As the year comes to a close, the buzz of fireworks spreads through the population of Dutch Harbor and Unalaska as quickly as... well... fire.
Today is December 30, 2009, and as we speak the fireworks display is being set up. Every year, many people come to watch the beautiful bright colors and designs light up the sky. In some previous years, clouds have eerily crawled their way across the mountains and into Front Beach where the display is held every year, and the colors have been blanketed and even exaggerated by the mist.
Tomorrow night at 12:00, the fireworks will go off in an annual celebration of a year done well.
How is this possible, in such a small town? The city decides to order a large set of fireworks and then volunteers set them up on the far side of the bay. Many people are greatful for this, not only as entertainment but also for relaxation and refreshment.
When the year ends and the new decade begins, we'll all look back with a cup of coffee from the coffee hut and smile just thinking about it.
On 28 April 1789 a group of sailors led by Fletcher Christian seized control of HMS Bounty. Seeking to escape the inevitable British punishment, Christian and eight mutineers, along with 12 women (whom they took as wives) and six men from Tahiti, settled Pitcairn, a volcanic island first sighted in 1767. Every Eden has its serpents, however, and all the Tahitian men and nearly all the mutineers died when the Tahitians revolted. Other mutineers died from alcohol, internecine violence, and disease until only John Adams remained. Under his stewardship, peace returned, and the surviving 10 women and 23 children persevered. Today, Pitcairn remains isolated and rarely visited, inhabited by roughly 60 direct descendants of the Bounty mutineers.
More than 60 years earlier, and thousands of miles north of Pitcairn, Danish sea captain Vitus Bering undertook two voyages of geopolitical and scientific significance. Tsar Peter the Great commissioned Bering to explore the Siberian Far East and Alaska, to determine if Asia and America were separate continents, and to map the American west coast. During his explorations Bering discovered the southern route around Kamchatka; founded the town of Petropavlosk; built two ships, the St. Peter and St. Paul; and sighted the Alaskan mainland.
Returning to Russia, the St. Peter wrecked on an uninhabited island Bering. He, along with almost half the crew, died of scurvy and was interred on the island. Although Bering perished, his explorations had a lasting and profound impact on the exploration and settlement of the Russian Far East and the west coast of North America - the sea, strait, and island named for him reflecting his importance
where the fresh water meets the ocean, the snow covers the land like a soft crisp coat. The days are shorter and the air has the delight of the holidays.
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." -John Muir
HEY ALL!! Another busy week here at the visitors center! I just wanted to share some photos from last weeks Elderhostel Group. You may or may not be familar with the Elderhostel program but basically it's an opportunity for people over 55 to take short-term academic experiences all over the world. This year we had 14 individuals participate in the "Unalaska Adventure". Most of the participants were from interior Alaska and had always wanted to come out here so they took this opportunity to do so. It was a wonderful week and I want to thank everyone who helped make it happen (Bobbie Lekanoff, Brian Stockman, Reid Brewer, Mayor Shirley, Jeff Dickrell, Sharon Svarny-Livingston, Susan Lynch, Don Graves, Michelle Cochran, Grand Aleutian Hotel, Unalaska Public Library Staff, Brenda Wallace, & Sherry Frayram) A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!!
We just wanted to share some photo's with you. We've been doing a lot of exploring and can't wait to show you more pictures from all of our adventures. Now if only we could get some more sunshine.....
We've been hearing rumors and now we can confirm that the whales have been hanging out between Little South America and back side of Hog Island. So if you have a boat now is a good time to go whale watching!
Sorry we've been SO busy we haven't got a chance to post anything! Between the cruise ship arrivals, reports, redesigning our website(Which should be launched soon STAY TUNED) and everything else we've been up too... posting a NEW blog just wasn't an option :)
BUT- We have been exploring our islands and its beautiful out right now! If you're looking for a new adventure take a hike up to Pyramid. There are countless waterfalls, green valleys, meadows of wild flowers and lots of photo opportunities!
Don't forget to visit the OC and get your land permit first!
Discover all that Unalaska Port of Dutch Harbor has to offer! This beautiful island is full of unforgettable sites & scenery that you won't find anywhere else. We hope you enjoy our blog and for additional information please see our websitehttp://www.unalaska.info/ or don't ever hesitate to call us at (907)581-2612 or 1-877-581-2612. Start exploring today!!
We are so excited to start blogging about the hidden gems this island has to offer. Here at the visitors bureau we want everyone to know how truly wonderful this island is.
Looking into the Port
We were lucky enough to see the whales 
The brave hikers!
Looking into the Valley 
It was REALLY windy up there
MmMmMMmMM We have been LOVING all the Salmon Berries!!
Beautiful blue sky!
We've been hearing rumors and now we can confirm that the whales have been hanging out between Little South America and back side of Hog Island. So if you have a boat now is a good time to go whale watching!
Sorry we've been SO busy we haven't got a chance to post anything! Between the cruise ship arrivals, reports, redesigning our website(Which should be launched soon STAY TUNED) and everything else we've been up too... posting a NEW blog just wasn't an option :)
BUT- We have been exploring our islands and its beautiful out right now! If you're looking for a new adventure take a hike up to Pyramid. There are countless waterfalls, green valleys, meadows of wild flowers and lots of photo opportunities!
The drive over the pass right now is BEAUTIFUL. This was taken Saturday night. We didn't see the horses but the views were pretty amazing!
