> the one time i went, the ranger told us to stow our food in bear containers
> and to absolutely not leave any food in our tent or car.
>
> i looked at him flummoxed.
>
> regarding his safety precautions, i sleep "in a kitchen". one that gets
> cooked in. one that's presumably permeated by food smells, at least from the
> perspective of a bear's nose.
>
>

I laughed out loud when I read this.  I've often worried about the same
thing---the idea of separating food smells from the van does seem like an
absurd goal.  Like Mike, we've camped in bear country and never had
problems, but that's no proof that its safe...

I guess a relevant question here is what RV owners are supposed to do.
They're in the same kind of situation.  Presumably they don't clear out
their fridges and put everything in bear containers.  Presumably the bears
usually just don't try to enter the vehicles?  That's what I've told myself
in the past...