We enjoyed most of the trip, but started to burn out at the end. We have been lucky - my job allowed for entire summers off every 4-5 years, so long trips have been the norm. Now that I have retired, we don't have any time constraints.
As to bears & other animals - Common sense works here. Don't cook, snack, or store food in your tent, and keep a clean campsite. If bear boxes are available for storing food, use them rather than storing food in your car. Don't feed the animals, no matter how cute they look. As to hiking with bears, for advise, listen to this weeks Car Talk's Tom and Ray Magliozzi opening. (Just Kidding!)