Windy Bay

July 26, 2007
Time: 0915 Hrs: 1043.7
Humidity: 80% Temp: 18 C. Mostly cloudy, but not raining. We can see some small bits of blue sky here and there. The forecast is for this weather to move towards the mainland but another front is coming in behind it.
Lv: Powrivco Bay, Lyell Island
Course: East and then south along Lyell Island shoreline to next Haida Heritage Site, Hlk’yah Llnagaay (Windy Bay) > Murchison Island anchorage
This is also an old Haida Village but the totem poles and house supports are all gone. It was abandoned long before the other villages and all that is visibly left are a few depressions in the soil where houses once stood and cedar trees that have had some of their bark removed (for baskets, clothing, ropes, etc). Windy Bay is the site where, in 1985, the Haida took their stand over logging on Lyell Island. Their protest ultimately led to the protection of the area and the creation of the Park. Our tour guide takes us on a one hour walk through the old growth forest to see a 1000 year old hemlock and cedar tree. Magnificent!
Arv: Murchison Island, north side
Lat: 52 35.65 N
Lon: 131 28.00 W
Time: 1710
Trip: oops forgot to record this information.
This anchorage has a mooring buoy for use by park visitors. It is easy to tie up to it, and then we get the kayaks out and go for a paddle around the island. We get out along the shore and explore the beach and nearby forest. I can’t believe how clear the water is here and so full of life. When we get back to the boat, I put on my wet suit and snorkel gear. I do some snorkeling/diving close to the shore as Jerry sits close by in the dingy reading a book (we put an anchor down on the dingy). The bottom is almost covered with purple sea urchins, turban snails, and starfish. Here and there I can see giant rock scallops. Finally I find one I can reach; dinner for tomorrow! I spend over an hour looking around until it starts to get too dark to see anymore.