Kodiak, the principal town on Kodiak Island (87 miles south of the Kenai Peninsula), and home to Alaska's largest fishing fleet, was the capital of Russian America from 1783 to 1799. For a taste of Alaska's Russian heritage, visit the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Baranof Museum (located in Alaska's oldest wooden structure, a historic fur storehouse).  Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the Kodiak Archipelago, and bird watching is a main attraction. A special wildlife viewing opportunity is found at Miller Point within Ft. Abercrombie State Historic Park. During the early summer, gray, humpback, and mink whales can be spotted as they migrate through nearby Whale Passage. Fort Abercrombie provides a lush forest setting for picnics and camping.  The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1941 to protect the habitat of the brown bear. Besides the brown bear there are only five other native land mammals on Kodiak: red fox, river otter, short-tailed weasel, little brown bat, and tundra vole. Black-tailed deer, beaver and several other species of mammals have been successfully introduced to the island.”

            Logistics:  Kodiak (PADQ) is a 30-45 minute flight from Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula.  It has a paved surface airport.

 

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