Bear Turned Away at Prominent Spa

(Ouray, Colorado–Bruin Beat–November 16, 2015)

The Wiesbaden Spa is in hot water today after turning away a mother Black Bear and two cubs that had traveled an estimated ten miles on foot to soak in the luxurious hot springs and break into the trash dumpsters. Many animal rights people as well as local authorities are still steaming over the incident.

According to front desk personnel the bears arrived at around dusk to the delight of patrons thrilled to see these monsters up close. After bee lining it to the trash dumpsters (They’d visited before) they wandered to a side door and pushed it open.

“They were nice enough. But they didn’t have any money. They didn’t have towels. They didn’t even have swimming apparel,” said Dianne Workman, of the spa. “However they weren’t smokers, so I figured I’d let them use the outdoor pool for an hour. Then, as I shoed a cub away from the granola bars, the mother got testy, and I decided to throw them out.”

Not real happy. Mother bear (pictured above) and two cubs (across the street up in an apple tree at time of photo) were booted out of the Wiesbaden lobby Sunday after attempting to schmooze their way into the vapor cave and pool.

That proved to be a bigger feat than one might think. The cubs started wailing and the mother moved toward the vapor cave, intent on having her way. Then, as if on cue, the three retired to the dumpster which they began rocking back and forth with synchronized alacrity. Workman, not one to create further chaos, called the police who apprehended the animals without a net.

“We hate to be restrictive where guests are concerned,” said Linda Mentor, owner of the Wiesbaden, “but if we let one bear family in we’d have to let them all in.” – Melvin O’Toole