ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Growing up in North Carolina, it was normal to see raccoons and other wildlife visit my family's backyard that bordered a dense treeline. But we were never visited by anything quite as large — or as cute — as this.

A black bear was spotted playing in the backyard of a family home set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The family watched from safety indoors as the bear tried to play on a swing the father had set up a few days prior, rolled underneath the trampoline and even played with a toy dump truck.

"This is proof bears are just big kids," said the parent recording the scene.

After spying on the bear for some time, it seems one member of the family decided to break out an old Halloween costume. Dressed in a rather convincing brown bear suit, they walked into the backyard where the bear was still playing on the swing. Whether it was the strange sight of a humanoid bear-man walking on its hind legs or the fear of a much larger grizzly approaching, the black bear bolted into the woods without a second glance.

Black bears aren't known for being confrontational unless food or other animals are involved. According to the National Park Service, if a dog gets into an encounter with a bear, they have a 50% chance of being injured or killed. Luckily, this family's pet was kept safely inside while the bear played in their yard.

While I would never hope to find such a potentially dangerous but cuddly looking creature in my suburban backyard here in Utah, I can't help but miss the Carolinas when watching this quirky bear have his fun. Country roads, take me home ...

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