A view of Dutch Harbor from Unalaska. The island of Unalaska is approximately 80 square miles in size with an elevation as high as 6,680 feet at the top of Makushin Volcano. The Port of Dutch Harbor, which is part of the City of Unalaska, is located on Amaknak Island and is connected to Unalaska by bridge. The population of the City of Unalaska is about 4,300. The population triples between August and May due to the arrival of commercial fisherman.

Aleutian WWII National Historic Area Visitor Center in Unalaska

One of the major attractions in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska is the many ruins still remaining from WWII. On June 3 and 4, 1942, Unalaska was the first in a series of four Aleutian islands attacked by the Japanese, followed by Adak, Attu and Kiska. The WWII attack left behind 63 casualties (35 which resulted in loss of life), and many historic and accessible landmarks like bunkers and pillboxes which can be seen all across the island.

Robert standing in the middle of a gunnery site

There were scores of bald eagles everywhere! This area is one of the most heavily populated eagle habitats in the world with literally hundred of eagles, including bald and golden, which live on the island.

The economic base of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor is the commercial fishing industry. About half the people in the community are directly involved and over 90% of the jobs depend on commercial fishing in some way. The Port of Dutch Harbor is considered to be the busiest commercial fishing port in the United States, servicing over 600 vessels including: trawlers, long-liners, crab boats, cargo ships, floating factory processors, and even the occasional cruise ship.

While walking around the WWII sites, we came across this red fox.

Some of the fishing boats docked at Dutch Harbor. Unalaska/Dutch Harbor processes millions of pounds of fish and seafood annually including king, dungeness and tanner crab, red and pink salmon, herring, halibut and pollock - which is mainly used for surimi.

A beautiful waterfall just outside of town

Crab traps like these could be seen all over the island

More fishing boats

Another bald eagle hangin' out on top of a boat

We couldn't go to the fishing capital of the U.S. and not fish!

"The Dentist (Dr. Michaels!) is Coming to Town" This sign was posted on the bulletin board at the local grocery store!

Aleut and Russian heritage is prevalent in Unalaska. This is the oldest Russian Orthodox church in North America. Originally constructed in 1825 then renovated and enlarged in 1896, the historic Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension of Christ, which overlooks Iliuliuk Bay, has stood on the island through harsh weather and the Japanese attack on the Aleutian islands in 1942.

Just off the coast during one of our days venturing around. The Aleutian Chain is considered to be part of the ‘Ring of Fire,’ that surrounds the outermost areas of the Pacific Rim. Volcanic activity is present throughout the Aleutian Chain with the most distinctive of all the volcanic attractions, Makushin Volcano, found here on Unalaska. Makushin towers high above out island at an altitude of 6,680 feet. Its last official eruption was an ash discharge in 1980, but hot springs and fumaroles in the area indicate that it is still active.