A few days ago Ed and I were zooming across Florida on our way to Alabama. “I’ve never seen a bear here, even with all these ‘Bear Crossing’ signs,” I complained.
An hour later, just north of Perry, a large black awkward looking dog
(?) lumbered at a pretty fast clip across US 19 about 50 yards in front
of our approaching van. “That was a bear!” I shouted happily. I peered
carefully into the woods where he’d disappeared. Not a sign. Ed had
seen him too, and I was in animal spotting heaven for at least 15
minutes.
At our next rest stop I met a friendly trucker and told him about our sighting.
“Yep, well I was just on Alligator Alley on my way to Miami and I
spotted something I thought was a bear and it turned out to be a
panther.” He stubbed out his cigarette.
My bear spotting could’ve felt a little measly after that, but instead
I collected his story as well. I popped back in the van, sat back
against the head rest and thought about bears and panthers still
roaming my state.