Nice story! First bear I saw out here probably 50+ yards away, crossing a path I was walking on sent my heart thumping. She looked at me, I looked at her, and uselessly picked up a random arm sized stick. She continues crossing the path to the other side and lol and behold a wee cub, I mean really wee ( ok, he was 50 + yards away. . . ) ran after her and I felt lucky. Since that day in 2011, I have seen many bears, some much closer, some mommas with 3 cubs (mostly from a car) and I always consider it a spiritual blessing from nature: I have been privileged to see a species of one of the largest North American mammals! Thanks for bearing with my less exciting story. . . 😜