Bear Run VIRGINS

It’s that time of year again – Texas Bear Roundup, sponsored by the Dallas Bears. I have one friend from out-of-town who is attending with a group of friends, all of whom are virgins to bear runs. I’ve asked them to recap their experience afterwards. I want to hear that they have to say.

I’m no bear run junkie, but I have been to a few – Bear Pride in Chicago, Bears on Liberty in Philadelphia, Bear Bust in Orlando, BearWatch in Galveston, and yes, TBRU – in 2004. Other than BearWatch, I’ve not been to any other bear runs in the past four years. Regarding TBRU, though,  I’ve heard various opinions about the ‘quality’ and ‘value’ of this event – some good, some not-so-good. As we’ve come to learn on the BearWatch committee, it is impossible to please everyone, and you’ll always have nay-sayers in every similar event. I’ve deliberately chosen not to attend TBRU this year primarily because I have no interest in such events anymore. “But BigHoustonBear- how can you say that, when you are a co-chair on the BearWatch committee?” Easy – I’ve been to BearWatch as a non-member of Houston Area Bears, as a member, and now as a Board Member of HAB. I recognized just how much work goes into such an event, and wanted to give something back to this organization by actually working the event, rather than just attending (and trust me, it is WORK!).  I’ve had to remind my on-line friends who say “Wow – sure hope to see you at BearWatch! *WINK WINK*”. that there will be very little “play” time for me – and I am perfectly OK with that. I’ve had my fun; now it’s time to help make it fun for others.

I’m very anxious to know what my Bear-Run-Virgin friends think of their experience at TBRU – I promise to give you an update when they return.