We saw a BEAR at Smoky Mountain Tower

It has been more than 5 years since we've seen a bear near our cabin. But that all changed last week when we were there with our grandsons - Zack and Nathan. We were just about ready to leave Smoky Mountain Tower. Zack headed out to the car and came right back in to announce, "There's a bear out there!" We thought he was joking! But sure enough - there was this reasonably-sized bear who came strolling down the driveway and sniffed around the garbage. He couldn't get in, so he didn't stay long there. He walked over to a sign we have by the house and chewed on it for a minute, then ambled off down the hill behind the hot tub deck.

I did get a chance to lean out the door and snap a quick picture as he was chewing on the sign - all while Phyllis and the boys were yelling at me to get back inside! Sorry - this is the best I could do: