Bearing Witness: Reviving the Legend of the Highway Bear (April 29, 2019)

April 29, 2019, remains a standout in my storytelling repertoire. For anyone familiar with highway 69, the legend of the highway bear, positioned south of Kansas City, is an indelible part of the landscape. It had long been a dream of mine to delve into its story, and fate smiled upon me when I stumbled upon news of its restoration on Facebook.

My colleague, Ariel Rothfield, bore the brunt of my enthusiasm for a captivating narrative. I'm sure she grew weary of my incessant chatter about it. However, the moment I caught wind of the plans to restore the bear, I seized the opportunity to bring its tale to life.

Looking back, I can't help but feel immense satisfaction with how the story unfolded. The journey from conception to completion was filled with anticipation and joy. And now, whenever my family and I pass by the highway bear, we're reminded of the shared connection we have with this beloved landmark—a connection that transcends time and distance.