And my parents had a bear on their street as well awhile back in Nor Cal. Shortly after one was hit and killed on a freeway near by and it is believed to be the same one. It was first discovered popping its head up and looking into a neighbor’s window.

Oh, and my daad went toe to toe with a bear at Yosemite ! He was on a path, turned a corner and ‘ta-da,’ there it was ! He didn’t notice the bear until turning that corner and ending pretty much face-to face with it; and for some reason the bear didn’t know he was gonna be there either. I’m told the just stood there looking at each other, both a little surprised by this chance acquaintance. He then started calling for my mom. The bear went on his way shortly afterwards. My dad probably should’ve never brought his ‘loves a good story’ wife in on this one though. Every time she tells it, my dad ends up being more and more ‘in fear for his life, desperately calling to her for help’ each time she tells it ! Poor guy = /

My older sister, Linda, was visiting my Dad from the San Francisco area after the “bear-pool-car” incident. She decided to go for a walk around the property and thought she had better take a gun (rifle) with her. She grabbed the one propped up behind the front door and off she went.

When she came back from her walk — no bear sightings – she put the gun back in it’s place. To which my Dad said to her “What were you doing with that toy pop-gun?”

Obviously, she doesn’t know lick about guns!!!

And it’s a good things she didn’t see a bear!!!

First, a question – What do they do with the bears in Yosemite National Park (California) that annoy campers over and over again?

Answer – They take them outside the park and let them go (to wander aimlessly and annoy other people).

Which brings me to my sisters bear story…

She lives about 1 1/2 hours mountain driving from the Yosemite park entrance in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. One night, in the middle of the night, her husband – my brother-in-law, Mike – heard this noise that woke him up. He peered out their bedroom window then said, “Brenda, there’s a bear getting out of our pool!” Of course, she didn’t believe him and had to see for herself. Yep, a very large black bear. He didn’t seem to bother anything, left the yard after his midnight swim and that was that. Until the next morning…

…when they went out to the car to leave for work…

The bear had OPENED THE CAR DOOR! He had gotten in and tore up the upholstery in the back seat and the backs of the front seats! Completely shredded! Brenda and Mike had gone to the grocery store that day and bought a roasted chicken…and the bear must have smelled that and tore the place apart!

My sister said – “You should have heard the conversation with the insurance agent.”

$7,000.00 worth of damage!! It was a new car, too!

So now when I go visit my Dad, who lives right near my sister, he keeps his shotgun handy because he hears the bear(s) in his garbage cans at night. And we see his (their) footprints and “dropping”. Yikes!

Oh, and in the summer – big, dang, ugly, mean rattlesnakes! We use .22 rifles for them!

Gosh, I sound like Ellie Mae Clampet, don’t I?

And it’s a good thing rattle snakes aren’t aggressive. Been inches away from a couple myself. Their warning rattle can sure freeze your heart for a moment or two, though !! = /

And if you ever come to Scotland, I’m not very far away – I’m in the north east of England so can be over the border in an hour or so!

2013? Well, I’ll just have to drive over to the mountains and see you guys! We’ll just have our own mini-reunion!

I always look very carefully in the woods and tall grass around here in the summer…we see snakes pretty often. Not rattlers very often but water moccasins, also harmless black snakes.

My daughter and I were about 3 feet from a mother bear and her cub in Cade’s Cove a couple of years ago. People were yelling at us, trying to alert us, but we were talking so much we didn’t realize it. But no one who was yelling used the word ‘BEAR’…I think we might have caught on to that.

And, sorry, no fishing from the boat ! I’m also interested in knowing the route it took. I remember on one trip we could see a couple bears at various points on land not far from the ship. Wonder if that would be possible via a Gaither cruise as well…

We were booked for the Gaither Alaska cruise about 4 years ago, but then had to cancel because of a family emergency. We still haven’t done it, but one of these days. So glad you and your husband had a great time.

You’re selling the whole experience very well (I can but dream)!

I have just one more to add : How long had this been booked for and how did you keep it a secret from us?!!

How did the “check-in” part of the cruise go? Did it go quickly?
Did anyone welcome you and hubby aboard? What was the food like? Did you go directly to the ship from the airport, or a hotel? Did you tell Tori you were coming? How was the music? Did your hubby like it? What was your room like? Did you have any sea sickness problems? Was it “smooth sailing”? What did Russ sing? What other artists did you enjoy, assuming Russ was number one? Which artists did you get to meet and what was your impressions? Did you get cold? Did you need a winter coat? Which port of call did you enjoy most…..and which did your husband? How many concerts were there? Was there TV on board so you could keep up with the news? Was there room service? What do you do all day long, until the concerts start? How long were the concerts? Did they tape them for a new video series? Is the concert seating first come, first serve? Did Bill have any new jokes? Were they funny? Did you meet the captain of the ship? Did you check his credentials? His “breath”? (LOL Just joking.) Were there enough life rafts in case of a Titanic-type situation? Was it all you thought it would be? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your personal experience? Would you recommend it to your friends?

Weinerwald ??

LindaB – what would you like to hear? Me Squealing? I hope not as I’m not sure I’m physically capable – maybe you can teach me at the re/union. If, on the other hand, you’re waiting for a ‘meeting in the flesh’ story, you’ll have to wait for that to actually happen first!

And, I’m enjoying hearing all your ‘meeting in the flesh’ stories.

So, when is it my turn?!

Too funny ! But one that requires being told, I’m sure = )

I looked ALL OVER FF that year (don’t remember what year) for Tori. Asked Russ about a million times and it was always: ‘She’s here somewhere’ or ‘She’s on her way’…
Usually one can see Tori fly by or catch a glimpse of her at the table. That year…not even a sighting.Told Russ I thought she had stayed behind in Nashville. By Sun. I had almost given up. Went to the reception upstairs Sun. afternoon and saw her across the room. Finally got a chance to introduce myself and there was hugging and the requisite squealing. Met Madi. And Char, very briefly. She was a busy girl.

I think it was the next year that I told Russ he needed to change his ‘medals shirt’ …but that’s another story.

Peace !

Mostly Sunny, it IS blast, isn’t it!

(Thanks, Tori!)

I think I’ve told the story of meeting Tori. (Hey- I’m a poet!) So I won’t re-tell it. But I was thinking the other day how long it’s been since I saw any of the Taff fam..and I miss having a Russ hug! Y’know, full of cologne and deep-voice laughing. (WHY is Russ always laughing when I talk to him? Now I have to think about THAT,too.)

Re-reading this I sound like I’m drunk or something…just tired. And hot.

The first time I met Tori, it was in Gatlinburg……at a Gaithernet luncheon. I was talking to my Mom and pointing out different folks I knew and I heard someone across the room say, “There’s the one I want to meet..”, and when I turned around, it was the beautiful Ms. Taff! And she was heading FOR ME! I thought I would probably squeal too when I finally met her…….but I did’t. I bawled like a baby…..for a minute! (I did have to be there for the luncheon, after all! No ugly cry! LOL ) It was just that we had shared so much of ourselves over the couple years I had known her from Gaithernet, and had prayed for each other so many times, I was just overwhelmed. It was like meeting my long lost sister. (I have a picture of our meeting that day, and it’s very dear to me! I’d post it anywhere, though. No problem. But that’s just me.) And I’m sure you felt the same way, Alyson! And you too, Delighted! And anyone else who’s met our Bloggy Princess! Tori has an incredible gift for making folks feel important to her and worth her attention. And she will provide the squealing, if you’re bashful.

Alyson, we HAVE to meet somewhere again so I can get your picture, Girl! This just ain’t right! In fact, I hope someday, before I’m using a walker, we can ALL meet somewhere——a Babybloomr retreat somewhere lovely and central to us all. SWEET SWEET! Lots of hugs, squeals, and pictures! In other words—–HEAVEN on earth! What a sweet bunch of folks here! (And jonny, we “may” leave you out of the picture taking, but not the other stuff. Don’t even ask. LOL We’ll let you work the camera. )

Your pictures are so beautiful………and cool! And the one of you and your pretty girls is a keeper!

The pictures are stunning!

And you gals are gorgeous! Have fun!!

(a lot of exclamation points right there!)

delightedabroad is on this cruise!!! I met her, and her sweet husband and it was classic:

She came up and put out her hand and shyly said, “I’m ‘delighted’…” And I grabbed her hand and shook it and said, “I’m delighted to meet you, too!”

So then she said, “Uh, no, I’m delightedabroad– but I AM delighted to meet you.”

And then we hugged it out. A lot. I think I scared her.

I know how hard the artsts’ work on a cruise but I hope he is managing to sneak in a little time with his girls. When you get home your air conditioning will feel even better to you than your bed.