Recently, we spent some time up in northern MN. I went camping with my brothers at Jay Cooke State Park, and afterward caught up with my family in Hibbing.
The day before we left for Hibbing for home, Grandpa Matt, Grandma Kathy, Elizabeth and I traveled to Orr to the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary (americanbear.org). It works like this: on this private acreage next to Voyageurs National Park and Pelican Lake, a bus drops you off from the parking lot. You exit onto a viewing deck with guides available to answer questions. Each evening, the staff places food out to attract the bears in.
Everyone enjoyed seeing the wild bears eat and interact, but from a safe perch! And Elizabeth even walked away with a black bear from the gift shop. She quickly named it C-Bear, the nickname of her 7-month old cousin Carly Senich. Speaking of cubs, there were 3 in a tree when we arrived. Apparently a sow bear will "tree" her cubs while she feeds. Sam and I might look into that technique...
