Shivers? Shakes? Nightmares? What Are You Afraid Of?

By Katherine Bone

Grizzly at the Anchorage Zoo

Thank you so much for inviting Jack and me into your blue and tranquil port, Lady Collette. We’ve been looking forward to this! 😉

Today’s subject, me hearties is fear. What are you afraid of? What do you do when you have to face the Kraken? Or in this case, the dreaded grizzly? Claim denial? Freeze? Run? Or dip into the rum?

“Fear has never stopped me, luv.”

“You’re a fine one to talk, Jack. I’ve seen you unflatteringly run pell mell from aborigines, Davy Jones, and the Royal Navy.”

“Have you ever had the black spot?” Jack pauses. “No?” Leans close, inspects his palm then produces a gold-toothed grin. “Belay that. You did see me outrun them?” Preens. “Of course you did, luv. I’m Captain Jack Sparrow.”

With or without liquid courage, you can’t outrun a grizzly. Instead, you’ve got to stand your ground, make as much noise as you possibly can, and wave your arms to stave off said beastie. 

Years ago, as a young Army wife, I heard wild tales of grizzly attacks in Alaska. The bloody yarns stuck with me. So is it any wonder when my youngest son told me he was going to be stationed in Alaska, I immediately thought, “Da bearz?” Ack! Yes, I know. I’m a pirate capable of outthinkin’, outmanueverin’ whatever comes my way — including all manner of Kraken, aka grizzlies. Well… fear or the rational respect of what causes fear has a tendency to waylay good intentions.

The answer? Face the grizzly!

In order to visit my son in Alaska, I had to do just that. Given all that I know about bear attacks, I gulped down my fair share of liquid courage and sailed to Anchorage. After all, the plus side of the trip was seeing my son, right? As long as I returned home with my pirate hat AND scalp in place, I’d be much richer for it. 😉

The only way to meet a challenge/fear is head on.

My first task? Find said grizzly. 

Black Bear to order at the Long Rifle Lodge.

On a very scenic drive through the Alaskan countryside where all manner of seasons can be experienced at once, I met my first grizzly at the Long Rifle Lodge where da bearz watch over patrons eating with an epic view of the Matanuska Glacier. (The oldest ice dates back thousands of years. The youngest? Less than 300 years old.) These bearz had been trained to help the cook, not eat the patrons, thank goodness.

My second bear experience occured while Jack was pilfering up rum as we waited on the tram to take us up to the Seven Glaciers Restaurant in Alyuska. (Sorry, Jack. Me and this friendly grizzly got a bit cozy while you were gone.)

Getting cozy with a grizzly waiting to go to the Seven Glacier Restaurant.

Goldilocks at the Grizzly Bear Hotel.

A 400 lb. Grizzly foraging for food in the wild.

Goldilocks needed a place to sleep and I’m no different. On a trip up to Denali National Park, we found refuge from the ever-changing weather at the Denali Grizzly Bear Hotel with rooms overlooking a rapid flowing river where temps got down to 37 degrees! Yikes, it’s only August!

My fourth grizzly encounter was a 400 lb. hungry bear foraging for food in Denali National Park, home of the highest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley. Known to locals as Denali, meaning “the high one”, the park is home to 169 species of birds, 39 species of mammals —moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and da bearz— along with more than 1,500 species of plants. Mount McKinley’s snow-capped peaks can be seen more than 60 miles away towering over the Alaska Range at 20,320 feet on a clear day. Sadly, Denali is only visible about 63 days of the year. The rest of the time, it’s shrouded in cloud cover. Unfortunately, weather conditions didn’t favor us seeing it this time. (I was very happy to be safely hidden in a bus during this bear sighting however!)

And for my last trick and hopefully not my final act — as I write this, I have yet to experience this event — I’ll be salmon fishing off of Seward, getting up close views of grizzlies feasting on da fish. Huzzah!!!

Visiring my son + facing the grizzlies/fears = priceless life experience!

Alaska is one of the last frontiers on earth that still exhibits a natural wildness untouched by time and the people living there are content for things to stay that way. I’ve never witnessed such majesty: fall colors, rain, snow, and sunshine in one epic landscape. Nor have I ever gained more personal strength in the viewing. If you want to or plan to visit Alaska, I highly recommend this time of year. EPIC!!!

Stretch your boundaries. Embrace your fears. Use what fuels you to make you stronger, better, bigger, and louder.

Thanks again for allowing me to share my travels/grizzly hunt, Lady Collette! 

Blessings to all!

Katherine

Bestselling Historical Romance Author Katherine Bone has been passionate about history since she had the opportunity to travel to various Army bases, castles, battlegrounds, and cathedrals as an Army brat turned Officer’s Wife. Now she lives in the south where she writes about Rogues, Rebels and Rakes, aka Pirates, Lords, Captains, Duty, Honor, and Country and the happily ever afters every alpha male and damsel deserve.

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Katherine is offering a giveaway too!  Just answer this question: “What are you afraid of?