Found Gentle Ben the Grizzly! Picked him up from Blue Eyed Peas Mendenhall Glacier Travel Bug Lodge.
So far, all afternoon (and well into the evening!) he has been regaling me with his travel tales from the last six and a half years. He told me about his start and his first trip to Alaska. Starting in the desert and traveling through forests and seeing huge rivers. He told of how he made it all the way to Washington, and how confused he was at suddenly being back in California. Then before he knew it, he was in Alaska! He even remembers seeing the "big city" of Anchorage! He talked about how he then went to Michigan (which sometimes looked a lot like Alaska), and then the East Coast. He told me how the humid summer made his fur feel funny. He shared with me his more recent trip to Alaska, and how he has enjoyed spending this summer with his cousins.
He talked about long road trips and short trips in airplanes. Feeling the wind through his fur and the sun in his eyes. Most of all he talked about the people and animals he met along the way. Children who clutched him tight, people who talked with him and sang to him. Tea times and story times, lounging by the pool and family game nights. Animals who shared sniffs, and other stuffed animals who posed with him for pictures. All while we talked he had this glint in his eye. That look of someone who longs for the trip. Enjoys the destination, but can't wait to get back on the road. I asked him what he is looking for, does he want to stay in Juneau, maybe head up north again? He said that would be nice, but seemed a little hesitant. I mentioned my upcoming trip and where all we could go. In his eyes I could see him trying to contain his excitement.
So soon Gentle Ben and I will make a big trip together. Then he can continue his quest of trying to get (back) to Alaska!
~AlaskanSailors