Actual bear in Homer |
Actually, of all the things here in Alaska, I AM afraid of bears. I know it is very possible, and maybe even probable, that I will see a bear up close and personal one day. Danger S.A.M. tried to tell me this scenario is highly unlikely. I would, however, like to go on record that within the first days of being in Homer, the lead story of the Homer Tribune (Danger's OWN newspaper) was about a bear wreaking havoc around town ... right there in print! Clink on this link for proof (and shameless publicity for the Trib) : Bad day ends for nuisance bear.
View we have of Mt. Iliamna and Cook Inlet from our porch |
Sooo, now I was in a pickle. My good friend (whom I had always thought of as fearless) now demanded to know what else she might need to worry about. I should have just pretended it was just bears and volcanoes and gone on to talk about pigs and my lack of cute shoes (naturally a huge worry to both of us.) Quite frankly though, I am more afraid of Girlie Girl kicking my butt than I am of being mauled by bears! If I just glossed over the earthquake thing and she found out later, I am pretty sure I would be sorry. So I totally just blurted out - "Tsunamis," (which is really a very, very, very small chance of being damaging. I mean the one a few months ago caused like an inch increase in the tide for goodness sake!) and in tiny, quiet voice, "and earthquakes." Let's just say this was a serious lapse of judgment on my part. The butt-whooping would have been more enjoyable.
I don't think Gigi will be coming for a visit anytime soon. She was even a little freaked out about the 600-pound baby moose in the front yard. I was sure that would be a charming story to distract her from the "perils" of Homer.Oh well, I did learn that if I want my friends and family in the Lower 48 to remain unworried, I just won't mention the impenetrable blizzards, eagles carrying off small dogs and frequent house fires. Ya'll come back now, ya hear?