Climbing Cubs: The Day I Almost Got Mauled (But Not Really)

It was one of those serene mornings in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—the kind where the fog hangs low, the air smells like pine needles and possibility, and you start to believe nature might just be your best friend. I was at Oswald Bear Ranch, camera in hand, hoping to capture something special for my puzzle line. I didn’t expect to stumble into a scene that looked like it was straight out of a Disney movie… or a bear survival guide.