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MicheleV_AK | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @0548cb44 I've lived in Alaska for 23 years and I've only seen one black bear in "the wild." I caught glimpses of black bears when I lived in Valdez. I've watched the live cams of Brooks Falls for quite some time and cannot wait to see these bears in person!
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10560dbd | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @47a45c5f Definitely very different from black bears, which is mostly what we have where I live in WA. 

The only times I saw AK brown bears was once at a distance as it was gorging on some ground berries and didn't seem to care about us (I was so scared, lol). The other was the giant stuffed bear that was on display in the JCP store back then. It's paws were as big as side tables.

I assume you have an experienced guide and/or its a controlled environment.
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MicheleV_AK | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @0548cb44 It's in Katmai National Park at Brooks Falls. No guide necessary. There are designated viewing areas for visitors to watch the bears fish. The bears at Brooks are very used to humans. We get bear training when we arrive. This has been a dream trip for me!
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10560dbd | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @47a45c5f That's so great that you get to go and live out a dream!
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MicheleV_AK | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @0548cb44 Yes, it is! Just one of so many places I want to visit in Alaska, but I feel quite blessed that I have seen so much of this state when so few get to experience it. 🧡
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10560dbd | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @47a45c5f I agree that's a worthwhile goal, to see as much as possible. I was lucky to be dating a serious mountain man at the time. He took me everywhere, taught me how to barefoot rock climb and fire a gun. I left after 6 months and he is still there as a college prof. 

AK is a must see place for people who love wild spaces. It's unparalleled (except maybe the Yukon).
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MicheleV_AK | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @0548cb44 I am so very glad you had the chance to experience Alaska in such a great way! Barefoot rock climbing...wow! This will be my first trip into the Bristol Bay region, an area I have longed to visit. Hope you come back one day!
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10560dbd | 1 years ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 @47a45c5f I would love to (maybe fly, not drive next time). I've talked about it for so many years that my oldest daughter went up summer 2022 and came back saying she was going to move there. She didn't do it, but she's been saying she will someday when her work makes it possible. She is forever in hiking boots and entirely unafraid, unlike me. She's hiked and camped in the thick of the Amazon. Sent me photos of  deadly critters. Nopedy nope!