up on Bear Mountain in Connecticut there are a group of camping sites, all within a mile of each other. one shelter area is called Riga Shelter, and its a very fine area to camp. the shelter itself is very new, i believe it was made in 2023, and it faces towards the east off the mountain. the view is great. if you sleep in the shelter, you can usually get a fantastic sunrise. the area also provides plenty of sites for tents and at least one tent platform. it is actually the very first place I ever camped by myself but the story is for another time. anyways, up at Riga shelter there is usually a stream you can rock hop across to get to the site if the water is high. it may seem like that is the water source for the shelter but if you look closer, there's actually a spring at the site. so in dry times when the stream isn't there, don't forget to look for the spring. it is located towards the right when you turn into the site, there's a sign pointing towards it. travel a tiny way down the path and you'll run into it. the water there is great and cold, i look forward to it most days. on this particular day i was looking very much forward to it as i didn't carry any water up from my car. I was counting on it. Riga Shelter is a popular spot. As I approached the turn towards the shelter, i saw a group of girls near the entrance. at first i didn't know what they were doing besides standing there but as i got closer, i was able to see. they were changing their clothes. one girl had pants in hand and was just in her underwear. when i noticed this, they also noticed me. i turned my head and walked passed to give them privacy, but doing so, i also walked by the spring. like i said, i was very much looking forward to it. I then turned back towards them and asked if they were decent and if i could squeak by really quick to get water. they were laughing when the noticed me but when i asked this question, they kinda looked confused. I am an expeirenced hiker and backpacker so to someone who doesn't know, i may look strange. i dont carry a lot and have a smaller size pack. I tried my best to not creep them out, but i really wanted that water. they said sure, so i went by them and headed to the water. they were quiet as i passed. i filled up my water bag and started to filter my water with my back towards them for privacy. for them. after i filtered the bag, i still need more water and i took a quick look back towards the girls. they were roughly 40 yards away up a little hill, and they were all staring at me. that scared me a little and caught me off guard. I waved and for some reason i asked, "are yall waiting for me?" to which they responded they were not. so i then filtered my second bag of water. i could only imagine what they were thinking, probably just keeping an eye on this stranger who somehow new where the water was. I finished with the water and said my good byes to the girls. i never saw them again, but it made my night because every time i thought about that interaction, it makes me laugh.Â