California Grizzly Bears at Lopez Station

The California Grizzly Bear has been extinct since about 1916. They were exterminated, they were very dangerous to humans as well as cattle and sheep. I've read that the Kodiak Bear is the closet to the size and ferocity of the CA Grizzly. With the pictures I've included, you can see how huge these creatures were. There were a lot of them all over the state when the Spanish first came in 1769.
Of course, Cristina Sergi's music is in the background backing up my narration!! :-) Thank-You very much Cristina!!
• "A sweet melancholy da...
One interesting story during the building of San Gabriel Mission from JJ says "One of grandfather's, Claudio, relatives lived in a mud-plastered hut while the permanent buildings were being constructed. He had a wife, a 2 year old child and 2 Indian women house servants. One day, the wife saw the 2 Indian women huddled in a dark corner of the hut, and the child nowhere in sight. She stepped outside the door to look for the child, and almost fell dead with fright. At the edge of the clearing, about 50 yards away, the child and an immense Grizzly bear were romping and playing together as though they belonged to the same family.
The bear would run around in circles, into the brush and out again, passing within a few feet of the child each time and the child would run after it, laughing at the top of its voice. i never knew the mother of this child, but my mother did, and she told me that the mother got behind the door, peeked through a the crack, and watched the whole performance, which lasted for about a half hour. Finally the bear disappeared in the brush and the child came to the house.
The mother and father blamed the Indian women for allowing the child out of their sight, and for not scaring the bear away and recovering the child. One of the priests helped in settling the trouble. The Indian women told him that really it was not a bear at all, but an uncle of theirs that had been playing with the child. Undoubtedly, one of these women had an uncle who was a medicine man, or Bear Doctor, and who claimed to be playing bear some of the time. The Indian women probably thought it was he playing with the child. This would not have eased their fear a bit, as the Indians were more afraid of a Bear Doctor then they were of a bear."
There are lots and lots of CA Grizzly bear stories, but I'm keeping my story around the local Lopez Station. This one showed the belief or superstition of the local Native Americans. Thank-You for watching and I hope you enjoy this chapter!!

[@lara8550able]

Fantastic, dear David. Have a blessed time!!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Lara from Cristina and !! Cheers!

[@4cryingoutloud604]

Like 65. Awesome story! It is fascinating how the indians feared bears more than they did the Spanish people. Also, I didn't know that grizzly bears were extinct in California. That is especially fascinating! Cool music by your friend Cristina, too - friend!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Sad from Cristina and I! Yes, the CA Grizzly bear is extinct, they want to re-introduce the grizzly bear, but it's not the same species. I'm quite fascinated with the early history of So Cal! Enjoy your evening! 🙂

[@ErnestKwokguitarist]

Hi David, very interesting story! Amazing pics too! Thanks for sharing, I wish you a wonderful weekend 😊

[@Dave49erman]

Thanks again Ernest!! Cheers!

[@CristinaS]

Hi Dave, a very interesting and nice story enriched by beautiful images, which you described in an exciting way. Thank you once again for using my music, dear friend, I'm always honored! I wish you a lovely week and send you big hugs, Cristina

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Cristina! Your music always makes my videos much better!! BIG HUGS to you from El Pencilero!! 🙂

[@CristinaS]

Many thanks to you, Dave, it's always a great pleasure for me to be part in your beautiful videos! I wish you a lovely week and send you big hugs, Cristina

[@jardindedom-mage]

👍🏼Très bonne lecture, image et musique, bonne santé amicalement dom au sud du Portugal bienvenue aussi ☮️😘

[@Dave49erman]

@@jardindedom-mage Thank-You very much from Cristina and I! Nice to meet you! 🙂

[@LorraineAshby]

What an incredible story about the grizzly bears of California!!! Can’t believe Juan took in the bears with only a long knife!!! Brilliant narration and fabulous pictures of the bears, wolves and coyotes!!! Thank you for another exciting upload dear David!!!! Cristina’s wonderful piano music adds atmosphere here!!! Well done my friends!!! Best wishes, Lorraine 👍👍👍👏🏻👏🏻

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Lorraine, from Cristina and I!! JJ has some amazing stories, a lot of things happened in my neighborhood in early CA! 🙂 Imagine going after a bear with a knife...of any size! WHEW! CHEERS!

[@ErnestKwokguitarist]

Good morning, David! Enjoying your story again….thanks and happy weekend 😊

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Ernest!! The next chapter is more research than I expected, it is in progress! 🙂

[@ActNaturally]

Good images and video David, liked the bear skin!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You Mark!! Must've been quite a neighborhood back then!! Cheers!

[@MarcoIsidori]

Hi David, it is no coincidence that today is the world day dedicated to white bears. I didn't know the history and presence of Grizzly bears in California in the last century and the boy's story is incredible. The photos you showed with these people and the large plantigrade are beautiful. Have a good start to the week.

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Marco from Cristina and I!! There's talk about bringing the Grizzly Bear back to California, but it wouldn't be the same species. Lots of interesting things in the past centuries!! Enjoy our evening!! Cheers!

[@mbewill]

Wow! David, this is a wonderful video about the grizzly bears. I love he old photos. Thanks for sharing.

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You Betty! The pics really help the story eh? Have a groovy day!

[@ActNaturally]

Awesome upload, have a good night David!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You Mark! Enjoy your night!

[@Tramp963]

Great upload, great story about grizzly bears!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much John from Cristina and I!! Cheers!!

[@JulchensWelt]

great story many thanks dear Dave wish you a good rest of the week and all the best warm greetings Petra

[@LJG907]

Very superstitious people. Coyotes/wolves out there spook me! An interesting story, Dave. Thanks so much for sharing. Greetings!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Laura from Cristina and I!! Yes, the local Native Americans were very suspicious, the shamans had control over them! Enjoy your day!

[@jardin-du-696]

💗❤ 💕B 💖 R♥A 💗 V❤O 💕 💖 ♥ Nice sharing !! I wish you a very good day

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Christine from Cristina and I!! I hope you have a good day too!! 🙂

[@jardin-du-696]

🙏@@Dave49erman 🙏

[@vites7295]

Well done interesting presentation and amazing old pictures!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! I'm glad you enjoyed it!! Cheers!

[@ActNaturally]

Amazing! Good close ups of the bears!

[@Dave49erman]

Thanks Mark! Enjoy your evening! 🙂

[@mariojsworld]

Interesting grizzly bear-themed presentation.

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Mario from Cristina and I!! 🙂

[@OlivierBillaut]

A real pleasure to watch!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Olivier from Cristina and I! I'm glad you enjoy some of my local history.! 🙂

[@1HarryH]

Beautiful story, nice presentation. Thank you my dear friend 👏 Have a happy May Day 🕊🕊

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! Glad you enjoyed some of my local history! CHEERS!

[@GNTRR]

Thanks for your sharing this nice video!! Have a nice day, dear David!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Aisoke from Cristina and I!! Enjoy your day! 🙂

[@mariannevedral496]

Very intetesting! Great Photos👍

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Marianne from Cristina and I!! Our local history can be amazing!! 🙂

[@VictoriaEncocina]

Hola amigo me encanto escuchar la historia gracias por compartir saludos feliz inicio de semana 👍🏻😍

[@VictoriaEncocina]

Lindo los osos ❤️

[@ClassRoutinesRENEEsFunClips]

wow what fantastic accounts with bears, great video David ,,,,,,,,,,,greetings Renee

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Renee from Cristina and I!! Enjoy your day!

[@happyandphilosophyjoycat]

SO sweet story, like it.

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! 🙂

[@Bleshm]

Interesting story thanks for sharing

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! Enjoy your day!

[@ActNaturally]

Healthy looking bears, Great to see, thanks!

[@Dave49erman]

Thanks Mark! Crazy times eh? Enjoy your day!

[@IamHelenKeller]

Thanks for the interesting video.Bears can get really big. Some people think bears are cute and they get too close to them at the state parks. But I always keep a good distance away from them...because they're wild animals and you can't predict what they may do. Anyway, thanks for the fascinating photos and narrative. 🦋🌷🥀🦋

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! Yeah, bears are cute and look cuddly, but they have teeth and claws and eat meat!! I'm glad you enjoy my local history! 🙂

[@JUANORQUIO]

WoW! That’s Awesome! Have a great weekend!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Juan from Cristina and I!! Cheers!

[@WorkoutWC]

Good images and video🥰

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! Enjoy your day!

[@allergyboys1817]

nice video Dave

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Kazu from Cristina and !!! Cheers!

[@rorybartolomei7888]

The flag of California is of a grizzly bear.California is their home.Bring them back.

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Rory from Cristina and I! Enjoy your day!

[@youngboy6808]

They are bring them back in the future

[@georgeskinner4153]

This guy certainly had a lot of courage. My understanding of grizzly bears is that they are one of the few animals that will hunt humans. I remember "Grizzly Adams" on TV. I think it was the bear's immense size that gave it the respect it deserved. Juan must have been like a "David" when he confronted the "Goliath". (Biblical reference intended.) Always enjoy your historical perspective David. Thanks

[@Dave49erman]

Yeah, Juan was very brave eh? I used to watch Grizzly Adams as well! The real Grizzly Adams was also pretty amazing! Thank-You very much Cousin George!! 🙂

[@walastikdingruth]

Grizzly Bears are really scary and dangerous!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! Yes, they are, I wouldn't want to meet one!! Cheers!

[@daily-traveler]

멋진 장소군요. 역사의 현장입니다 .3:42

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! 🙂

[@WhereToNextDad]

Hello my fiend big like!!!

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much from Cristina and I!! Cheers!

[@dustinrogers5384]

Its a cool fairy tale though.

[@FranciscaRigaud]

You have been very busy while I was away, Dave....................... I am always fascinated to listen to your stories and watch your videos. England is not as exciting, I can tell you that...................... you seem to live in a Far West movie. Here life is more boring, hahahaha.... The only bears live in shops and are for children.

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Francisca from Cristina and I!! I've always been fascinated by America's Wild West, cowboys, gunfighters etc. Especially CA! Last year, I put a bunch of my music out, but I'm also always working on various stories. This Lopez Station was very close to where I live, eventually I'll have 2 or 3 generations of the Lopez family. It may lead to a book, or a dvd of chapters. I hurt my wrist and haven't been able to practice guitar so much, but it's getting better. Good luck with all you're doing! Yes, were older, but we can still accomplish a lot. I've been retired for almost a year, and am loving it. Enjoy your weekend my dear friend!! 🙂

[@FranciscaRigaud]

@@Dave49erman Steven Spielberg should hire you, my friend! I have been a pensioner for almost a year too.... And yes, please do write a book, these memories need to be preserved! Especially because you know it all from the source!

[@Dave49erman]

@@FranciscaRigaud Thank-You very much Francisca! I'm researching JJ's parents now, Jeronimo and Catalina...then I realized it's been a month since I did a video. I have tune's in progress, but not finished enough, so my MUSE tells me to dust off 1 of my other stories and post that. This one's another looooong one. I'll do it in 5 minute +/- increments. Everytime i do this, it involves another re-write!! 🙂 I hope you're having a LOVELY week!

[@FranciscaRigaud]

@@Dave49erman That is so interesting... I was just watching a TV show about the ancestors of Sharon Osborne, married to Ozzie, maybe you have heard of them... she had no idea that her ancestors had immigrated from Ireland to the USA, where she has now lived for many years and learned a lot about them, fascinating. Oh yes, if people only knew all the work we put into all this...... I am here just "killing" a bit of time before going out in the not very nice weather and performing! Take care, my friend!

[@Dave49erman]

@@FranciscaRigaud Hi My Dear Friend, No I don't know anything about Sharon, except how she helped Ozzy after Black Sabbath, and her dad was also a band manager. I did listen to an audiobook about his life. My background is Irish and England, both grandmothers are from England. I started another story a while back and am re-writing it now for YT. I'm stuck in research with my Lopez Station series. Too many stories and songs, not enough time, even tho I'm retired. It seems like the days go so fast. But so long as I get something done everyday, I'm in my HAPPY PLACE! Enjoy your evening!

[@BekaaRi]

Hello to you, I have just discovered your channel with happiness and I really appreciate the content my dear new friend.!!.. 🔥 👏🏻 Thank you for this pleasant quality sharing!!! I had a great time with you!! 🎸 🎶 ✨ *Waiting to meet you next time with great pleasure on our respective channels....* 💚 I wish you the best my good friend!! .✨ 💯 Maybe one day we will participate in a joint artistic project.... Know that it will be a great pleasure for me and I hope it will be the same for you.!!. 💟 Let us always remain united and connected in this passing time!.👼 *See you soon, I hope..! Take care of yourself!!* 💜 I wish you a good day ahead 🙏 Affectionately and musically! !! 👌 Your new and future faithful friend..!!🤩 Bekaa

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Bekka, from Cristina and I!! I'm glad you enjoyed some of my local history! Enjoy your weekend!

[@BekaaRi]

@@Dave49erman It was a pleasure to listen to my friend!!! Thank you for sharing it with us!!! Looking forward to meeting again one day soon, Bekaa

[@Dave49erman]

@@BekaaRi It was my pleasure as well Bekka! Enjoy your day!

[@BekaaRi]

@@Dave49erman Thank you my dear friend for the generosity of your sharing!!! See you soon on our respective channels, I wish you the best and a pleasant weekend ahead... Bekaa

[@Dave49erman]

@@BekaaRi Thanks again Bekka! Cheers!

[@zindoliveira]

🫒🌟Fascinante 🫒🌟🔷️

[@Dave49erman]

Thank-You very much Zindoliveria from Cristina and I!! Cheers!