Yellowstone and the "no show" bears

This past July (2008) my family spent 5 or so days in the Idaho/Yellowstone area. It was beautiful and expansive. We stayed in a wonderful, charismatic rental cabin in the Island Park area, which is just 20 minutes or so from the West Entrance of Yellowstone. The cabin was a perfect abode for our family, as camping is a favorite, although elusive, hobby for each of us. The setting was as camping as you can get, except with beds, a kitchen and an 8 person hot tub on the back patio. It was an "A-Frame" style, fully furnished, and picture perfect cabin, and we often wondered if we should go see the local sights, or just stay and enjoy each other's company in that perfect setting. But, we did go play during the day, and then made a campfire in the back yard amongst the woods (and bears?) in the evening. We would usually end the day with a late-night dip in the hot tub before going to bed. Paradise.

We spent two of the days inside Yellowstone National Park, and we loved it there. The only 2 things the kids complained about was the long driving inside the park, and the non-existence of the famous "bears." We looked and looked and never saw a bear. We saw buffalo, deer, elk, eagles, and other small animals, but never a bear. One of the other days we just walked around the town of West Yellowstone and had fun. We even saw "Oklahoma!" the musical performed at the Playmill Theater.