gulp ... FOURTH! I went careening into that door like Clark Griswold in a scene from the Vacation movie franchise!! Fortunately, I had the good sense to hit the brake and thought to myself "Phew! It could have been so much worse." I was soon to remember that moment with fond nostalgia as I relaxed for a second and, yes. You guessed it. I took my foot off the brake without turning off the engine!!! I pushed straight through the door like it was made out of crate paper!! I hit the brake AGAIN and there I am, sitting on my tractor, lying almost on my back, neatly lodged in my garage door. Thankfully, this time, I was able to reach the gearshift and put it in reverse and quickly extricated myself from abject humiliation, but not without ... an AUDIENCE. Yes. To add to my ultimate moment of DUMB and DUMBER, it was witnessed by at least SIX construction workers working on the road in front of my house. To their credit, they looked very concerned and asked if I was OK. I told them I was, and once they saw that the only thing bruised on me was my ego, they mildly chuckled and asked me if I had "a little one too many". I said no, which was followed up with one of them making a "drag on a cigarette" motion as if to ask me if I had been "smokin' the ganga mon" I said "Nope. This was just purely me on STUPID!" They laughed and we went about our business. To add insult to injury, the tractor stalled, as it has been doing lately and I had to sit there on my front lawn for a few minutes before it would start again. This happened a couple more times ... right before it rained! Ugh.

One of your absolute best videos

I'm watching your first vlog but I really appreciate your hard work I'm my self adventurous and watching adventure, traveling vlogs every time but I really really got in love with your work and the way you're making it. lot's of loves ❤️be safe and happy🤲

Oh hun, boy, what a week you had. It's good that you can laugh about it and have a giggle or two. Glad your ok. 👽✌🇨🇦❤

Got to it late but great funny video,,, I was laughing as much as you were, we’ll probably not as much as you … Chapter: What can happen will happen like bear spray.

Mariah, I too am glad you’re ok. I’m glad you can laugh in the face of adversity. I find the strangest things happen when I am not practicing being present in the moment. I have smashed fingers, gouged my shin to the bone, and gotten cuts requiring stitches by not being present in the moment. I have started practicing presence whenever I am doing something involving anything which could hurt me, and I’ve found that things are happening less often. Biggest thing, learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others, because there’s not enough time to make all mistakes in your lifetime. Stay safe sweet lady, I enjoy your energy, insight and openness about your life and travels.

you poor girl glad your ok hope the next couple of weeks were better for ya

Sorry about the bear spray. We've all done things like that. :) The good news is mace/pepper spray doesn't cause any permanent damage. Same stuff used to train police and military. When I was in the Army, we had to go through a gas chamber full of that stuff. It feels like suffocating and burns like hades... but eventually goes away. Also, on the bright side, you've got a much better appreciation for the stuff because its not uncommon for a lot of people needing to use it will spray INTO the wind and have it come right back at them. :(

From some one who has had a fair amount of time with triggers. There is a spot above the trigger where you always, always, keep your finger. On most things that have a trigger there is a safety, please keep it engage until your need it. Stay safe.

Im so happy you and Phineas are safe. Please be careful and keep your head on a swivel. Plus you got a bath that night so yeah that was a shining moment 😊

You always have great music when you drive. Good job. Great vids! Peace

Lesson learned, always keep emergency pancake mix in the van… great video! Glad your ok, thanks for sharing this story!

Working in the field where carry repellent I was told you could use milk to help with the burning and they also sell a neutralizer for it

Ha ha, the mistakes are the best part of traveling! You will remember that your entire life. Glad you shared it. That’s what keeps me coming back to your channel is the honest mistakes and fears, It reminds me to be open to my friends and family even if it makes me feel or look silly.

Pls stay safe dear.I love th way yu choose to live your life

Cop: "Are you one of these vloggers or something?" Mariah: ***aaand cut***

It's 100% true that bear spray should be called "Homo sapien" spray because it's used on humans more than it's ever used on bears. Just ask the park rangers at Glacier NP. Every year there's a bear-spray discharge on the little lake boats, which is bad because no one can escape lol. Anyway, glad you're ok!!

Great Video! Thanks for sharing your adventure!