BLACK BEAR
The Isolation Blues;
reflections during covid-19
photo of artwork at The Black Bear Brewery in Bangor, Maine
When people visit the State of Maine on summer vacation they are often on the lookout for lobster, lighthouses, moose or black bear (and some strong bug repellant). Since most everyone enjoys a good bear story I thought I would share a couple in the next few entries of backwoodsblog.
As the story goes some friends of mine visited the cabin and brought something to grill on the barbecue that none of us had ever tried before – fresh shark. It reminded me of swordfish steaks, just a little oilier. The barbecue grill was located on the front porch of the cabin and a key part of the story is that I had it secured to the log wall with a chain and padlock (I guess I was worried someone would try and steal my old beat up grill). Well, later that night I woke up around one o’clock when I heard a loud banging and ruckus on the front porch and I instantly knew what was going on…someone was trying to steal my darn grill! I grabbed my flashlight and jumped out of bed (not even putting any clothes on) and ran out of the bedroom as fast as I could into the main cabin and swung open the front door. I turned my flashlight beam like a backwoods spotlight on the unsuspecting thief and to my surprise there was the largest black bear I had ever seen holding my grill mid-air. He froze. He looked at me like I had just caught him red-handed (which I had) and he ever so slowly set the grill back down on the porch and then made a mad dash off the porch and ran behind the cabin. I don’t know what I was thinking at the time (I guess I was still pissed he tried to take my grill), but I ran after him! Apparently he was faster than me because by the time I got around to the back of the cabin all I saw was black.
The next morning when I woke up I remembered the blurry bear incident from the night before and I wasn’t sure if it had really happened or if it was just a crazy dream. I walked out onto the porch to check my grill and although my grill was still chained to the log wall, on top of the grill cover there it was…a large, muddy bear paw print! So here’s my backwoods tip on black bear safety; if you ever happen to be grilling fresh shark in the woods always make sure you clean your grill before you turn in for the night. Take it from me.
Still in the woods,
Dave
August 11, 2021