Page 57 - Breath of the Bear

Travel comfortably by boat from Homer to see Lake Clark Bears Up Close!

Experience our fully guided Alaska
Bear Viewing Tours into the pristine
wilderness of Lake Clark National Park
at Chinitna Bay, where you’ll see Alaska
brown bears up close and undisturbed in
their natural habitat. Take a walk on the
wild side with our guides as they lead you
along easy walking trails into one of the
most stunningly beautiful places on earth.
Chinitna Bay is surrounded by
panoramic views of the “Ring of Fire”
chain of volcanoes that tower all around
our bear-viewing destination. Watch
brown bears feeding on marsh grasses
and salmon, playing, mating and engaging
in all the other antics bears are known for.
On average we see anywhere from 12-40
bears on every tour. Wolves, moose, fox,
coyotes and dozens of different species
of shore birds are also commonly seen
onshore.
Unlike bear viewing fly-in excursions,
your adventure with Alaska Bear Viewing orca, minke, gray and humpback whales, 4th generation Alaskan. His decades of
Tours begins with a 2-hour trip across porpoises, sea otters and a host of marine experience and personalized customer
beautiful Cook Inlet in our fast, fully birds. service make all the difference for our
enclosed and comfortable boat, when In the guiding business for a quarter happy customers. Excellent, affordable
you will have the opportunity to view of a century, owner Mike Patterson is a fishing tour packages are also offered.

Women Can Travel Solo to Alaska Safely and Have the Time of Their Lives!
by Theresa Bielawski
I never planned to vacation alone, especially ascended from Naknek Lake that day, I knew I
in Alaska. I have a job in sales that takes me to must return to the ursine wonderland in Katmai ziplining in Talkeetna, bus tours in Denali National
different places, for which I have traveled alone for National Park. Once back in the lower forty-eight, Park, northern lights viewing in Chena, float plane
years. Vacationing alone, especially to Alaska, is a I contacted a couple of my outdoor enthusiast trips, camping at McNeil State Game Sanctuary,
whole different story. I was informed in late 2012 friends who agreed to go to Katmai with me the polar bear viewing in Kaktovik, small cruises from
that Alaska would be added to my market for my following summer. Seward, and touring McCarthy & Kennecott in
job. I was excited, as I had always wanted to visit January of 2014 rolled around and I was able to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Alaska, but also a bit anxious about going to such secure a campsite at Brooks Camp for four nights. It can be advantageous to travel alone, as
a remote place for work, by myself. Around April, it was required to schedule and pay you may be able to snag an available single seat
My first trip in April, 2013 took me to Juneau for flights to and from Brooks. Unfortunately, on a floatplane or a spot on a tour of some sort;
and was brief. I visited clients in just a couple of neither friend had saved any money and could I have learned this first-hand. In addition, there
days and went home with three more trips to plan not make the trip. The thought of going alone, is so much opportunity to make new friends and
later that year. I realized once I returned home, especially camping there, never crossed my mind have connections wherever you may travel. I have
that I could find some activities that were safe for until that moment. After a brief contemplation, made lifelong friends that live in Alaska on some
me to participate in on the upcoming trips. I decided I would not pass on the opportunity to of these trips, and meet up with them again when
Growing up primarily in Montana, I always spend more time observing such amazing animals. I am there.
had a love for the outdoors. In addition, seeing I did go to Brooks and camped by myself at the Alaska offers many opportunities to participate
the bears catching fish at Brooks Falls in Katmai campground for four nights. Although I was alone, in a plethora of different activities, solo or with
National Park was at the top of my bucket list. the entire campsite is surrounded by an electric others. The likelihood of seeing a diverse array of
After doing some research, I concluded that fence and there were many other campers nearby, wildlife is high anywhere you drive, so if you just
making a day trip to Brooks Falls was within reach so I never really felt alone. Families, couples and want to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and wildlife,
if I took some extra time off on one of my work other solo visitors were always friendly and willing you can rent a vehicle and simply drive in any
trips. In July of 2013, I took that day trip. to let me walk with them, which was a huge relief direction on your own schedule.
I had no idea that six-hour trip would change at the time. Traveling alone to and through Alaska is
the course of my traveling life forever. It was an Since that trip, I have visited Alaska solo exhilarating, easy, safe and fun. Just make sure to
amazing trip, to say the least, regardless of the more than twenty times. Those unforgettable trips do your research, make your reservations, pack up
brief amount of time I was able to spend amongst included going to Lake Clark and Katmai National your sense of adventure and accomplishment, and
the bears of Brooks Falls. As the floatplane Parks, dog sledding on a glacier, helicopter tours, go enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

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