We departed Auke Bay thinking we would reach Gustavus or Bartlet Cove in Glacier National Park. As we entered Icy Strait the wind picked up and continued until it reached 28 knots gusting to 30. We had an opposing tide which caused a serious chop and confused seas and our speed over ground dwindled to 4.8 knots. We changed course and headed for Hoonah on Chichagof Island. Once in the shadow of the mountains we experienced relief from the wind.
The Huna Tlingit Tribe's original villages were located in what is now Glacier Bay. The advancing glaciers of a small ice age 200 years ago caused the tribe to relocate to their summer camp 20 miles to the south and thus the village of Hoonah meaning: "land where the north wind does not blow" became their home. To this day it is the largest Tlingit community in Alaska and a welcome port in a storm.
When The Icy Strait Cannery closed the village of Hoonah was devastated and had a bleak future. The people got together with an innovative idea to convert the old cannery into a native cultural center and a port of call for cruise ships and other tourists. The main buildings are renovated cannery buildings going back nearly 100 years-Icy Strait Point was once the home of one of the world's most productive salmon canneries. These are now the buildings that house the gift shops, museums and restaurants, all open while a ship is in port. It employs most of the village's residents.
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