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

FUORTU SESW

plants lial. 3063 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, B.C.

984-981 A

10” Coleus | Reg. $7.99

6" FE tsia

Reg. $2. 95 $y

give @ plant for Valentine’ S Day ' A Lasting Gift of Love >

: Somethin’ Fishy is moving four doors south on Lonsdale, and we're having a sale to celebrate

Deluxe

Modern Coiffures

Wostlynn Mall,

North Vancouvor

neons.,............ 9 for $1.00 - cardinal tetras... 2 for $1.00 algae eaters...... 2 for $1.00 serpae............. 4 for $1.00 | platies seseaveveee 2f07 $4.00 |

st rawberry finches zebras

large oscars to clear’

Dynafto filters - —— “model 410...........6..: 20.99 . model 425... 27.99

‘silent giant’ "pumps, 29.99

‘ on) my

redear waxbills (reg. $22. 99 a pair) n now 7

18.99 apr.

tri coloured nun (reg. $14.99 each) now 10.99 normal male cockatiels................ $89.95 each - plus many | more exotic birds

15 gal. aquarium set | plants & ornaments)

(complete with AL. 9

“Silent Giant” pumps 29.’ 9

Som etlhimn?’ Fishy |

1935 Lonsdale 980-5314

‘ ' i H + 4 *:

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987.4221