How I Found The Bear Paw Ranch

This is a story of contrasts, the most refreshing of all possible holidays (vacations).
So bear with me, while I set the point of view.

Who am I? At the time I found the Bear Paw, I was a very burnt out USA computer person, 34 years young, driving a small pickup with a dog in the back, on my way to Alaska -- the Last Great Frontier. I was on a summer leave of absence from my corporate computer job. I had set out on my journey seeing myself as both a geographer, and an adventurer.

Click here to hear a Bear Growl audio clip .au file

Finally, a blue sky day. Perfect for driving the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, going north to Alaska. Back then, it had yet to become paved, as it is today. I will admit to being a little spooked at driving so far, from what I had previously known as civilization. I strengthened my resolve by noting that if the RV's could do it, then surely my little 4 wheel drive pickup could. So onward north I continued, on what was back then, no more than a very nice gravel road. This day my destination was Hyder, Alaska -- the Friendliest Little Ghost Town in Alaska. Hyder is just a jog west, off the Stewart-Cassiar. Along the way you pass by Bear Glacier with its small lake and tiny icebergs, which is very nice.

Now remember, I’m 34 years young, so getting "Hyderized" is actually the experience I went to Hyder, Alaska for. This tradition began when prospectors used to tack up paper money on the wall, in case they were out of money, next trip into town. The Glacier Inn is wallpapered in currency from around the world. Each bill is signed by its original owner. Becoming "Hyderized" is a process where the bartender pours you a shot of 180 proof everclear. The game rules are -- you down it and keep it down, and the bartender turns the emptied shot glass over, where the resulting lit alcohol fumes flame, must be less then 6 inches. If you succeed in doing this, then the drink is on the house and you get a little certificate, proving you did such a silly thing. If you fail, then not only do you buy your own drink, but you also buy a round for the house.

I got my certificate of proof. I have been "Hyderized".

What choice did I really have? Here I am, a long way from home, and with the exception of the owners wife and the DJ’s girlfriend, I am a rare female in this Alaska border town bar, full of gold miners. I danced one dance (Johnny Cash - Burning Ring of Fire) and took myself off like a good girl, to the hotel room I had rented, above the saloon. There I slept fully clothed, trusting my dog to watch out for my best interests. I awoke the following morning at 5am, when the music in the bar below, had been turned off, to close up and sweep out, before reopening in an hour.

With my body feeling as if it had been forced to swallow kerosene (everclear), I continued my adventure north. My headlights (dirt highway regulations) only work on brights by now and in both of them, the glass is cracked. My truck is a dusty, muddy mess and my windshield has been dinged by a flung rock. I knew of the Bear Paw from the pictures I had seen, when I had stopped at the Meziadin Junction Information Cabin (outhouse out back). All I had on my mind, was a hot shower, in a safe place. And sooner, rather then later.

From my Journal: 6/23/89 afternoon.
I am at the Bear Paw Ranch, Iskut, British Columbia and it is wonderful. The attention to detail and quality is excellent. I showered when I got here and I’m now sitting on the deck of a lovely cabin (wood stove, Louie L’more books). The view is terrific and the sun is shinning. One of the wilderness guides here, has stopped by to say hello. He said he had carried his lunch pail off to work for 7 years. Took off one summer and the next summer, wanted to do it again. I can see how that could happen to a person. Maybe I should stay another day?

And that is how I found The Bear Paw Ranch and ended up staying not just another day, but 6 weeks.