Like most Alaskans, your hosts migrated from "the south".  Since every US state is south of Alaska, even Washington state qualifies as "down south".  Arriving here from Seattle in 1971, Bob and Val Horner settled in the Mendenhall Valley with their first of two daughters.  Their second daughter is officially a "local", born in Juneau in 1975.

Having a B&B was a dream of Val's since her first stay in one during a trip to Bethel, Alaska, in 1985.  She and Bob opened Bears Run in 1999, filling their empty nest with guests from around the world.

Bob is a master carpenter.  He built Bears Run in 1974, and remodeled it in 1999.  In June, 2005, Val retired from her work for the State of Alaska.  Avid travelers, they go "outside" or visit the "lower 48" often.  They share many hobbies, including boating, whale watching, and gardening.  Bob also enjoys fly fishing and classic cars.  Val's hobbies are cooking, genealogy, painting, and quilting.

Ivar-the-Cat  also lives at Bears Run.   Ivar loves the outdoors, however, he is eagle-snack size and indoors much of the time.

Revised 07/15/08