Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I've lost track of how many of these I've shared, but it's time to get back to it. This came to mind while in a staff meeting when a co-worker (who is always boasting) told us about his recent trip to Alaska, and how while he was fishing from a boat on a river, he came within 20' of a black bear on the shore. I said, "You want to know how close I've come to a black bear?" Then I made a gesture like one would if petting a dog. Only a four foot tall dog. I've not embellished this in any way, and unlike most of the other stories, I was there for this one. It was 1968 I believe, maybe 1967, and my mom and dad took my sister and I on a long grueling trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Yellowstone National Park. 'Grueling' because my sister and I were confined to a cab-over camper for several days while mom and dad rode in the cab of the pickup (there was no pass through). After half a day of being imprisoned with each other we weren't getting along, and when we arrived at Yellowstone I socked my older and bigger sister so hard I knocked her out (self defence, I swear) - but that's another story. Things have changed dramatically from 1970 on, but back then it was very common for black bears to come up to the roadside and popular parking areas and beg for food. People freely disobeyed the many warning signs and regularly fed the bears, including mother bears with cubs, papa bears, and so on. So did we. On about our third day in the Park, we pulled up to a parking area near some site or another, and there was a lone bear of medium size (big) who was being hand fed chips and marshmallows by someone who was also petting the bear on the head while a crowd watched (some closer than others). Boy did my dad get excited by that! Hand feeding a 'wild' bear! And we had a nearly full bag of marshmallows! So dad and I jumped out with the marshmallows and headed for the bear. Now my mom's screaming at us "don't you dare, etc. etc." but off we went. I can't clearly remember how we took over, but I'm pretty sure it was something like the man feeding the bear said "Do you want to take over?", and while the bears mouth was full we made the switch. First my dad took his turn, more or less stuffing the marshmallow into the bears mouth as soon as the last one disappeared, and petting the bears head. My mom's still yelling "Stop that! etc. etc." The next thing that happened was something everyone in our family will never forget. This had been going on a little while when someone came up to my dad and asked, "Is that your bear?" Then, while the bear was contentedly chewing, my father and I changed places. Now I was hand feeding and petting this 'wild' bear. A while later my father took over again. Being very wise, my father spotted a young man of about college age who was standing closer than most, so my dad said "would you like to take over?" This guy didn't hesitate for a moment. He said, "sure" and my dad handed him the bag of marshmallows. We then ran like heck back to the pickup and while laughing our rear ends off, we burned rubber getting away from there. The bag we handed away only had three marshmallows left! Good times!
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 What a wonderful story, Schmitty! Would've LOVED to see that happen! Got anymore interesting true-life stories, Schmitty?
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 I kept waiting for a punchline, but was glad to hear it was a true story! (unless I'm just being my usual, gullible, blonde self!)
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Very enjoyable! Keep on posting stories on your father. There may be a book there.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I will ask my mom if she took any pictures, but I'd guess it wouldn't be hard to find many other pictures of people inapropriately feeding bears, including hand feeding. There was a huge effort underway to separate people from the bears. There were lots of pictorial handouts of what not to do, and I can remember seeing TV spots people hand feeding bears from their cars. I can't say I ever saw anyone petting a bear. That was the extraordinary element. DLfn8, you want a couple of phone numbers (sis and mom) to verify this? The only thing sis would object to was that I knocked her out. I did, and I still plead self defence, but she can't remember what happened if she was knocked out. IT WAS NEVER SPOKEN OF AGAIN. From the look of horror on my parent's face, I'd expect my mom would remember - except she doesn't seem to remember too much lately (except it seems selective). I guess I'd better get around to telling that story pretty soon but it's not glamorous.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes BTW Can anyone give me again the trick to 'search engine' LP? I wasn't present for any of the other 'Tales of my Father' (rat marshmallow roast, Presidio firing squad, etc.) but I had lots of opportunity to be alone with my uncles and asked them what actually happened, and they indipendently verified each story. My father had an amazing life. Oops, I just remembered the Angels Spoke To My Father story. Well, I was there for that one as well, and all I can tell you is what I witnessed. Take it or leave it, but I still know Marion, and I'm happy with that. I have a few more, and yes, I've thought about writing a book.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer >>I have a few more, and yes, I've thought about writing a book.<< Schmitty, I've loved the tales of your father and, although I know you seldom let the truth get in the way of a good story. I'm convinced that each tale of your father is nothing but truth. BTW, would it be possible to pre-order?
Originally Posted By LuLu >>I know you seldom let the truth get in the way of a good story<< Well done, Shiva, you said that so much more elegantly than I!
Originally Posted By chickapin I remember feeding the bears at Yellowstone through the open car windows (open about 8 inches at the top) but never just standing with them. We have pictures of the bears at cars looking just like a car hop standing on 2 legs at the window! Boy, was that a long time ago...
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes >>I know you seldom let the truth get in the way of a good story<< Yeah, but when I do that, I try to make it obvious.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer ^^ <--wonders how many people really thought Tinkeroon and iamsally were dancing on the tabletops at the State fair last year? Schmitty, any of us who have the privilege of being close to you know that you hold certain things sacred. This thread and the others about your father are a few of them. I've loved all of the ones I've read but think I may have missed one too. I could only find these two. ...maybe you can post the links to the first one? More tales of my father <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-94969-P-1.asp?C=1" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms....asp?C=1</a> Tales of My Father #3 <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-95676-P-1.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...-P-1.asp</a>
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes Shiva, That's why I requested the search engine trick for searching LP. You missed the story about the rats, and it's one of my favorites. If I can't find it on line, I'll tell it to you next time I see you.
