The Day We Caught a Bear

My mom warned us — feeding wildlife can lead to trouble

(Photo from author’s files and story from author’s childhood memory bank)

Packed into our family van, we came upon a black bear at Yellowstone National Park. All five of us kids were in a thrilled state of awe. You could say that my dad was indulging the kids but actually it would be more truthful to say that he was feeding his own sense of adventure.

…And then there was mom. Let’s just say she wasn’t on board for this.

The bear was a gorgeous traffic stopper.

Literally.

Forward movement of cars was stop and go for at least thirty minutes before we finally arrived on the scene and feasted our eyes. (This is where the feasting should have stopped, but no.)

Everyone was doing it. Everyone was feeding the bear. Even us. Even though we knew better.

Our family van had a one sided sliding door and pretty soon it was wide open while my brother, with the best arm, was throwing food over the top of our vehicle, landing just a little ways from our car, close to the bear.

Big Ben took notice. He ambled over and began feasting.