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'Town bear' startles hotel guests in Tennessee tourist spot

Posted at 12:44 PM, Mar 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-21 14:58:29-04

A Middle Tennessee woman visiting Gatlinburg with her family got quite a surprise when she found a bear outside their hotel.  

Kim Vastola, of Watertown was in Gatlinburg for her son’s baseball tournament and was staying on the first floor of a Quality Inn.

Vastola was startled when she heard people yelling about a bear. She went outside and captured video of the bear on a tree behind the hotel before he made his way around the building.  

Vastola said the person at the front desk told her the "town bear" – named Robert – was lurking around but there was no need to be alarmed.

Apparently, “Robert” lives in the area and roams when he comes out of hibernation. No one was hurt.