Category: Uncategorized

  • Ramsay Island






    Shawna called and today they departed Windy Bay and found it was a windy day. Included here is a photo of Shawna working on her diary. Due to the wind they only paddled about 9 nm to Ramsay Island stopping on the way to visit Hotsprings Island. Another bear seen today and this one was a big one. Shawna said they were enjoying a camp fire and when I asked if it was a “white man’s fire” as Leon described in This Is The Sea, she pointedly said NO this is a “white woman’s fire”. Sounds to me like the women may be rebelling against Leon’s iron fisted rule? U Go Girl

    Mike

  • Windy Bay

    Justine called and everyone is well. On Friday they paddled about 13 nm to a campsite on Windy Bay. They spent much of the day exploring the Haida village of Tanu and learning about the culture. One of the things they learned is about an organization of young Haida called the Haida Gwaii Watchmen who are concerned with protecting their heritage and lands. Shawna, Leon & Justine also visited a longhouse used during the negotiations between environmentalists and loggers regarding the fate of what became Gwaii Haanas National Park. Justine said they all were amazed at the massive spruce trees over 1000 years old. I’ve included a map of Haida Gwaii showing the Haida villages including Skedans and Tanu which they have just visited.

  • Porter Head






    Leon called this evening. They are camped at Porter Head which is just before they cross the boundary of and enter Gwaii Haanas National Park. Leon said that as they approach the park the mountains seem to be much larger. On the way they stopped and visited Skedans which is a Haida village. A website with information about the Haida is: http://www.civilization.ca/aborig/haida/hvske01e.html
    They all enjoyed another good day of weather with just a bit of a head wind. They had just enjoyed a delicous dinner of corned beef, mashed potatoes and vegetables when Leon called. Speaking of eating, apparently Leon requires that Justine and Shawna entertain him if they want dinner. Included is a photo of Justine and Shawna playing drums for their dinner and a photo of Justine accepting her prize from Leon.
    Mike

  • Cumshewa Head / Gwaii Haanas National Park


    Justine called tonight and all is well. The circumnavigation of Moresby is underway and the weather and winds continue to be favorable. Yesterday they got a late start and paddled only a short distance of about 4 nm. Today they paddled 24 nm to a camp on Cumshewa Head. The day started out misty and foggy but later brightened. Along the way, they stopped at Sandspit which is known as the gateway to the Gwaii Haanas National Park and the only settlement on Moresby island. They are already beyond the point where the 30 km of roads on the island reach. Today they saw their first bear and gave it a wide berth. There are mostly/only black bears on Moresby but they are generally big. Justine didn’t think this one was that big but then again they weren’t all that close either. Included is a couple of photos taken at the Haida heritage center where they were introduced to the park and its rules. Also courtesty of John Gamba, here is a link to a Haida language website which even has MP3 sound files of the correct pronunciations: http://www.haidalanguage.org/
    Mike