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Chitowntrvl Says: If you love snowboarding, the off the beaten path, back trails kind of boarding, this is a dream. There are no designated ski areas in Unalaska and no chair lifts; but if you hike or hitch a ride on a snowmobile there are some of the most incredible runs I have ever...
Chitowntrvl Says: Most people don't know much about the history of World War II in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. In fact, before travling to this remote Island, I wasn't even aware that this part of the U.S. was bombed by the Japanese during the war. However, remains of the war are visible all over...
kaloz Says: Unless you hire Sheila as your guide, you will probably miss the view (and photo op) from atop Haystack Hill."You gotta see this", says Sheila, as she points the nose of the van skyward on the trail (I am not even going to call this a road). The view is spectacular, but some...
kaloz Says: Sheila drove us to Summer's Bay, on what they call a road (not for the faint of heart). The greenery was lush in mid-August, and offered some pretty views. Along the way, you will see remnants of the military campain from WWII. This is Sheila's nephew at a bunker.The land is...
kaloz Says: Everyone knows Sheila. I highly recommend her as a tour guide. It will not be your typical tour, but more of an adventure. So Buckle up and hang on.Sheila is so full of life, and her attitude is infectious. You will not be dissappointed!Radio ahead on VHF channel 80 as you...
kaloz Says: The most famous landmark in Unalaaska is the first stop on every tour. Father Peter gave us an excellent tour and explained the layout of an Orthodox Church. The Cathedral contains many beautiful icon which are being restored, and the original text of Fr John Veniaminoff (St...
Hiking and fishing are pretty...
LizSitka Says: Hiking and fishing are pretty much the main attractions. The great thing about Unalaska Island is that there are no bears to worry about, unlike most of Alaska. The ground squirrels can be feisty, though. The halibut fishing is world class but honestly - what are you going...
Mountain View Coffee: Who needs Starbucks?
Chitowntrvl Says: Unalaska is a pretty remote place so I was suprised to find an amazingly good coffee shop on the island. Located right off of the main drag through Unalaska/Dutch Harbor is Mountain View Coffee, a drive-through coffee stand that serves a variety of hot and cold specialty...
Family Restaurant: Not sure what kind of food you want?
kaloz Says: Honey, what do you feel like eating tonight? I'm not sure either, let's go to the family restaurant in Unalaska, then we won't have to decide until we get there.Chinese Cuisine, American Food, Japanese Food, Pizza! There is something for everyone. Let's see, I think I will...
Tino's Steakhouse: A Popular Eatery
kaloz Says: Tino's is a Steakhouse with a Mexican/Seafood twist. Our group all ate together and sampled each others fare, so we got a good sampling.The restaurant is clean and the food is good.We were running out of time, so after placing our orders, we snuck out, and had a few drinks...
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"The most notorious bar on the North American continent" by Playboy magazine in the 1970's. Even though they do a good trade in souvenier clothing, the guy behind the bar seems put out that you want souveniers and not more liquor.
The Elbow Room is a bar for hard working, hard drinking fishermen.
Dress Code: Anything goes. If you want to fit in I suggest Xtratuf boots, a filthy hooded sweatshirt or Grundens foul weather gear.
Written Jan 11, 2004
Phone: (907) 581-1271
Website: http://arctic.net/~elbowrm/
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Your choices for transportation are the ferry (search for State of Alaska Marine Highway System) or fly or sail here in your own boat. Ferry- once a month in the summer from Seward or Homer via Kodiak on the Tustemena (the Trusty Tusty). Alaska Air - two jets daily. The 3900' runway is the shortest in the United States to allow 737s to land. Add the surrounding 3000' mountains and the normally 35-50 naut winds to the ocean on both ends of the runway and you're in for a very exciting landing. The runway is in the center of this picture, hanging on the side of Ballyhoo Mountain.
The city built bike paths but it's risky - people have been known to be blown right off. People like me will stop for your thumb, especially if it's raining sideways, or you can take a fairly spendy taxi.
Written Oct 4, 2002
kaloz Says: I saw this on the visitors bureau web page. Just thought you should know.Alcohol Ordinance: It is illegal to buy alcohol on Sundays in the City of Unalaska, unless when purchased with a complete meal. No alcohol is available for purchase while election polls are open.I guess...
kaloz Says: After several miles on torturous roads we came to a beach area, and there was a "porta-let". I was surprised. We just usually go in the wild. So this must be for tourists, or maybe because the beach area could be crowded, and you don't want to "hang out" though it was a...
There's quite a bit of history...
LizSitka Says: There's quite a bit of history evident around here. The onangon people, throughout history, the Russians in the last two centuries and remnants of World War II. This bunker overlooks Dutch Harbor and is a steep hike or reasonable 4WD ride for a visit.
kaloz Says: The Alaska Marine Highway Ferry is not designed for tourists. Your arrival in Unalaska is early in the morning and you depart around noon. So nothing is open!Not even the information center!Here we are posed in front of the visitor information center which was closed (haha)I...
kaloz Says: I highly recommend Sheila for a tour of Unalaska, but pay attention! We were climbing up this gravel road and we started smelling something. We had to stop and put oil in her van! Between the seats, Sheila keeps spare parts, just in case (haha). Among the parts were...
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Be aware that the Oonalashka Corporation owns all the land surrounding the city and requires permits for hiking - I think it's $5/day or $25/year. You get the picture. Also, they're fussy about how you use the land. No mountain bikes or trail horses (both can leave permanent damage in fragile muskeg) but snow machines are okay once there's enough snow to protect the foliage. Birding is pretty good here - tons of water fowl and eagles. Bald eagles, like these, hang out around town because they're aren't many other perches available throughout the Aleutian Islands.
Written Oct 4, 2002
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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring rain gear or you'll be very, very sorry.
Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: I'm a fan of saving money by bringing my tent when traveling but to be honest, almost every morning when I wake up to the wind/rain/sleet driving against the house, I'm very glad I'm staying inside walls. If you plan to camp plan to tie down well.
Written Oct 4, 2002
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Favorite thing: In mid-August Unalaska is very green. And we were lucky to have a glorious day of sunshine. The firweed is in bloom, and you can see the huge monkshood in this picture along with a salmonberry.
They say that the Aleutian Islands are the birthplace of storms, and the rains are why this greenery is so lush, but the winds can be harsh, and there are no trees.
Hiking is not allowed without permission.
Fondest memory: Sheila took us on a wild ride along the road?! system to Summers Bay.
Written Jan 11, 2004
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Unalaska Alaska -- not an oxymoron
Many visitors refer to this area as Dutch Harbor. Locals tell me that Dutch Harbor refers to the water, and Unalaska is the land. I am a bit more generous, giving Dutch the area that supports the...
I just moved here 10/01. The first two days, at least, have been sunny and beautiful. During my visits over the years I'd never seen the sun - only clouds and rain and lots of wind (it's said that...
There's more to it than you'd think
Before moving to Chicago to go to university I had lived in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor for almost 10 years, and loved it. It is definately a remote place, 800 miles south west of Anchorage in the Aleutian...
Unalaska was home for my wife and I for 18 years. It is mistakenly (but better) known as Dutch Harbor and I've transferred all my tips over to the Dutch Harbor page. I worked in the shipping...
Build your own Unalaska page
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