Can I return my $50 can of bear mace?

So we got out of Yellowstone without seeing a bear. Oddly, I’m a little upset about this. It seemed everywhere we went, I heard a passer-by’er talking about their encounters with a bear-- usually from a distance and usually in a car. They would talk about it like a badge of honor. I have mixed feelings about this.

Growing up I vividly remember watching the movie The Bear. Curled up on my parents couch, tears rolling down my face, I would periodically choke out, “I love bears!” Bears were cute and cuddly and no one could resist their cute little paws. I imagined myself in the wild, skipping along a path and coming upon a cute little bear peacefully eating honey. He would purr and I would pet him. We’d become friends and we would cuddle while falling asleep in a field of daisies. They are just like cats! I thought to myself.

Fast forward 20-years to Kinsman, Ohio. While spending the weekend at Melissa’s mom’s house, we stumbled upon the television show, I Survived. Sweet mother of Jesus, it was terrifying. While hiking through Yellowstone (where we just came from!), two men were attacked by a (no drumroll needed here) bear. Or should I say, BEAR!!!! It was full out mayhem. Big giant paws with big giant claws everywhere! . . . Clawing at their faces. And legs. And arms. And torsos. Bears are not like kitty cats. The point was made and well received, thank you every much Biography – bears are scary.

So I went to Yellowstone armed. Armed with a $50 can of bear mace. I carried this huge can with me for days (in fact, it’s still in my bag right now). At night, it was always within reach. I plucked down the money for it and I didn’t even get to use it! I’m upset I didn’t get my boy scout patch for this one.

So . . . I paid to see the bears!!!! Like any normal blue-blooded American would do. Thank you Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center!

Brooke

I think this bear was purring as he smashed his paw into the bear-proof dumpster.