Grouse Mountain playground

On my walk up to the top of the peak chair, I passed the grizzly bear caged area. They were there! That's the first time I've seen them. Cool, I thought. So I stopped as close to them as I could get for a look-see. They were play fighting. Kinda like dogs do. Wrastling and biting each others mouths. Soon though, they realized I was there and they didn't like being watched. They stopped playing around. They were only about 20 feet away from me. The one closer to me turned around and slowly started walking toward me. Then, when he was almost at the fence, for a moment, he bolted toward me, as if he wanted me dead. Then he stopped right next to the fence. Five feet away from me. He looked me in the eyes, opened his mouth fully wide and yelled out a silent roar at me. I considered that now might be a good time to shit my pants. Well, not really. I would have if the electric fence wasn't there. Instead, I stared back into his eyes with breathless fascination. Then he turned around and walked away and he and his buddy left for the woods. I felt a little sad for them. They don't really like us, I think, and they don't like their privacy invaded. Which, of course, is exactly what I was doing. Mixed feelings about that. They would be dead if they weren't rescued and set up in this really cool natural-like habitat where they are well cared for. But they can't help being what they are- grizzly bears. King of the forest. And I can't help being what I am- fascinated by this magnificent and massive creature who is just 5 feet away from me. I didn't take any photos. My gear was packed for the hike and I wasn't expecting any close encounters. Regardless, I'll never forget that 30 second we shared. Sadly, I'm sure he never wants to remember it.

Done