Happy Easter to all!!!<
Maggie Boarding
Maggie Prevenas boarding the SAAB plane destined for Dutch Harbor
So I arrived in Dutch Harbor, which is also Unalaska, AK confused and wondering, what is up with this place? A possible identity issue? I found the answer though, in their welcome guide of all places. I have a feeling this question comes up a lot.
Welcome Sign
Welcome sign at baggage claim in the Dutch Harbor airport
According to local historian, Ray Hudson, Unalaska is a corruption of the original island name of Agunalaksh. This area was renamed by the Spanish, again by the Russians, and eventually to a more manageable Ounalashka that led to Unalaska. The harbor was named by the Russians for the first vessel to enter the harbor, which happened to be Dutch. Just remember the legal name of the community is the city of Unalaska, home of the International Port of Dutch Harbor.
So I did get to ride over on the plane with, Maggie Prevenas, the NOAA Teacher at Sea and fellow PolarTREC teacher. As we waited for the plane, we caught up on all the whirlwind of activity that we both had been doing as we prepared for this expedition.
The flight took a little over three hours and as we began to head for The Grand Aleutian we had our first setback. Maggie's luggage didn't make it on the plane. We were assured it would be on the next. No worries as Maggie would say. I don't know the status yet because I have been in my room writing but I will give an update when I find out. Yeah!!! She got her luggage!!! Maggie was down working hard on her journals too.
Dutch Harbor View
A beautiful view around Dutch Harbor after landing