30 Comments

Rain and bears, that's some real camping, James. I don't know what I would have done in that situation, but running like hell is a good option. You are fortunate Kink didn't confront the bear. Steak and eggs makes everything better.

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Yes I think it was a good thing that Kink was lagging behind. It could have been bad had they crossed paths. Thanks, KC.

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Bears. If they didn’t scare us when we don’t expect them, and if they didn’t dig through our trash in the middle of the night, they’d almost be cute.

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I know, just big ole dogs. I live in the suburbs now. I'd rather be where there are bears.

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Probably smart in their own way, but.

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Happy Thanksgiving to you, James and glad you got away...

You have a knack for bringing back memories like the time I was camped out in the wilderness and a bear woke me up before dawn sniffing my face as I lay wrapped in my sleeping bag and I all I could do was wiggle my nose and whisper good morning. Good times...

Oh, make that Happy Thanksgiving Late....

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Now that's a wake up call! I don't know what I would do in such a situation. I've heard heavy foot steps around my tent but didn't venture a look. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Victor. Thanks!

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Artfully done, as always, Ron. Suspense right up to the coffee and bacon.

Thankfully we don't have bears in this country.

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Thank you, Bob! I think you are in Australia? Plenty of creatures to be wary of there. We get used to the dangers we are familiar with. With as many bears over here, there are a surprisingly low number of bad outcomes.

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Yes Australia. A couple of snakes and spiders and that's it. No large predators to worry about. Not in the bush anyway. Might be a few in the cities!

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Wow! That was a great read! We get rumors of bears here in the summer. The young males go looking for new territory. I have yet to see one.

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Thank you, Caro! When you least expect it, there it will be. : )

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Well, I’m horrified - and hooked. Sharing.

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Thank you, Patris!

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Good 🙃

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🙂

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Hair-raising! I can just see you flying down that trail at a speed you never thought possible. "Feet, don't fail me now!" Glad it was you and not me.

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Hi, Sharron! It was just like that - almost laughing with adrenaline.

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This is intense, James! My heart was pounding reading this. A month or two ago a big black bear rumbled out of the woods and ran across the road in front of me while I was driving…I nearly clipped him!

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Thank you, Justin! I bet that got the blood going. That can be an expensive repair.

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Nope, no bears for me. I'll take my chances with the gators, thank you.

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Me, too, Jim. Thanks!

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I’d rather ride the subway at three am.

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Ha! Good one, Patris. Me, too.

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Even a baseball bat wouldn't do you much good against a determined bear, though black bears usually don't cause much trouble (knock on wood). There are a lot of them in the forests where I live. But encounters are rare. Regardless, a bear is a bear, so there's no way it won't be a bit scary.

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It seemed natural to pick up something. I know there are a lot of black bears down your way, I've seen them in the Smoky Mtns. I've seen them out here in the Sierras. I carry bear spray but yes if a bear is determined you are in trouble. I hear you should fight a black bear but ball up and play dead with a grizzly.

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I can picture that cartoon moment, James Ron, as the hero picks up his weapon of choice, and the bear smiles! Exit strategy for sure! Always a great read!

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Thanks, Ron. I know, I had a real "This is not good" moment!

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I love to read your stuff. Let's see AI write anything like that! The again, most humans couldn't because they haven't experienced it. Having said that. are your stories all true, mostly true, or made up? They're good stories, regardless.

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Thank you very much for the very nice comments! This story is true as are most of them but I will mix them up. I will add an experience to a story I make up. Thanks again.

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