Okay, I have a question. About camping in general, not this trip persay.

In planning for our housekeeping camp trip, the hubster offered to bring a bottle of wine. I don't like wine but my mind wandered to other drinks.

But then I thought of me, a lightweight, after drinking and sleeping in a tent that has a shower curtain as a door....how do you guys feel about that and the bears?

I have a problem with bears. Problem as in fear. I was happy to get a riverside tent but then I thought that the bear probably like to go to the river for water??????

I'll probably sleep quite lightly...

Anyone have any ideas/help/stories?

Or is this subject taboo?

Yes, this subject is taboo. Black Dicks on White Men is perfectly fine though.

Well, I dunno. I think that people are more curious about the BD on WM and willing to talk it up.

Bears I think make people soooo nervous!!

follow the rules they give you when you arrive and you shouldnt have a problem. no food in the tents, use the bear boxes, no trash left around etc.

in all the years Ive been camping Ive seen one, ever. I saw their tracks and could hear them off and on, but never eye to eye. and even it was miles from camp and ran when it spotted us.

worry more about running out of something you need (tp, water etc), as its far more likely. :)

Everything scented in the bear box (this includes soap, cosmetics, etc.)

EVERYTHING scented in the bair box - even thing you think smell bad. Sun tan lotion, food or drink, toothpaste, lip stick or chapstick - all of it needs to go into the bear box.

You may see a bear but I've seen more bears in the day time than in the night time. However, don't leave a bag of Dorritos next to your camp table or you'll be SURE to see a bear in the night. We did at Sequoia.

If you feel unsafe about bears, carry some sort of noise maker with you at all times. Banging pots and pans together is a good way to scare them off. Also, don't run and make yourself as large as possible.

Yeah, if you can stand with others in a group that's good too.

Thank you, all of you, for your tips!!

It is that eye to eye, Capt Jack, that has me shaking! But, I will follow those rules and thanks NA, I will find something noisy to keep by me at all times!!

We will only be two people, so no group!!

I thought of bringing my sis and her two kids but those kids are snack eating machines and I don't think they would understand the rules.

I tell ya, going with kids, going without kids, I think it will be a bit more relaxed, no? I always worried about the kids falling behind and the fear of mountain lions.

Again, thanks you guys!

As for the food, on this trip I think we are not going to take too much. Being mothers day, I am expecting a nice dinner at the Mountain Room....

{not that I deserve it for abandoning my kids on mothers day!! I feel sooo bad about that...}

MouseWife, as long as you can run faster than the slowest member of your family, you should be fine. ;)