re: Since bears have been in the news lately. Have you ever seen one

Me and my now ex and my then 3 year old were at a cabin near Gatlinburg. It was time to check out. I was packing the car, making sure to lock the car in between trips, as a precaution against wildlife intrusion. My now ex, and she was prone to doing of course ridiculed me for taking such precautions.

Then wouldn't you know it, a mamma bear and two older cubs just happen upon our cabin while I am inside packing the final load. The sliding patio door was open as they approached. They paused for a second to take a look at the scene, probably 15 feet away although it felt like 5. The three of us humans are kind shocked with awe, just staring at the natural wonder unfolding before us. Then my son decided it's a good idea to try and pet one so I snap out of it, pull him inside, along with the ex. Then we are held hostage for about 30 minutes with the bears snooping all around outside an occasionally hanging out by windows in full view.


Then on the way out we saw like 8 bears in Cades Cove from a distance of maybe 200 yards. That was not nearly as exciting.



On the other hand, I hiked the souther-most 450 miles of the AT in my 20's, did see one goddamn bear the entire time.