Janey Heard Janey Heard

The Bear Essentials: Safety, Signs, and Seasonal Behavior

🌲 Welcome to Living the Teacher Life

Hi, I’m Janey—trail runner, teacher, and lover of wild places. Living the Teacher Life is a space for those who feel most alive under open skies, on winding trails, and around campfires. Whether you're chasing sunrise miles through golden aspens, hiking rugged switchbacks, foraging for fall flavors, or sleeping under the stars, this blog celebrates the deep connection between movement, nature, and joy.

Here, you’ll find:

  • Trail-tested gear tips for every season

  • Seasonal fueling ideas using local and foraged ingredients

  • Reflections from the backcountry and quiet forest paths

  • Stories that blend running, hiking, camping, and foraging into a lifestyle rooted in curiosity, resilience, and renewal

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir

🐻 Bear Myths & Outdoor Truths

Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood parts of outdoor adventure: bears.

Myth #1: Bears are aggressive and always looking for a fight.
Truth: Most bears want nothing to do with humans. They’re shy, curious, and will usually retreat if they sense you.

Myth #2: If you see a bear, run.
Truth: Running can trigger a chase response. Instead, stay calm, speak in a firm voice, and slowly back away.

Myth #3: Playing dead works for all bears.
Truth: Playing dead may help in a defensive grizzly encounter, but with black bears, standing your ground and making noise is often more effective.

🐾 Understanding Bear Communication Signs

Bears don’t speak our language—but they do communicate clearly if we know what to look for:

  • Huffing or woofing: A warning that the bear feels threatened. Time to back away slowly.

  • Jaw popping or clacking: A stress signal—this bear is uncomfortable.

  • Standing on hind legs: Not aggression—just curiosity. The bear is trying to get a better look or smell.

  • Bluff charging: A bear may run toward you but stop short. It’s trying to scare you off. Stay calm, don’t run, and speak firmly.

Learning these signs helps us coexist respectfully and safely with wildlife.

🥾 How to Store Food in Bear Country

Whether you’re trail running with snacks or camping overnight, food safety is essential in bear country:

  • Use bear-proof containers or bear bags: Hang bear bags at least 10–15 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the trunk of a tree.

  • Never store food in your tent: Even sealed snacks can attract bears.

  • Cook and eat away from your sleeping area: Ideally, 100 yards away.

  • Pack out all trash and food scraps: Bears have an incredible sense of smell—don’t leave a trail.

Bonus tip: If you’re foraging, store wild edibles like berries and mushrooms the same way you would store food—securely and away from your sleeping area.

🌟 Ready to Hit the Trail?

Whether you're running through golden leaves, foraging for wild berries, or camping under a starlit sky—Running for Joy is here to walk (and run) beside you. This is a space to learn, reflect, and reconnect with the rhythms of the wild.

Subscribe for weekly inspiration, seasonal guides, trail-tested tips, and stories that remind us why we keep coming back to the outdoors—for joy, for peace, and for the adventure.

📚 References

🐻 Bear Myths & Outdoor Truths

🐾 Understanding Bear Communication

🥾 Food Storage in Bear Country

🌲 Quote Attribution

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
— John Muir, Steep Trails (1918)

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Janey Heard Janey Heard

🌲 Why I Started Living the Teacher Life: A Journey Back to Nature

This blog is my way of honoring all of that. It’s a place to share trail-tested tips, seasonal reflections, outdoor adventures, and the quiet magic that comes from moving through nature with intention and joy.

Hi friends, Janey here—trail runner, teacher, and lifelong outdoor enthusiast. I started Living the Teacher LIfe because nature has always been my grounding place. This blog is a space to share my love for trail running, hiking, camping, and the simple, soul-filling joy of being outside.

From the time I was little, I felt at home in the outdoors. I’d collect rocks and give them to my mom like they were treasures. I made mud pies with serious pride, caught snakes in her backyard (sorry again, Mom!), and created leaf blankets to curl up in under the trees. I would play “pioneer girls” with my neighbor friends and our dolls. We would collect cat tails and wild berries for “soup.” I didn’t know it then, but I was building a lifelong relationship with the natural world. I felt at home out there—in the dirt, the wind, the quiet.

Nature wasn’t just a playground—it was my sanctuary.

As I’ve grown, that connection has only deepened. I feel most at peace when I’m hiking through pine forests, running mountain trails, or sitting by a campfire under a sky full of stars. I love the smell of vanilla in sun-warmed pine trees, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and the way a perfectly toasted s’more can make any day better. The sounds of nature—birdsong, wind through the trees, the crackle of a fire—are music to my ears.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir

This blog is my way of sharing that joy. Whether you’re a trail runner chasing sunrise miles, a hiker exploring new terrain, a camper soaking in the quiet, or a forager looking for seasonal treasures—Living the Teacher Life is for you.

Here, you’ll find:

  • Trail running tips for all seasons

  • Hiking guides and reflections from the trail

  • Camping inspiration and gear recommendations

  • Foraging ideas and seasonal outdoor recipes

  • Stories that celebrate the healing power of nature

Let’s explore together. Subscribe for weekly posts filled with outdoor inspiration, gear reviews, seasonal guides, and stories that remind us why we keep coming back to the wild—for peace, for adventure, and for joy.

See you on the trail. 🌿

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