Supernatural Sunsets

Some people travel around the world to see gorgeous sunsets. I am lucky enough to see them right from my balcony. Tonight the sun slipped below the gathering clouds before dipping behind the mountains of Vancouver Island. It just doesn't get much better than this!



Come visit Powell River this summer and grab a sunset for yourself. Want to learn more about Powell River before you arrive? Grab a good book from www.PowellRiverBooks.com. Hiking, boating, flying, quadding, fishing, exploring - there's something for everyone.

ABC Wednesday: R is for Rocks

Powell Lake is a very "rocky" place. Ancient volcanoes that formed the BC coast range have eroded over time leaving their granite intrusions exposed. Over time and with the help of ice age glaciers, huge outcroppings have been broken down and released into streams, rivers and ultimately the lake. Here are a few of my favourite rock shots.

This solid granite outcrop is in my cabin's "back yard."
An intrusive dike visible at the water's edge.
A rock with a large, distinctive inclusion.
Thanks for looking at my rock pictures. If you would like to see more, click here. For more information about ABC Wednesdays go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place by clicking here. You will find additional "R" picture links posted there. -- Margy

Texada Island Airport Fly-in Coming July 13

My friend Dale of the Westview Flying Club took me flying yesterday to take some aerial photos of Texada Island for an upcoming issue of Powell River Living Magazine. Usually I'm the one flying, but this time I had my own personal pilot, quite a luxury. Thanks Dale!!

On the July 12-13 weekend, Van Anda, a now quiet but former mining boom town on Texada Island, will be having a special Heritage Society sponsored Van Anda Days. Included will be a Texada Island (Gillies Bay) Airport Fly-in on Sunday, July 13, with your's truly, my husband Wayne, giving slide presentations about his new book Up the Airway.

The fly-in will have lots for pilots and non-pilots alike. Pilots can come and stay at the airport campground for a weekend of fun. Just looking at the planes and talking to the pilots is worth a visit. A pancake breakfast will kick things off at 9:00 a.m. That will be followed by displays, presentations, live entertainment, games for kids and a lunch BBQ. Weather permitting, the Fraser Blues will be doing a flight demonstration at 2:30 p.m.

If you are flying in, please call ahead to reserve a parking or airplane camping spot by July 11. You can reach Gary or Cheri Bainbridge at (604) 486-0037 or send an e-mail to texadaannualflyin@gmail.com. For more details about the event and runway, click here. Wayne and I hope to see you there. - Margy

PhotoHunt: Candy

Each Saturday tnchick, the sponsor of PhotoHunt, announces a theme. Then participants worldwide post pictures on their own blogs or websites to share. This week's theme is candy.

There are many commonalities between the US and Canada, but there are also many differences. One area of difference you might not have guessed is candy. Candy manufacturers do not always offer the same product line on both sides of the border. An example is my all time favourite snack treat, Coffee Crisp by Nestle. This delectable concoction has light crispy wafers layered with coffee creme and covered with milk chocolate. A ride on my quad wouldn't be the same without a Coffee Crisp in my lunch pack. As of Fall 2006, by popular demand they are available in some US stores. They are also available online. So without further ado, my entry for the category of candy is ...

San Juan Island Hopping

Today was the first really good flying day in months. We keep our Piper Arrow, lovingly called 997, in a hanger here at Bellingham International Airport. When we are in town, we like go exploring. Today we decided to do some island hopping out in the San Juan Islands.

Our first stop was Anacortes Airport. It's not technically part of the San Juan Islands, but it's a popular jumping off point for visitors and residents. Here you can catch a ferry or a flight to the islands. If you have your own plane, Anacortes makes a good day trip or overnight destination. If you like boats, don't miss the upcoming Trawler Fest from May 22-25, 2008.

By car it takes us about 45 minutes to drive to Anacortes from Bellingham. By plane, it's only minutes away. You no sooner get up to altitude (2500 feet), then it's time to descend for the traffic pattern. The 3015' runway has been recently paved. There are trees at both ends, but the 241' elevation and cool sea breezes make approaches and departures fairly comfortable for most aircraft. Self-service fuel is available and ample parking. Because the airport is several miles from town, it would be a long walk to restaurants and lodging. Anacortes Van and Taxi or Anacortes Cab could get you there and back with ease. For anyone needing a ride to the islands, San Juan Airlines has scheduled service from Anacortes. You can also charter a plane for Victoria or other BC destination.

From Anacortes we overflew Lopez Island Airport. We'll save landing for another day. Lopez is a quiet island that we want to explore at a more leisurely pace. Before we knew it, we were at Friday Harbor Airport on San Juan Island. We've been here before and love the user friendly runway location. Transient parking is within a few minutes walk of downtown. You can read about last year's visit, including a bike ride to meet Mona the Camel, by clicking here. Our tummies were growling, so we headed right for our favourite restaurant, Downriggers. It's right on the waterfront with great views of the boats and ferries. We were stuffed when we left, but couldn't resist an ice cream cone from a nearby establishment. Licking our sweet treats (mine was black cherry, yum!!), we headed back to the airport and a short flight home to Bellingham.

Are you looking for a fun afternoon? Try some island hopping, San Juan style. Fly high and fast. Maybe we'll see you in the friendly skies. - Margy

How to Dock a Big Ship

On Saturday, May 3, the HMCS Edmonton docked at the Westview pier. The Edmonton is a maritime coastal defence vessel (MCDV) manned primarily by reservists. She was here to participate in Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies on Texada Island. While the Edmonton was in Powell River, she was open for public viewing, quite a thrill.

While the Edmonton was docking, there was a stiff wind coming from the northwest. It was amazing to watch the crew work as a well practiced team to get the ship tied up to the pier. It also gave an opportunity for the local Sea Cadets to get some exciting hands-on experience.

In the stiff breeze, it took a few runs at the pier. First the ship angled towards the end of the pier. A heaving line was thrown to crew already stationed on the pier. Then the hefty dock line was hauled up and attached to a cleat on the pier. Using a combination of engine work and dock line placement, the ship was "walked" forward along the pier and into final position.

When the ship was secure and the engines turned off, the colors of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command were raised. It was an incredible show. -- Margy

ABC Wednesday: Q is for Quadra Island

Quadra Island is one of the Discovery Islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland of Coastal British Columbia. It was named after Don Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, an 18th Century Spanish Naval Officer who explored the area at the same time as Captain George Vancouver. About 4,000 people live on the island, but in summer that number swells as tourists arrive by floatplane, boat and ferry. Quadra is a frequent destination for our 24' Bayliner Halcyon Days. The following are a few shots to entice you to come for a visit some day.

The ferry from Quadra to nearby Cortes Island.

Narrow passages.

And quiet coves.

Thanks for looking at my Quadra Island pictures. If you would like to read more about our trip you can click here. For more information about ABC Wednesdays go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place by clicking here. You will find additional "Q" picture links posted there. -- Margy

Solar Halo

The skies here at our cabin just amaze me. I'm always finding something special. Not long ago, I walked out on the deck and was greeted with a solar halo.

A solar halo occurs when when the sky is covered by thin cirrus clouds containing ice crystals high (5–10 km, or 3–6 miles) in the upper troposphere. The sunlight is bent as it passes through the ice crystals. It may also split the light into colors, much like a rainbow. Mine was of the more sedate white variety.

A 22 degree halo is the most common. The light from the sun passing through the ice crystals typically makes the inner edge of the circle more reddish and the outer edge more bluish. I saw this solar halo on May 4, 2008, looking south from my cabin in Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake in Coastal British Columbia. As hard as I tried, it was too large to capture the entire image in my camera's field.

And that's not all. I see some of the same great views reflected back in the clear waters of the lake around me. Here's the flip side of the solar halo, almost as spectacular as the original in the sky. -- Margy

Crossbills in the Trees

Each time I go up the hill to check on my potato patch I hear birds in the bushes and trees near my compost pile. They are quick and elusive, but a few days ago I was able to capture a few on film.

The most evident thing was their crossed bills. After an Internet search, I have identified them as Crossbills, an apt name. I am not sure about the species, but think it is a Red Crossbill.

Crossbills (genus Loxia) are members of the Finch family. Based on the coloring, I believe this is a female. Males tend to be reddish in color and females a greenish-yellow. The crossed nature of their beaks is specialized to allow them to remove seeds from conifer cones. I noticed the remains of cones on the ground next to the compost pile. I had assumed it was the work of a squirrel, but it must have been the Crossbills sitting in the trees cracking open the cones to extract the tasty seeds.

Maybe the next trip up the hill I will be quiet enough to capture a few more shots. Do you have any spring bird photos to share? Let us know and give us a link to your site. -- Margy

First Harvest

This spring I planted my floating garden at the end of March. It was a little early, and we had quite a few cool
days, but the sunshine last week was a real boost.

My asparagus has been in the ground several years. This year we were rewarded with spears that are almost store-bought size. We can continue harvesting through mid-June. Then I'll let them go to fern to replenish for next year.

My herbs made it through winter. The parsley is already so large I cut it back to give to my friend Helen for her homemade vegetable juice. Later I'll cut more to dry and put in an herb blend I call Margy's Mix.

My onions are ready for salads. I like red onion sets. This year I also tried bunching onions. An advantage is they continue to produce even as you harvest.

For some reason my lettuce didn't sprout, so I replanted. My spinach, on the other hand, is the earliest and best I've even grown. We treated ourselves to a spinach salad with some of those fantastic onions.

I know it's early, but if this is a taste of what's to come, it's going to be a great summer. Do you have a vegetable garden? Let us hear some of your stories. -- Margy