Bearly there....

For the past nine or so years I have resided here in Western NY. I lovingly call it the Tundra. But seriously folks, I love it here. I have lived all over NY state and spent the better part of a decade in Georgia. I love Georgia too. But thats another blog.....one thats coming soon.

I have blogged about this on myspace before, but its a first for Blogger. Arkport has about 800 or so residents in the Village, where I live. I don't know how many more folks live out in the hills but Im sure theres a lot more..... We have a P.O. , grocery store, a new Florist, Insurance Agency, gas station, feed store, gun shop, hair salon, and two family restaurants. ( One can fit in my kitchen, and my kitchen is waaaay bigger.) And a bank too. My kids walk to school. We have a lovely park, and the kids also play at the school playground.

If you take a left outta my street and head up Oak Hill a mile or so, you come upon Reddy Hollow. It is as rural and beautiful a wooded seasonal road as it gets. Our family has been blessed to enjoy this area on snowmobile, four wheeler and, yes, quite often, in the Jeep aka Family Truckster. In the winter, theres nothing like it. You cant drive it. It must be done on snowmobile or cross country skis. It looks like a Currier & Ives Print. Snow covers all the trees like an old covered bridge for most of the trek. Its so quiet and peaceful out there.
Its also gorgeous this time of year. Everything is greening and coming back to life after the very, very long winter. So last night, Tom and I loaded up the kids at dusk to head up Reddy Hollow to see if we couldnt spot some Bears. We took our time, enjoying the sights and checking everything out. No signs of Bears.

We rolled back into the Village a bit after 8:30. We noticed a Trooper, Stan, and a bunch of our neighbors over behind Chads home. Tom goes to see whats going on. I notice some lights up and down the Hill by the cemetary and Mahaneys land. The boys were with their Dad running around looking for the bear and getting the story.

Im holding Sophia in my arms at this point when I look behind me and see a Bear cross Oak Hill Street and head towards our neighbors house. Sophie and I headed for the Jeep again and stood next to it. We sat there for a few minutes watching that bear play in our neighbors back yard. While all the men were our running trying to find the bear, we sat back and watched it. After a minute she realized how BIG the bear was and said, "I want my Daddy!"

Now, mind you this isnt the first time we went bear watching and kicked a bear into town. It happened the last time we did it too. I am coming to think my husband is in tuned with the Black Bears in our area. It was a sight to see, that enormous Bear bounding around Caitlyn and Hannahs swingset. I am looking out there now wondering where it is.

The bear wandered out of our sight and we didnt see it again last night. I hope its doing well today. My daughter and I were at home last May when Tom called me to tell me the school was on lockdown. I could feel my blood run cold. Why? Whats going on? Visions of Columbine start to play in my head..... His response, " There's a bear running the track."

Sophie and I jumped in the VW (:( ) and headed down just in time to see it take off up the hill by Lisman Lane. Me and my daughter have seen lots of bears together in this town. We don't have much in the way or entertainment or shopping, or even places to eat. But theres a certain charm to Arkport, or Mayberry, as I call it. If the schools on lockdown for a bear running the track, I'll take it. I can even take the extra cops around, if its for the bears. At least this time, it didnt kill my peonies.

And if you need any info on Bears, Come see me at the Library. I ordered a copy of the DECs Living with NY State Black Bears last year. You can take it home and view it. It might be good for the kids to watch.