Many years ago, in another life (former marriage), we were travelling to California from Kansas by way of New Mexico, and planning to camp along the way. Entering N. Mexico from the North, we came to a lovely little area that was in a National Forest and quite hilly.

Fine- unload small pup-tent from 62 VW bug and set up on the levelest spot we could find on a long slope. Have a bite of supper and unroll the sleeping bags as it gets dark.

As we are ready to climb in, she says: "Shouldn't we put everything in the car? There might be bears around."

"Oh," says I "this is a campground with people around...there aren't likely to be bears near.

We climb into sleeping bags and take about 4 breaths.....when *rattle, rattle...scrape..clink* comes noise from above! We push the tent flaps aside just in time to see about a half-grown black bear running/tumbling/scampering down the slope past the tent about 40 feet away. It disappeared into the dark....and I got up and made SURE there was nothing of interest to bears left out...to the accompaniment of knowing giggles.

Lesson: always ASSUME there 'might' be something wild about if you are any place near wilderness.