Addendum...

So about 15 minutes after I posted that last entry, I was revisited by my bear-friend! I'd seen an article in the paper that they were starting to wake up. I heard some movement on the porch upstairs but didn't think much of it (moose have wandered onto the porch every so often), but then I heard a loud crash. After checking my downstairs porch to make sure there was nothing on it, I carefully went outside. I can peer up onto the deck upstairs without getting near it, and I saw the bear.

I went back to my door, keeping it open so I could get inside if necessary. I pounded on the wall to make a lot of noise, and then watched as the bear galumped off the porch and headed up the driveway. I went upstairs, still being careful (since they're in pairs sometimes). It had knocked over the chairs that are on the deck upstairs, as well as tipping over the bear-resistant garbage can (which did its job very well). That was the loud crash.

Thankfully, it didn't look like he'd really gotten into anything, just trying to find food after waking up from his hibernation. I wonder if he'll come back again... I think I shall call him Bobby Bear. :)