Kathy and I started watching the Survival Series "Alone" on Netflix last night. This time they are way up North. More than a 150 Miles above the Arctic Circle. Home to Moose, Wolverines, Beaver, Wolves, Caribou, and, of course- Black Bears and Grizzlies. Lots and lots of Grizzlies.

So that reminded me of some of the bear stories I heard, or read, in the small towns in Alaska. Before I relate this one, I must tell you something that made my Grandkids smile and tell all their friends. I simply told them that the words Arctic, and Antarctica ...are place names, but also a simple description of what is going on. They asked what I meant.
"Well Arctic means: "Bear" Antarctica means: "No Bears." So the North Pole has bears. The South Pole...no bears."
They did not know that. So score one for Pop Pop!

Now the Bear Story, from the Skagway Newspaper that came out once a week on Wednesday. As best I can recall it.

"An elderly woman was in her kitchen when she saw a Bear snatch her small dog. She ran outside with a cast iron skillet. Chasing the Bear down the street while repeatedly hitting it on its buttocks with the frying pan.
When Police got there, the bear had dropped the dog and scampered off back into the woods. As he was taking the report down, and talking with the neighbors...he pulled the old lady aside.
"Ma'am. I know you love your dog. But chasing a bear with no bear spray or weapon is very very dangerous. "
She looked at him...incredulous.
"What? No weapon? I had a frying pan."
And that is the Alaska Mindset. LOL