Neighborhoods have personalities. Some aren’t especially significant, but others are quite dramatic. One of the latter exists on the edge of Deer Valley ski area, here in Utah.
All of the houses in this neighborhood face a ski trail, which means thousands of skiers pass by. Long ago, one of the homeowners hired Jonathan Bearman to carve bears out of logs, to decorate the outside of their home. Then another hired Bearman. And another. And another.
This house has dozens of bears. There is one hot tub for people, and one for bears:
The overall effect is magical. It’s like you suddenly stumbled into Disneyland, except there is no giant corporation involved. It’s just people—and one talented artist—having fun.
Just in front of the bears’ hot tub, there’s a tree (a real tree). In it, a person is halfway up, with his pants split and one boot missing. Just a bit lower down the tree, there’s a bear. With a boot.
Four months ago, when I set out to “seek awe” and write about my quest, I had no inkling that war would break out in Europe, that supply disruptions would get worse or that __________ {fill in the crisis of your choice} would happen. Too often, we are at each others’ throats.
Neighborhoods like this one give me hope. They demonstrate that sometimes people can be silly, creative and cooperative. They can laugh and smile together. They can create a bit of awe where none previously existed. If you don’t believe me, then come to Deer Valley and stand in front of this house for an hour as one jar drops after another.
Absolutely love it, Bruce. Your post and the whole concept brought a huge smile to my face and, more importantly, to my heart. Thank you.
Made my day or week or…! Thanks for sharing