Botanical Living Inspired By Nature

Some properties come with mountain views, some come with fresh air. Mine came with a bear. Living on a 10 acre forest property means you get used to the occasional wildlife visitor, but my 3 acre vineyard sits right at the top of the mountain trail,  essentially the first all you can eat buffet for any bear wandering through. And about seven years ago, one young black bear decided he had found his new favorite restaurant. He was small, scruffy, and either lost or abandoned by his mother. Not having  the heart to scare him off, I let him nibble a little. That was my first mistake. He came back the next year and the year after that, each time bigger, hungrier, and far more confident about his dining privileges. I installed cell linked game cameras that gave me an alert whenever he arrived. Of course, he preferred late night and early morning reservations. I would jump in the truck, shine lights, make noise and eventually he would disappear into the bushes for a few minutes, then stroll right back like, nice try, human. By year three, it had become a psychological game of cat and mouse. He had no pattern, no schedule, and absolutely no respect for vineyard boundaries. I had just finished paying for a 10 acre perimeter fence, which he treated as more of a suggestion than a rule. Then one day, a neighbor called to say there was a bear fight happening on my property. A large male had moved in and treed my little troublemaker. It was quite the spectacle, and after hours of posturing, growling, and dramatic tension, eventually the big guy backed down and wandered off. Somehow, the smaller bear, my bear, had won the territorial battle. From that day forward, he earned his name: **Bad Bear**. He was not actually bad. He was clever, persistent, and oddly respectful in his own way. He knew I would never hurt him, and I think he enjoyed our nightly games more than the grapes. I have not seen Bad Bear in a few years now. Other bears have come and gone, but none with his personality. I still catch myself checking the cameras at night, half expecting to see him wandering in like old times. He may have stolen a lot of grapes, a lot of sleep, and a bit of my sanity, but he also left me with a story, a name, and a reminder that the forest has a sense of humor. And that is how **Bad Bear Forest Botanicals** got its name.