Bear Paw Adventure

IPHC Charter halibut regulations for 2022

The International Pacific Halibut Commission has announced the charter halibut regulations for 2022.

Plan to include a charter halibut fishing trip on your visit to the Alaska Kenai Peninsula? Be sure to read this.

If you plan to fish halibut on a charter boat this year in regulated area 3A (that applies to the saltwater charters that Bear Paw Adventure will book for you) these regulations will apply to your trip.

The daily bag limit for each person is 2 halibut, one of any size and the 2^nd no longer than 28 inches.
Charter halibut fishing on Wednesdays the entire year is closed.
Charter halibut fishing is also closed on Tuesday, July 26 and on Tuesday, August 2.

Halibut charter operator vessels are permitted to do only one halibut charter trip per day and their Pacific Halibut Permit can only be used for one charter trip per day.

Halibut Fishing from the Beach

A popular activity for our Lodging guests is fishing for halibut on a custom fishing charter. Bear Paw Adventure books these charters. Clients fish on a first-class boat with an experienced skipper. All the gear is provided, and the crew will get you on the fish and then handle the big flat fish for you after you get it to the boat. This is a great way to experience halibut fishing in Alaska. The custom trips are 6-pack charters, meaning there will be no more than six clients on the trip.

But there is another way to fish halibut, that you might enjoy in addition to a custom charter or perhaps instead of. Although more abundantly found in the deep water far from shore, halibut can also be caught right off the beach. How do you do that you ask?

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish, will be hosting an online fishing forum titled, “Beach Fishing for Halibut on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula” on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game YouTube channel.

The presentation will be available on YouTube on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 7:00 p.m (Alaska time), and will continue to be available on YouTube after that. Don’t miss it!

Travel to Alaska

April 26, 2021 – The State of Alaska released an updated health information statement this week.

Travelers to Alaska are not required to get tested either prior to or upon arrival in Alaska.
If you are not vaccinated, you are encouraged to get tested prior to travel or take a free test if that is available at your port of entry.
If you are fully vaccinated (meaning it is at least 2 weeks since you got your shots), there are no requirements or recommendations for testing.

There is an optional Safe travels Form” at www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com

Bear Paw Adventure Quarterly Newsletter - January 2021

Check out our quarterly newsletter! In this edition we took a closer look at our new wedding venue, explored the 49th Iditarod Race, and gave a COVID update.

Look at the newsletter here!

Want to get an email with our quarterly newsletters? Sign up here.

What is the most important thing?

What is the most important thing that you want to experience when you visit the Alaska Kenai Peninsula? Is it

Moose? Seeing Moose is listed as the top priority for many people
Bears? For most folks, Alaska means bears and seeing the big coastal bears at Katmai is on top of their bucket list!
Glaciers? See and hear the thunder from calving glaciers
Coastal Marine Tour? Alaska’s coastal scenery offers wonders indeed!
Whales? Get that great photo of an Orca or Humpback breeching!
Volcanoes? See active Redoubt, Iliamna, Augustine, and Douglas!
Mountains? Hike the Kenai and the Chugach Mountain trails!
Catch a Halibut? This is the Halibut Capital of the World!
Learning Experiences? Learn about Alaska’s flora and fauna, history, and native culture!
Clean Air, Rest and Relaxation? Enjoy Alaska’s clean environment and wide-open spaces!
Lodging on a real Alaskan Property? Bear Paw Adventure’s vacation homes were made from standing beetle-killed spruce trees by the hands of the Bear Paw family. Enjoy this Alaska homestead experience!
Iditarod Dog Sled Ride? A wilderness cart ride pulled by Alaska sled dogs or a helicopter trip to a glacier and a dogsled ride over the ice!
A Natural Venue for your wedding? The “Wonder” at Bear Paw may be just what you are looking for!
Is it Something else?

Let us know. What is most important to you? Go to our Facebook page and let us know.

Stay with us at Bear Paw Adventure and enjoy all of these things – and more!

(The photo was taken by Bear Paw on one of our favorite marine tours)

Bear Paw Quarterly Newsletter - October 2020

Check out the newest edition of our newsletter! Inside you can learn more about our new pavilion and renting it for future weddings, fat bear week, and whale watching.

View October's Newsletter here!

Want to join the newsletter? Click here to join.

Hiking To Grewingk Glacier

Looking for an adventure local to Bear Paw Adventure? Hiking to Grewingk Glacier is a favorite for both locals and visitors alike and suitable for all skill levels. This hike is across Kachemak Bay in Halibut Cove. Launching from the Homer harbor, you'll get dropped off at Glacier Spit trailhead for a beautiful three mile hike to Grewingk Glacier Lake. The view from the lake features majestic mountains, icebergs floating in the lake, and the glacier itself. If you're brave enough you can swim in the clean glacier water and climb aboard one of the icebergs. If you're lucky you'll hear the loud cracking of the glacier calving. This area is open to camping if you're looking for an overnight adventure with a view. Hike back along Saddle Trail, a short one mile hike back to your water taxi. This area is frequented by bears, so make sure you have your bear spray with you just in case. We highly recommend adding this hike to your Alaskan adventure!

Looking for more information about the trails? Check out this link.

Looking for a water taxi to use in Homer for this adventure? Check out this link.

More Clarifications of the Travel to Alaska COVID-19 Requirements

In Health Mandate 10.1, the State of Alaska published additional clarifications of the COVID-19 requirements for travel to Alaska. These requirements became effective on August 11, 2020. Here is a summary that applies to travelers to Alaska who are not Alaska residents and not traveling as Critical infrastructure employees.

Travel to Alaska COVID-19 Requirements “In a Nutshell”:

Do not travel to Alaska if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not subsequently been cleared for travel. Unless you want to be tested at your arrival airport (Cost $250), get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours before your departure to Alaska and upload or bring with you the negative test results, or, if the results are not yet available, proof you were tested. Complete the Alaska Travel Declaration Form and the Self-Isolation Plan (forms available at www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com).

If you arrive in Alaska without a 72-hour negative test result, self-quarantine until negative results are obtained. If you arrive by air without getting a 72-hour test, get tested at the airport ($250) and self-quarantine until negative test results are obtained.

After arriving in Alaska and having proof of negative test results (either from pre-travel or from after-arrival testing), practice social distancing until you leave Alaska or for up to 14 days, or until you get a second negative test result that was taken between 7 to 14 days after your arrival. Practicing Social Distancing includes wearing a mask and staying 6-feet from anyone not in your household when you are in outdoor public spaces; and not entering restaurants, bars, gyms, community centers, sporting facilities, office buildings, school or daycare facilities. Do not participate in Group activities.

For the State’s summary of the latest information on COVID-19 requirements for travel to Alaska, see: https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/#10

The Blueberries that Saved Our Lives

Corinne’s post about blueberries reminded me of a Caribou hunt that I enjoyed with sons John (your host at Bear Paw Adventure) and Jeff. We flew across the Inlet with Beluga Air and landed on the shores of Tutna Lake. There we set up our tent on what turned out to be one of the windiest locations in the entire State of Alaska – but that is another story.

On this hunt, early one morning, Jeff set out to the southeast, looking for some caribou he spotted. John and I took off to the north and we soon spotted a small heard of Caribou, with one that looked like a good bull. We chased after them, traveling about a mile north and then a mile or so west. The animals were in thick cover and some how we spooked them. As they ran from our left to right about 100 yards in front, they crossed an opening that offered a clear shot, but only for a fraction of a second. John was identifying each animal as it reached the open ground. I remember he called out – “cow, cow, cow, cow.” Those of course we let pass. Next John said “bull” and with that I put the cross hairs on the front shoulder and pulled the trigger, as then John continued, “Not the one you want.”

Well it was an acceptable bull anyway. We field dressed the animal and found a pole so that we could carry the pieces of meat back to camp, which was somewhere off in the distance, two or more miles away. It was afternoon by then. We had figured to be back at camp for lunch, so we didn’t bring any food or water.

It took four trips on the meat pole to move the field-dressed animal, and we broke that up in segments of about 300 yards, slowly advancing our burden. There had been a light drizzle of rain the entire day so that we were soaking wet and the temperature was in the 40’s. We were warm while we were carrying the meat, but when we tried to rest it got cold. And, with no water to drink we were getting dehydrated. At one point when we were advancing the meat pole, I was resisting stopping our progress but was getting sick to my stomach. I finally told John I had to stop. He said good and that he was about the vomit.

When we stopped, it just so happened we were in a thick patch of blueberries. We must have stayed there for nearly an hour, picking and eating blueberries. With that, we were rehydrated and continued toward camp.

At dusk, we reached a rise in the tundra that overlooked Tutna Lake. Jeff had built a large fire at camp, thinking it would help us find our way back if we were lost. Through the binoculars I saw Jeff pacing back and forth, obviously wondering what happened to us. We put a flag on a stick as a marker and left the meat pile there on the rise. We walked on into camp, getting even wetter as we crossed a small creek. Dry clothes and the campfire felt especially good that night. And I will never forget how good those blueberries tasted.

John, A.K.A. The Wise Old Hunter

Blueberries in Alaska

Throughout the month of August blueberries become ripe and people go out picking! In fact, August is when most wild berries in Alaska become ripe including raspberries, crowberries, salmonberries, cloudberries, and more. There are two main precautions when picking berries in Alaska. The first is not to eat any berries that are white - these are poisonous. Another is to carry bear spray with you because they are avid berry pickers too. Berries are growing all across the state! If you're looking for a place to go, you won't have to look far. If you are locally at Bear Paw Adventure, just ask for the blueberry picking location and we have a private area to check out. Whittier, located between Homer and Anchorage, is a popular berry picking location for many types of berries. In Anchorage areas like Arctic Valley Ski Lodge, Flat Top Mountain, and more provide hiking and berry picking. North of Anchorage in the MatSu Valley you can find blueberries in Hatcher Pass along with an outstanding drive! And if you make the trek up to Denali, berries are plentiful throughout the national park. Once you have your blueberries, I would recommend this amazing blueberry bundt cake that was featured in the New York Times. It's a delicious way to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Updated Alaska COVID Travel Guidelines

Still another change to Alaska’s requirement for non-Resident travel to the state was posted on the State’s site on August 5, 2020.

Non-Residents arriving in Alaska after August 10^th must either:

Have gotten a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before departure to Alaska and upload negative test results into the Alaska Travel Portal, or
If the test was done within 72 hours before departure but the results are not yet available, upload proof of the test into the Alaska Travel Portal and quarantine until getting a negative result, or
If no pre-testing is done, get a test in Alaska ($250) and quarantine until receiving a negative test result.

A link to upload testing information will be available soon.

For more information, please visit the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website.

One of the State’s Frequently Asked Question Replies: June 4, 2020 You can quarantine in any lodging where you can physically separate yourself from other individuals for the length of quarantine. This includes hotels, lodges, cabins, or residences where you have space separate from the other people in the residence. Remember that under quarantine, you cannot have contact with anyone other than medical providers in cases of medical necessity.

Non-residents arriving before August 11, should follow Alaska’s current COVID-19 testing requirements, but options 1 and 2 above are also good for the present.

Bear Paw Adventure Quarterly Newsletter

The Bear Paw Adventure Quarterly Newsletter was just released! You don't want to miss out on learning about Bear Paw news, the Alaska Sealife Center, COVID-19 in Alaska, and much more! Check out the newsletter by following the link below and join our newsletter here: http://zc.vg/1jtio

August 2020 Newsletter

Bear Paw Adventure Promotions

Bear Paw Adventure is giving out some awesome deals right now!

Join us on social media by 1) sharing our Facebook post with promotions and tag us in it @bearpawadventure or 2) like us on Instagram @bearpawadventure. Doing so will put you in for a drawing to receive a FREE NIGHT at Bear Paw Adventure during the summer of 2021! Do both and you can double your chances of winning.

If you're looking for a guarantee, we are offering 10% off to all guests who sign up for our quarterly newsletter.

These are special deals meant just for you! Connect with us so we can give you an adventure of a lifetime!

Share our promotional Facebook post here: facebook.com/bearpawadventure

Like us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bearpawadventure/

And join our newsletter here: http://zc.vg/1jtio

COVID-19 Travel to Alaska

Travel to Alaska requires testing for COVID-19; or alternately, a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Specific time frames are specified for the test. Caution: Alaska accepts only molecular-based tests such as the PCR tests – antibody/serology tests are not accepted.

Travelers must also complete a State of Alaska Travel Declaration Form.

For the details, see https://www.travelalaska.com/Planning/Tips/COVID19.aspx

If you need to cancel a lodging reservation at Bear Paw Adventure because of COVID-19 issues!

COVID-19 Special: No cancelation charges at Bear Paw Adventure for 2020 lodging reservations that cannot be completed due to COVID-19 issues.

Sockeye Salmon fishing in Alaska

Alaska Department of Fish and Game has posted on YouTube some great information about Sockeye Salmon called “Sockeye Salmon Fishing 101.” This is great information for you If you plan to fish Sockeye in Alaska, or for anyone who wants to understand more about this great Alaskan resource. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ0N-L1VYwE .

Travel to Alaska: COVID-19 Testing Requirements Flow Chart

To clarify COVID-19 testing requirements for those traveling to Alaska, the Stale of Alaska has published a flow chart of the procedure. You can view the chart.

The flow chart may appear complicated when you first look at it, but with a little study you may find it helpful. One thing I would change on the chart is I would move the requirement to complete the Travel Declaration Form to before travel instead of after as shown on the State’s diagram, as that would be more consistent with the Mandate.

For visitors to Alaska, our opinion here at Bear Paw Adventure, is that your best option is the one indicated as Option 1 on the chart, that is to get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of your departure and have the test report that indicates negative for COVID-19 in hand when you board the plane.

If Option 1 doesn’t work for you, then Option 3 is (in our opinion) the next best, that is get tested within 5 days of departure and have that report of negative for the virus when you board the plane.

Travel to Alaska - State of Alaska Revised Requirements as of June 6, 2020

In a news conference the evening of June 3rd, Governor Dunleavy discussed the revised requirements of the state’s Health Mandate 10.1. This is the COVID-19 mandate that applies to anyone entering Alaska. Previously, visitors to the state were required to self-quarantine after arrival for 14 days. With the new revisions, which is effective at 12:01 am June 6, 2020, visitors have three options to the 14-day quarantine. The following is a summary of these requirements, rearranged somewhat from the way they are listed in the Mandate, as they apply to visitors to Alaska. Also see the States summary at https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/. Read the revised Mandate at https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MANDATE-010-REVISED-06.03.20.pdf

Option 1: Upon arrival, the visitor will present a SARS-CoV2 PCR test report that shows the visitor tested negative for the COVID-19 virus within 72 hours before his departure for Alaska, or

Option 2: Upon arrival, the visitor will present a SARS-CoV2 PCR test report that shows the visitor tested negative for the COVID-19 virus within 5 days before his departure for Alaska and the visitor takes a second test upon arrival in Alaska. In this case, the visitor is to minimize interactions (with others) until the second test result is received and is also negative.

Option 3: For visitors who are not pre-tested (not using Options 1 or 2) the visitor obtains a SARS-CoV2 PCR test upon arrival and then self-quarantines until getting a test report that shows a negative result.

And with all three options, the visitor will be given a voucher for use to obtain a second test that must occur within 7-14 days after arrival. The visitor is to minimize interactions (with others) until the second test result is received and is also negative. If the test is positive, the visitor must isolate and will not be able to travel, unless cleared by public health.

In addition, all visitors are required to do the following before arrival:

Read the available safety information about traveling to Alaska,
Complete the State of Alaska Travel Declaration Form online and have a printed copy or electronic copy with you at your port of entry, https://covid19.alaska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/06032020-Mandate-10-Travel-declaration-form-Ver-1.2-6-3.pdf and
If you are getting a SARS-CoV2 PCR test upon arrival, register with the testing site.

Note, the above Declaration Form and the State’s summery are not up-to-date, in that they do not properly describe the 5-day test option (Option 2) above.

Alaska visitors 14-day quarantine replaced with a COVID-19 test.

In a press conference on Friday, May 29, Governor Dunleavy of Alaska announced that Alaska will begin on Friday, June 5^th requiring that either (1) visitors arriving in Alaska by air be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours before boarding their departure flight, or (2) be tested before leaving their arrival airport in Alaska (or self-quarantine for 14 days).

Visitors are asked to complete the testing before coming to Alaska and warned that testing after arrival in Alaska could result in a long delay at the airport. The test report must indicate negative for COVID-19

Testing in the arrival airport is intended to be opted only for cases where the arriving person has lost his test report or in event of some other unusual circumstance.

In addition to the COVID-19 test, visitors will be required to fill out a special form, which will be available on the internet.

Details of this requirement are still being worked out and will be ready to implement on Friday, June 5^th. Until that time, the 14-day quarantine, which was scheduled to expire today (June 2^nd), will remain in effect.

More information is expected to be available this week. Those planning a trip to Alaska soon, may want to investigate where they can be tested for COVID-19. The test is to be no more than 72 hours before the boarding time for your flight to Alaska and you will need the test results in hand when you get off the plane at your destination in Alaska. (My assumption is that the 72 hours is counted from the departure of the leg of your flight that lands in Alaska, for those that have connecting flights. But this is a detail that has not yet been published.)

Alaska Reopened - Almost

The Governor of Alaska announced last night that Alaska was returning to pre-pandemic levels (with respect to COVID-19 Mandates) on Friday, June 20th. He said “time to put Alaska back on its feet”.

However, the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for visitors to Alaska will stay in effect until June 2^nd.

Why choose Bear Paw Adventure to help you plan your trip to Alaska?

Alaska is a Big Place, and while our staff at Bear Paw definitely doesn’t know it all, this Grandfather, Son, Grandson family business offers a lot of Alaska knowledge that can help make your Alaska trip the best it can be. And, you will get the viewpoints of three generations.

Bear Paw’s staff brings you advice based on a wide range of direct experiences, including Alaska commercial crabbing and commercial fishing, guiding for halibut & salmon fishing, trapping, panning and sluicing for gold and log home building.

We have boated on Prince William Sound; the Interior rivers including the Tanana, Yukon and Koyukuk; shot moose along the Nowitna and Honhosa Rivers and the Nikolai Slough. We have crossed Skilak Lake, and climbed the Kenai Mountains for bear. We hiked to wilderness graves of early Russian settlers in the Sound.

We have flown into the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains by super cub and hunted Dahl sheep off the high peaks. Gone by float plane beyond Iliamna Volcano to the windy tundra for Caribou. Fished for halibut and salmon in the Inlet; fished yellow eye, salmon, halibut and ling cod in the Sound; pike and sheefish in the Nowitna River; dolly varden, kings, silver, reds and trout in the Anchor and other local rivers and lakes.

At times, in the Alaska Interior, we have watched thousands of ducks and geese that blackened the day sky, seen almost as many beaver, river otters, bears, moose and wolves, ravens, eagles, and falcons. We have heard the lonely call of the wolf; and saw the breathtaking Arora Borealis from Anchor Point on a cold winter night when it filled the sky with dancing lights from horizon to horizon.

We sat in a sled pulled by dogs that seem to live only to run, with the sled flipping over more than once in the deep snow on the high-speed downhill runs.

We have built cabinets in Anchorage and at the top of the world at Prudhoe Bay.

We have driven the Haul Road (road to Prudhoe Bay) and crossed the E. L. Patton Bridge over the Yukon River. There we launched our boat into the river, traveling past the Yukon River villages of Rampart, Tanana, Ruby, Koyukuk and Galena and then up the Koyukuk River as far as the Honhosa River. You might have seen some of these villages on TV Alaska shows.

We have seen the big coastal brown bears at Katmai and Brooks Falls; slept at Brooks Camp; and there we saw active digs of Native American structures and hiked down to the valley of 10,000 smokes. We saw the orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals and sea otters in Kachemak Bay, and in Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound. In the Sound we saw and heard calving glaciers.

We hiked the trails at Kachemak Bay State Park and other local trails, and on the Homer Spit we snagged salmon in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon and had a beer at the Salty Dawg Saloon.

In the old days, we were shot at by natives and were the target of a Malakoff cocktail thrown through our truck window (which fortunately did not explode).

We have lived a subsistence style, at least to some extent, growing vegetables, fishing and hunting.

We have tent camped, sleeping on the ground under the Alaska Pipeline, along the Yukon River, at Engineer Lake on the Kenai, in the mountains of the Alaska Range and in the wilderness, on the gold rush trial at Manly Hot Springs Roadhouse, and by many rivers - too many to count. We have also slept in public wilderness cabins.

We have studied the literature too about the early native Americans, some crossing on a land bridge from Asia. We read the books about the discovery of Alaska by Vitus Bering on his second Kamchatka mission. On that trip, George Stellar stepped off a long boat launched from the ship and laid down on Kayak Island the first footprints of a white man on Alaska soil.

We also studied the ship logs of captain James Cook when he sailed on his third and final voyage. On that adventure cook spent the night of May 27 1778, on anchor just off the beach at our location at anchor point. The next morning, he lost one of the ship's anchors which is still on the bottom. This led him to name a nearby rounded point on the shoreline Anchor Point.

We have been chasing the Alaska experience since about 1984. The older members of the staff are from Pennsylvania and the youngest is Alaska-born, a graduate of Homer high.

We rely on our experience to plan and implement a 2-3 week college travel class where students learn about the natural wonders of Alaska. Many of the class activities are things that our lodging customers also enjoy and there is positive feedback between course activities and our recommended adventures.

Bear Paw Adventure has been providing lodging and adventure services at Anchor Point since about 1993. We have a short list of trusted adventure services providers (charter operators) that we recommend for our lodging guests and that we include in our lodging/adventure packages. These are operators who, over the years, have received excellent client reviews.

Recently we certified as an Alaska travel expert a certification that is obtained by book study. I will have to admit that I learned some things from the course. We did notice that we have experienced a lot of the Alaska locations and attractions mentioned in the study material - but not nearly all of them

Alaska is a Big Place. We will be happy to help you enjoy it. Come stay with Bear Paw Adventure at Anchor Point.

The Governor of Alaska Mandated 14-day self-quarantine for travelers set to expire June 2nd.

On May 15, 2020, the Governor of Alaska extended the 14-day self-quarantine required for anyone traveling into Alaska from out of state to June 2nd. He further indicated that this requirement will be evaluated every day and changes could be announced the week of May 18.

This is good news for visitors who have plans to visit Alaska in June, or later in the summer.

WE ARE OPEN and you are WELCOME to come stay in our unique lodges and enjoy the wonders of Alaska.

Come enjoy the Last Frontier, her caribou, moose and bears.

See the snow-covered mountains, lush green forests, rugged coast lines and open tundra. Listen to calving glaciers, sea birds and the majestic eagle sailing above in the open sky.

This is wide open spaces with remote fishing trips, nature tours and friendly people.

Save money too compared to expensive, crowded hotels and beaches in the lower 48.

Easy to make your reservation. Just enter your dates of travel, number in your party and then click search. If your dates are not available, check the calendar on the bottom of the page for options. Need help or want to talk to customer service? Call 866 286 0576.

More Good News for Alaska Tourism - ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

The Governor of Alaska has issued COVID-19 Mandate 18, effective May 12^th. This Mandate modifies previously mandated restrictions that applied to travel within Alaska. Mandate 18 permits, for all purposes, travel between Alaskan communities that are located on the road system or on the Marine Highway System.

Previous Mandate 16, Attachment M, which is superseded by the recent Mandate 18, had prohibited non-household members from traveling between communities in the same vehicle.

That stumbling block is now gone, and your family or group of friends can plan to share a rental car or van, even though you may live in separate households back home.

Some social distancing requirements still apply while traveling. And there are still restrictions on travel to remote Alaskan communities, but this is not likely to affect most recreational travelers to Alaska.

So, plan to get “ON THE ROAD AGAIN”, as the song goes, and enjoy The Last Frontier!

Things are getting busy on the Alaska Kenai Peninsula.

The Alaska Governor has opened the Kenai Peninsula and people are here enjoying fishing and other fun in the great outdoors.

We have lots of space available for you, but we are expecting that to fill up soon. Now is a great time for our Anchorage area families to come on down.

If you have been putting off booking your trip to Alaska from the lower 48, or perhaps canceled a trip because of the COVID-19 uncertainty, book now for late May, June or later in the summer. Don’t miss the fun on the Kenai this summer.

Photo of Homer Small Boat Harbor

A Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Maybe starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We got two new reservations for May yesterday.

ANCHORAGE - COME ON DOWN TO ANCHOR POINT AND ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS

(Photo, coming out of the tunnel at Whittier)

COVID-19 Alaska Mandates and Your Travel to Alaska in 2020 - Update May 8, 2020

Alaska COVID-19 Update May 8, 2020 – Good News!

The governor of Alaska has issued Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan Phase 1-A. This Mandate 016 is effective April 24, 2020.

Then today, Phase 2 of the plan goes into effect and further lifts capacity restriction for these businesses. .

The plan allows reopening of listed businesses that were initially required to cease operations under the Governor’s previous Mandates

Of particular interest to tourists are the reopening of:

· Public facing businesses,

· Retail businesses,

· Dine-in restaurants,

· Fishing Charters,

· Lodging and overnight camping,

· Intrastate Travel,

· Outdoor day activity,

· Social, Religious and other gatherings, and

· Swimming pools (Phase 2)

Some forms of social distancing are still required for some businesses and various other rules may apply, such as, capacity restrictions, use of cloth face masks for employees and advance reservations.

But the good news is that this is a promising step in reopening Alaska for a fun-filled summer of healthy adventures.

COVID-19 Alaska Mandates and Your Travel to Alaska in 2020 - Revised May 8, 2020

Like the rest of the world the last frontier has been impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The Governor of Alaska has issued mandates intended to slow the spread within the state. These mandates will affect you and your plans to travel to the great state in the spring of 2020 and possibly even later in the year.

Below is a brief summary of the key Mandates that directly impact those planning travel to Alaska. These Mandates make recreational travel to the great state impractical at this time. Hopefully, the restrictions will be lifted in time for travel this summer.

The Governor’s Mandate 010, International and Interstate Travel, requires that all persons traveling into the state must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Prior to travel, persons are required to declare where they will self-quarantine and then go to that location immediately upon arrival in Alaska. This mandate became effective on March 25 and has been extended to May 19^th. Hopefully, after May 19 this will no longer be a requirement.

Governor’s Mandate 011, required Social Distancing and closure of certain non-essential businesses, but limited operation of those is now allowed by a new Mandate 16. Mandate 011 has been superseded by other mandates.

Governor’s Mandate 012, Intrastate Travel prohibits travel between communities within Alaska, except for certain specified purposes. This Mandate has been extended until rescinded. It has been modified to permit travel in a car by members of the same household (Attachment M, Mandate 016)

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, has issued a clarification indicating that sports fishing is allowed in Alaska and the public is permitted to travel to fishing locations outside of their communities. But additional rules about the travel apply, as does the Social Distancing requirement.

Those planning to travel to Alaska are advised to keep current with the Alaska Governor’s updates. If the Governor’s Mandates prevent your planned travel and you need to reschedule or cancel your reservation with Bear Paw Adventure, please call us at 866 286 0576 or email us at alaska@bearpawadventure.com. We are waiving our usual change or cancelation charges for reservations made directly with us and where change is required by COVID-19 considerations.

April 25, 2020

John at Bear Paw Adventure

COVID-19

Our heart goes out to those who have been affected by the coronavirus and especially to the families that have lost friends and loved ones.

On the internet, I see that business in the travel industry are responding in different ways to cancelations made necessary by COVID-19 travel restrictions set by various government agencies. Some travel industry businesses are offering full refunds, while others are sticking to their standard policies.

We at Bear Paw Adventure will continue to comply with all government restrictions and suggested best practices that are applied in response to COVID-19. And with respect to cancelation charges, we are offering no-fee rescheduling of stays or, where that doesn’t work, a full refund of lodging payments we received for stays scheduled within an effected time period. We have already refunded all payments made for lodging reservations with us in April 2020 and will be watching May carefully on behalf of our customers.

In addition, if Alaska adventures were scheduled for you during your stay at Bear Paw Adventure, we will do our best to get a full refund for you from those adventure service operators, or reschedule your activity to time that works for you.

The above revision for our refund policy for cancelations required by COVID-19 restrictions will apply for the rest of 2020. So don’t let uncertainty about travel restrictions stop you from booking your stays at Bear Paw Adventure and from having FUN IN ALASKA in 2020.

John at Bear Paw Adventure

Study Abroad Program & Travel Class Cancelations

College and University study program cancelations in 2020 may be a big disappointment for students and the loss of a great educational experience. If your 2020 abroad program has been canceled - no problem. There is still an opportunity for a great educational and fun experience in Alaska.

Bear Paw has space for you in a spring program, where students will learn about the flora and fauna of Alaska, experiencing firsthand the wonders of The Last Frontier. Other programs throughout the year are available and can be customize to your needs. Lodging is included.

Homestead property located on the Alaska Kenai Peninsula, right in the middle of fantastic Alaskan scenery and wildlife.

Visit the “Groups” page on Bear Paw’s website for more information or call John at 866 286 0576.

Get a limited-edition Alaska Statehood Quarter with your Stay at Bear Paw Adventure.

ALASKA HISTORY: The first Alaskans are believed to have come to Alaska from Asia, traveling across the land bridge that connected the two continents at that time. This may have occurred about 28,000 years ago. Other peoples, the Eskimos and Aleuts. may have come later by boat, hopping from island to island along the Aleutian Chain. They probably arrived at least 8000 years ago.

The native population of Alaska changed slowly over thousands of years until the time of contact with the outside world. The Russians were the 1st to come, arriving after the discovery of Alaska by Vitus Bering in 1741. The Unangan on the Aleutians were violently impacted by the Russians who came to profit from sea otter pelts.

Then after Captain James Cook sailed into Cook Inlet in 1778, word of the findings of sea otters brought the British and Americans to the northwest coast. By 1815, the sea otter was essentially exterminated. The Russians brought smallpox and venereal diseases to the native populations, reducing some area populations by 50 to 80%. In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for 7.2 million dollars or about 2 cents per acre.

Between 1867 and 1884 Alaska had no civil government and was under military jurisdiction. The Native Americans suffered from the excessive forces used against them by those in control. In the 1880s Yankee whalers brought diseases and they destroyed the bowhead whale and walrus populations.

Salmon canning became a major industry in Alaska around 1878. Gold was discovered in Alaska in 1870 and in 1896 that brought an onslaught to the Klondike and other Alaska locations. The white population in Alaska increase to about 95,000 by 1950. After World War 2 there was a move for statehood driven mainly by the white population. The Alaska statehood act was signed by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958, making Alaska the 49th state.

In 1968 there was a huge oil find in the North Slope. Dispute over land rights led to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act signed into law by President Nixon in December 18, 1971. The act gave 963 million dollars in cash and 44,000,000 acres to Alaska natives. Every living Alaska native received 100 shares of stock in the region and in the village where he lived

In about 1991, a section of an original homestead property located near Anchor Point was purchased by the Ogle family. Local spruce trees were used to erect log buildings and other improvements were made to the homestead. The business that was started was originally a fishing charter service, but it was expanded to be a full-service lodging and adventure service, now known as Bear Paw Adventure.

Get a limited-edition Alaska Statehood quarter with your completed stay at Bear Paw Adventure.

Your choice of colorized (shown) or gold plated. One quarter per party. Offer valid only for reservations made on Bear Paw Adventure’s website or by phone (866 286 0576), after February 10, 2020 and for stays anytime in 2020. While supplies last.

Warning: You may get more then you bargain for at Bear Paw Adventure!

PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER.

Beware of:

Fresh, clean air
Fun Beyond Belief
Excellent Restaurants
Pristine Scenery and Wildlife Viewing
Unique & Comfortable Alaskan Log Vacation Homes
Exciting Adventures
Friendly Alaskans
Relaxation & Rejuvenation

Disclaimer: Bear Paw Adventure is not responsible for lossses incurred by guests who like their stay so much that they never want to go back home. Be Careful. This can happen to you!

Packing for your Trip - Travel Light - Paw Tip

Laundry & Packing:

You won’t need to pay extra baggage charges on your flights if you pack light and plan to launder your clothing while in Alaska. Choose lodging that offers free and convenient use of a washer and dryer.

All of Bear Paw’s buildings except the Moose Cabin have in-building, large capacity washers and dryers. Use is free with your reservation. Don’t load yourself up with extra luggage or waste your valuable Alaska time and money in a laundromat

Booking - Make your reservation directly with the owner - Paw Tip

Book your lodging with the owner:

The online travel agencies might help you find accommodations, but you may pay extra fees when you book on their sites. Save hundreds of dollars by booking directly with the property owner.

Pay no added fees when you book directly on Bear Paw’s website at www.bearpawadventure.com or by phone at 866 286 0576. You can also send us a text to that same number. Just text “Help me plan my trip”, and Bear Paw will reply.

Meals - Get the most for your money on your Alaska Vacation - PAW TIP

Save on Meals

The Kenai Peninsula has excellent restaurants and we recommend you enjoy dining out while visiting. But eating out can be expensive. If you want to economize, choose lodging that includes a kitchen and a BBQ deck.

All of Bear Paw Adventure’s buildings have kitchens that are stocked with cooking supplies and all the cooking equipment you will want. Prepare your favorite breakfast and lunch and use your private BBQ grill to prepare steaks, hamburgers, or fresh halibut or salmon. Then enjoy watching for eagles, moose and other critters while you feast on your BBQ deck.

Two people, can easily reduce their food costs by $100 or more a day.

Extended Stay - Get the most for your money on your Alaska Vacation - PAW TIP

Choose an Extended Stay

Planning to visit the Kenai Peninsula for a week or more? First select a great location that offers lots of Alaska scenery and that is convenient to exciting adventures. Then select home-base lodging in that area. That way, you will take advantage of an extended-stay discount. And you will avoid the hassle and wasted time of packing and relocating every day.

Bear Paw Adventure is located on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula at historic Anchor Point. Enjoy fantastic views of 4 volcanos, Kachemak Bay, wildlife, and snow-capped mountains. All the exciting scenery and adventures of the Kenai Peninsula are right here or in easy reach by day trips. Bear Paw offers unique lodging at an Extended Stay Rate. Just book 7 or more nights and you will automatically get that low rate. It will save you money!

North to Alaska

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN (AND GOOD WOMEN) TO MAKE PLANS FOR FUN IN ALASKA!

Choose one of Bear Paw Adventure's fine Packages or ask Bear Paw to design a custom package just for you.