Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Cordova--Destination Adventure


Cordova is a real working town, a picturesque fishing village nestled at the base of the Chugach mountains in the heart of a spectacular wilderness, still looking to the ocean and forests for its livelihood.


It has the pleasures of a sophisticated small town, step-out-the-door access to adventure, and is pleasantly off the beaten path of Alaska tourism. There is still no road to Cordova, but you can get there on the Alaska Marine Highway System as we did or by commuter plane.

Its rustic charm can transport visitors back in time to rural America of the mid-twentieth century.

Once in Cordova, you can drive 50 miles out of town to the Million Dollar Bridge, built in 1910 to help haul copper ore 196 miles from the Kennicott Mine to the coast.

 There is nothing along this mostly gravel road but scenery and wildlife.



                                                            Nootka Lupine
                                                                 Bull Moose

                            Grizzly Bears have a hump over their shoulders.
  The Copper River Delta is a major birding area and we were not disappointed.

                                        Trumpeter Swans with Cignets

                                                          Bald Eagles

                                                     Northern Hawk Owl

                                                Baby Short-Eared Owl

                                                    Dusky Canada Goose
     This is the only known nesting place in the world for the Dusky Canada Goose.

                                             
We stopped at the fish processing plant on our way out of town to buy fresh Copper River Red Salmon, said to be the tastiest in the world, and received their five cent tour.




If you're in love with wilderness, fascinated with history, attracted to unique places and dedicated to adventure, Cordova is the destination for you.


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