Need a break? Want to work hard and spend hours waiting for bear, take a thousand pictures in a few minutes of one of the most beautiful bears in the world? Then the lagoon below the fish pass on the Dog Salmon River on Kodiak Island is for you.

The influence of the north Pacific Ocean keeps the weather changing to the point where it’s not even necessary to listen to the forecast because you know it won’t be accurate. A week in a Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge cabin on Frazer Lake is the perfect fit. Kodiak bears inhabit the entire area so be aware when using the facilities at night. Wild flowers cover the meadows below the mountains and there is no sign of humans other than the drone of an occasional float plane carrying bear viewers to a site on the Dog Salmon River. Don’t forget your hip boots. No Alaskan will forgive you for not anchoring your boat offshore and wading back in to keep the toy away from the bears. Minnesota is known for it’s nice people but the Alaskans would rate next in line. They love to share their beautiful land and their independent lifestyle with you.