Well, I've lived here in the Sierra Nevada foothills for almost seven years now, and tonight is the first time I've seen a bear (other than in Alaska). I caught him in my headlights as I was driving up to the house - he seemed to be jumping out of our apple tree, and then he ran off into the woods. He was a cute little guy - smaller in frame than a Great Dane but a lot chubbier. I wish I had been able to see him more clearly. And I hope he doesn't figure out how to get into the freezer in our garage.

-Joe-