We docked at
Kodiak in time to meet our 8:15 tour to Ft. Abercrombie State Park. What a
great place! Our driver gave a running commentary as we went past the fishing harbour
and numerous canning factories that are the economic engine of this area. At
the park he pointed out many kinds of plants and trees, and we climbed through
the forest to points overlooking the shore and water.
We didn’t see much
wildlife: a nuthatch, some ducks, seagulls and a bald eagle,
but we heard some
good bear stories. The World War II batteries at the high point of our hike
revealed a part of history with which I was unfamiliar – the Japanese
occupation of some of the other Aleutian Islands. Larry was fascinated by the
military museum that is now in one of the bunkers, especially the
communications electronics part of it. Back in town we visited a small museum
in an old Russian building, and learned about the presence of Russia here in
early times, as well as the earthquake and tsunami that nearly obliterated
Kodiak in the 1960s. Back on board we enjoyed a late lunch and some relaxation
