Behind the Scenes

By the time we were back in Durango, CO, Adventure Bear was completely confident in Jay’s construction of the campsite. Unfortunately there was still more work to be done.

Imagine his dismay when he learned that the Contract Clause regarding “Fun Facts” required him to work his way all the way back to Austin – including assisting Carrie with preparation for Summer School.

In 2017, Carrie’s Teva sandals gave out in Duluth, MN. This year, just steps from the parking lot where the Versa resided at the Paradise Visitor Center at Mt. Rainier, her hiking boots gave way. Fortunately her Dad glued them all back together during their visit! (Not pictured: repaired shoes. Trust us: They look great!)

Jay and Adventure Bear enjoy some quiet time looking over the river in Bend, OR. The life of a Bear on the road can be taxing, and A.B. likes his downtime with his People.

A.B. (or possibly his Agent) was really fascinated by the carving of the carousel animals, plus the inclusion of some antiques at the museum. (Note: The member of the carousel family who donated the mechanics of the carousel and many of the antique figures was from Port Townsend, WA! Hello Chamber – call us!)

Yay Shelby! Adventure Bear loves to spend time with his People!

The photo shoot on the ferry to Seattle was a little harrowing for Adventure Bear. While his Agent kept a tight hold on his furry little hindquarters during all the “edge of the boat” shots, A.B. was nonetheless concerned about the relative lack of safety features for bears.

At the Port Townsend public library, the animals are depicted as living together in peace and harmony.

It is pretty easy for Adventure Bear to get into a meditative state at Plum Cottage.

It’s not all fun and games for a bear on the move. Pictured here: Adventure Bear does his part in the laundry operations. Not pictured: Agent who failed to eliminate laundry responsibilities from the Contract. Perhaps she is job hunting…

By the time we got to Olympic, A.B. was feeling more confident about Jay’s ability to set up camp. Pictured here: Adventure Bear peruses the park map. He’s heard there are salmon about!

Turns out salmon are not so easy to catch. The good news is that the lodge near the campground has a nice cheese plate…

Astoria, OR is on the way from Portland to the West Coast of Olympic National Park. We stopped for lunch and before anyone knew what was happening…Adventure Bear had found another bookstore!

It seems clear who is on patrol in this house…Adventure Bear keeps a respectful distance from his gracious host.

Adventure Bear in his trailer, faithful Agent by his side, waiting for the photo shoot at Wahkeena Falls.

Adventure Bear loves Toll Bridge Park camping! Quiet, secluded, clean bathrooms (including showers!) – what more could a bear want? Well maybe a slightly more secure shelter stake… A.B. is always double checking for camping safety.

Nothing says “comfort” like your own bunk in the tent. A.B. enjoys a well-deserved nap after supervising the camping set up.

Pictured below: Adventure Bear waits patiently for his photo shoot outside the Hood River library.

A.B. ponders the next steps on his journey. Perhaps he is wondering, how did we wind up in Boise, ID?? Check the map little bear; there aren’t too many alternate routes.

A nice walk, a little dinner, and it turns out Boise, ID is a lovely place for a visit. (Plus they have that nice state capitol building.)

Adventure Bear and Aunt Carrie provide a little childcare for the newest of the Great Nieces. Weddings are fun, but can be tiring :).

There was no need to delay arriving in Park City, UT (home of an actual bed and above freezing temperatures) in order to visit Arches National Park. In addition to the fact that you can just see interesting rock formations pretty much along the roadside around here, Adventure Bear went to Arches National Park years ago with Carrie’s parents. Pictured below is a scene from the Summer of 2016.

A funny story about the photo of A.B. in the tulips in Park City…a shot like that requires several takes (we don’t bore you with all of them). By the time Jay had the photo he wanted, a man had come out from the house across the street to say “Hey, don’t you want a picture with my ski fence?” He pretended not to recognize Adventure Bear, but we all know how difficult it is not to react to a celebrity in your neighborhood. This ambassador from Park City almost insisted his fence be featured, so we obliged (except for Carrie, who refused, apparently only one of two people ever to resist his request).

It is not as if she refuses all requests. When Adventure Bear asks, she sometimes plays along. Pictured below: Carrie with Bear and A.B. in Yellowstone National Park in 2016.

The below photo was obviously intended as a “Behind the Scenes” shot. Something along the lines of “Adventure Bear does not have to help set up camp; it’s not in his contract. All Carrie can get him to do is supervise for quality control. Pictured here.”

Jay hijacked the photo for the main post; A.B. and his Agent have decided to take this as a compliment rather than filing suit.

Contract negotiations often include discussions about Adventure Bear’s accommodations (see here, pictured in his “trailer”).

As a practical matter though, Adventure Bear is the first to admit that he gets a decent night’s sleep more often than not. (He doesn’t admit that until the new contract is signed though.) Pictured below: resting up before a rigorous photo shoot in Lubbock and throughout West Texas.

Adventure Bear doesn’t have to help pack (it says so in his contract), but he certainly doesn’t want to be left behind.

It isn’t always easy for a small bear to balance on a big carnival ride. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk first came to our attention through a documentary by Rick Sebak, Great Old Amusement Parks.

Adventure Bear does all his own stunts of course.