A grizzly affair

One year, while camping up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I ran across a couple bears on Grand Island. Because this wasn’t the first time I found myself upon a black bear, I wasn’t terribly frightened. I was, however, extremely nervous.
When I went to Butler, the school offered a program which took college freshmen on a ten day adventure trip. On this occasion, I was a leader of several kids. Because most of the campers never really camped in bear country, they were a little unacquainted with the techniques used to prevent bear encounters in camp.
One afternoon, after we returned from a hike, we found a couple visitors snooping around the outskirts of our campsite. After taking a quick glance, I realized the bears were yet to enter. Nothing was missing, save the wits of a couple campers. The others immediately brandished their cameras, and immediately transformed into National Geographic photographers.
A few brave ones began an attempt to sneak up on a mother bear, Steve Irwin style. My previous experience with this shot to the front of my memory, and I quickly realized the bear spray was no where in site. My heart was racing. I didn’t want to step in between excited outdoor novices and a memory they could share for a lifetime. I also didn’t want them to be hurt. So, I yelled at them to back off, and take their pictures from a distance. Thankfully, they did.
Looking back, I realize I probably was a little harsh and overprotective. I maybe even overreacted. But, I’ve seen video they may not have, and know first hand how unpredictable nature can be.
Moral of the story: there is none.