Brush up on bear safety for your family's peace of mind

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."-- John Muir

The famed naturist will get no argument from us. The human urge to commune with nature is as powerful and instinctive as the will to live. The trick is to do both, together. And, to be ready to receive more than you seek in the wild.

As visitors to Alaska we want to see it all, spectacular views of a wilderness found in few other places on Earth, and to share time and space with wildlife in its natural environment. And while RVs are perfectly safe places to sleep nobody travels that far to appreciate all that natural splendor strictly through a windshield.

How safe is camping and hiking in bear country? The Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation begins addressing the question with a rather blunt response: Nothing will guarantee your safety in bear country, but knowledge of bears and proper behavior greatly reduce your risk. In its excellent and lengthy online bear primer the state Department of Natural Resources offers advice that could be critical to your family's well-being and sense of security when exploring Alaska. If you want to read it, here it is.

On the other hand, you'll find much of the same information in this delightful video produced by Backpacker Magazine. It's an especially good way to educate kids old enough to have a sense of perspective on the subject.