It really is that yellow brick road again, leading to who knows where? I like the colors for that alone! I know what you mean, sometimes it's nice to have people around in areas that are known to harbor predators. I prefer to not prospect along either, you never know... Bear spray is a must and a smart thing to carry. Many times when I've been alone hiking I get an eerie feeling, and I know it's time to turn around. I think we really do have that sense that something isn't right, one that's not yet defined but very real.
Yeah, sometimes I find myself scanning constantly in all directions, and then when I "snap out" of that eerie kind of feeling, just go back to enjoying the nature, at least until the next bout of "eerie feeling".