Poking the Bear

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

In honor of family vacations, I give you the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

I grew up in Tennessee and South Carolina. During the time I lived in Tennessee my parents liked to take us to the Great Smoky Mountains over long weekends. The Smoky Mountains are located within the Appalachian Mountain chain divided between Tennessee and North Carolina. (My dad claims he is going to hike the Appalachian Trail someday, which stretches from Georgia to Maine and is 2,178 miles long) (532 people hiked it in 2008).


Appalachian Mountains

I am sure many of you experienced family vacations in National Parks. I hope you did not experience a park ranger poking a black bear.

Just in case you do have one of those hilarious family adventures- you should step up to the challenge. Here is what trained park rangers tell you to do.

Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. Don’t run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Try to increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting, try changing your direction. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Act aggressively and try to intimidate the bear. Act together as a group if you have companions. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. Use a deterrent such as a stout stick. Don’t run and don't turn away from the bear.

For the record, the postcard does not indicate that the park ranger has made it to "level stick" yet.

They also want you to watch out for panhandler bears.

Other blogs that talk about bears and Memorial Day.