By Neil G. Carey

For all who enjoy outdoor recreation, the Queen
Charlotte Islands offer an. unusual and: varied
holiday where you may relax, away from crushing |
crowds. Instead of fighting traffic, you willshare |

sha ggy-h faired cattle,

bounding

blacktail deer and, occasionally, an ambling black

the roads with

bear. | |
The “Charlottes” are a |

triangular archipelago. of

- some 150 islands and: ‘islets,

156 miles long by a third as
wide, forming the western
shore of Hecate Strait. Their

‘moist and moderate climate
- results

from the warm
Kuroshio current swelling
around the Pacific rim,

‘carrying along glass balls

torn from Japanese fishing
gear, treasures for lucky
beachcombers.

SLOWER PACE

Life’s pace in the Char-.
lottes is slower. There’s time —
to enjoy i a friendly chat with a

visitor; to watch a bald eagle |

thermalling; to behold the
flood tide swashing up the
beach. Here, except for great
trees, large salmon = and
steelhead, all things, includ-
ing problems, seem smaller.
Streams are shorter, moun-
tain peaks lower—under
4,000 feet—and finger-like
inlets seldom more than five
miles long.

The climate is conducive to
year-around enjoyment

OLD TOTEM carvings on the

of .

‘camping, hiking, “boating,
-rockhounding, . ‘beach-_
combing,” Scuba. and” skin ~
diving’. mountain climbing,
-nature’ study, fishing,

unking, — cycling and other
activities.

Graham Island's spacious
‘north and east coast, around ©
Naikoon Provincial Park, has
miles of smooth, golden sand.
beaches where : delectable
razor clams may be dug.

Numerous islands  dec-
orate _the east coast of
-Moresby Asland, protecting
tree-flanked - waterways es-
pecially attractive to boaters
and divers. A soak in the tub

at. Hotspring Island ‘Is a
must.

HAIDA arnwacts

Near the turn of this
century survivors of | deci-
mated Haida villages: moved
from their scattered ances-
tral grounds and gathered at
‘two sites, both on Graham
Island. Haida, two miles
north of Masset, is home for

Queen Charloties (B.C. Govt photo] _

*

a

spel- .

sea-going «
-canoes.

“bai

over “800 Haidas. ‘Here,
1969, the first Island totem
“carved in 100. years was
erected near. the church.
Other. new totems now. stand -
front of | “a” museum ‘
isplaying Haid da ai rtifacts.

- Skidepate | Mission; east of

Queen. Charlotte City, is an.
attractive settlement of some
300. Haidas,..where a ‘single

totem faces. a ‘shore. once

thick with tall carved. poles

and. crowded with — giant

cedar. ~. dugout
a. good —

the islands’ past and pres- —
ent.

‘Haida. artisans © in. -both .
S. carve. argillite—a__
black, slate-like rock unique
to the Slatechuck Mountains
—into small totems |
brooches. Others work: with

gold or silver, creating rings, .

bracelets, brooches and ear-
rings of delicate lines and -
exquisite beauty,. useful
mementos of your not-to-be-
forgotten vacation.

"SCHEDULED FLIGHTS

Most visitors’ arrive at.

Sandspit—the Charlottes
only airport—via Pacific
Western . Airlines — daily
(except Wednesday) jet
flight from Vancouver or from

Prince Rupert on Trans-—

ea
ean

Nearby -is a new
regiona] museum,
place to get acquainted with.

and .

‘there is’

Provincial Airlines, or North |
Coast Air Service amphib-
ians, landing at Masset.
Seaplanes operating out of
-Masset and Sandspit main--
_ tain scheduled flights to most -

communities, and are avail-

able for charier> to ‘remote
areas. - ; .

~ Most tourists prefer to rent”
autos in Masset, Port Clem-
ents,. Queen” Charlotte City,
_or. Sandspit, locations ‘of the’
islands’ only . hotels,. motels _
and. ‘cafes. M.V. Kwuna, a
new :25-car — ferry, makes _
frequent. scheduled. crossing ©
from Alliford Bay, on Mores-*
by “Island; to Skidegate _
Landing, on Graham Island. .
(Vehicle ‘and’ driver: $1. 50.
Passengers: 50 cents).

In addition “to over 125.
miles of good public roads, -
there are hundreds of. miles
of. privately - owned logging.
roads: snaking through. val-
leys or coiling up hillsides,
leading ‘to scenic camping |
spots ‘or fishing streams.
These roads are normally
accessible . after working
hours: or on weekends. For
those desiring to photograph
abandoned Haida villages,
boat or float plane is needed.

For anyone desiring a
restful vacation, away from a
throng of. tourists, where
little ‘‘planned”’
recreation, only nature ready
to show. her beauty in sun or
shower during any season,
the diversified and relaxing.
Queen Charlotte — Islands
offer a = memorable and
distinctive holiday. .

our newest addition... —

GLORIA

A professional in porms, body waves, cuts and blow
drys, Gloria invites her many friends and customers

to her new ‘location.

‘

BEACH on the Queen

Charlotte

Govt photo}

.
g

Islands 1B C.

ena

night tables
lamps.
sbookeacae |
qgrawers (3, 5
& 6, otc.|

stereo-benches..
2 tsble & chairs -
sofa & chairs.
Queen size beds

_ CHARGEX*MASTERCHARGE

Come dowa & BROWSE. [1
EASY PARKING —
1 LOCATION ONLY

INS i ANT Ba AmONEenarAnee

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North Vancouver, B.C.

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platies seseaveveee 2f07 $4.00 |

st rawberry finches
zebras

large oscars to clear’

Dynafto filters - ——
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‘silent giant’ "pumps, 29.99

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