Powell River Books Blog

Wood Rotation

2012-01-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

We start using our wood stove for cabin heating in November and keep it going pretty much every day through May. That takes quite a bit of firewood. We try to get our woodshed pretty full in the fall when the wood is dry and lighter, but it's never enough to last the whole season.

Our floating wood shed has two constraints, the size and weight of its contents. If we put too much wood in, the float logs submerge and saturate. That's bad for the logs, and also lets water get to the bottom of our dry wood. Consequently, we have to use a wood rotation system.

This year we were lucky. John redid his cedar deck and gave us all of his old wood. We stored about half of the precut lengths on our log work float. Wayne pushed the float up to the dock and tossed the wet boards across. I tossed them into the woodshed and stacked them criss-crossed so the wood would dry quicker. We have enough dry wood to last another month. By then, our wet would should be ready to use.

Thanks again John. You help us in so many ways. -- Margy

After the Storm

2012-01-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

We don't get snow very often, so I love it, especially when we are at the cabin.

Almost as good are the clear blue skies after the storm. Above is a view of my floating garden with Goat Island beyond.

This shot is from our friend John's deck looking up Powell Lake to Chippewa Bay. Want to come visit? There are float cabins for rent by the day and week. But be careful, you may never want to leave.

For great skies from around the world, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday. -- Margy

Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

On January 7, 2010, I was surprised to find my garden float featured on Lloyd Kahn's blog. I left a comment thanking Lloyd, and not long after I received a unique request. Lloyd wanted to feature our float cabin on Powell Lake in a new book he was putting together about tiny homes. I was thrilled.

Two years later, Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter by Lloyd Kahn is finished and available for purchase. I've already got my copy and it's an amazing book. It has 1,300 full-colour photos of a wide array of small homemade shelters.

Tiny Homes on Foundations
Tiny Homes on Wheels
Tiny Homes by Architects
Prefabs and Kits
Earthy Materials
Treehouses
On the Road
On the Water (that's me!)

Check out pages 210-211 for Our Little Cabin up the Lake.

Links for more information and purchasing options:

Lloyd's Blog
Shelter Online
Shelter Publications on Facebook
Shelter Publications on Twitter
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca

Check it out online and get a copy for yourself. -- Margy

Powell River Books at the Seattle Boat Show

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Author Wayne J. Lutz of Powell River Books will be at the 2012 Seattle Boat Show from Tuesday, January 31, through Thursday, February 2.

Author's Book Signing

Tuesday 3:00 to 8:00
Wednesday 11:30 to 8:00
Thursday 11:00 to 2:00

Captain's Nautical Supplies booth at the Centurylink Field (Concourse #2237).

Seminar Presentation
Wednesday, February 1
1:00 p.m. on the Silver Stage

Off-the-Grid Living: Tips for Establishing a Remote Home - Features Boat Access & No Public Utilities

Wayne will be showcasing his newest book Cabin Number 5 which chronicles the building of a float cabin. Also featured will be Up the Lake and Farther Up the Lake about off the grid float cabin living.

Stop by and pick up a signed copies for yourself. Can't make it to the Boat Show? You can purchase Cabin Number 5 and all of the other titles in the Coastal BC Stories series online. Go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com for more information. -- Margy

My Snowy World

2012-01-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

Last week in Coastal BC we had storms move through that left us with several centimetres of snow on the ground.

I was at the cabin during two of them. Here are the results.

Where we live the snow doesn't last much more than a week, sometimes less.

So I enjoy it when I can get it.

Thanks for visiting part of my world this week. For more great posts from Our World Tuesday, click here. -- Margy

Saving Socks

2012-01-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

Dress around the cabin is pretty casual. Summer is shorts and T-shirts. In winter, I bring out sweatsuits and slipper socks.

I've had this pair for several years now. The tops are fine, but the soles have worn through several times. I've had to patch the holes with cotton cloth inside and out more than once.

A cold spot on the ball of my foot told me I had a new hole developing. I hated to give up just yet, so I decided to give them one more lease on life.

I rummaged in the rag box and found old flannel pillow cases. I used the finished edge and there was just enough cloth in one case to make two new soles that are four layers thick.

I sewed the new soles in place with a tight whip stitch. I turned under all the raw edges, and rounded the square corners into the shape of my foot.

My favourite slipper socks have been saved from the trash. It feels good to put them back in use for another winter season.

Have you saved something lately? How did it make you feel? -- Margy

Morning Comes to Hole in the Wall

2012-01-22T09:22:00.000-08:00

The sun's glow just before sunrise ...

makes dark silhouettes of the trees reflected on the calm waters of Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake.

The brow log of our cabin's cedar float foundation still has a dusting of snow from overnight storm. -- Margy

Rock On with CCRadio

2012-01-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

Our float cabin is off the grid. We generate our own electricity using solar, wind, and thermoelectric power, with a back-up gas generator for those short, cloudy winter days. We have chosen not to have television or Internet at our cabin, but we love to listen to the radio.

Wayne did research several years ago and we purchased a CCRadioPlus from the C. Crane Company. It's been a perfect radio for the cabin. It has a built-in battery charger and the four D-cell NiMH rechargeable batteries last for weeks between charges. It has AM, FM, Weather, and TV audio channels. Of course, the TV reception will discontinue once the digital transition is complete.

We decided to treat ourselves to a new CCRadio-2 for Christmas. The old one will stay upstairs, and the new one will be for downstairs and outdoors use. The models are similar, except TV audio has been replaced with 2-Meter Ham. The built-in battery charger has also been omitted. That was a huge surprise. At least our old model can be used for charging the batteries for both sets.

Some of the CCRadio-2 features include:

runs on AC or 4 D-cell batteries for 180 hours of run time
AM/FM with excellent reception and sound
weather band
2-Meter Ham band
headphone jack (Wayne loves to listen to late night CBC)
pre-set buttons for easy tuning of favourite stations
aux-in jack for portable music devices
clock and alarm in LCD panel

We're very happy with this product. We can "rock on" with local SUN.FM or keep up with what's happening worldwide. And of course, the fact that it runs on rechargeable batteries makes it perfect for cabin living.

Do you have any rechargeable devices that you recommend for cabin living? Wayne and I would love to hear your suggestions. -- Margy

Pacific Coastal in the Snow

2012-01-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Wednesday I flew from Powell River to Vancouver. The flight was delayed about two hours because of a snow storm moving through Coastal BC.

The pilots of Pacific Coastal Airlines are used to the varied flying conditions in our area. Their experiences gives me confidence in flying in all sorts of weather.

Come fly with me on Pacific Coastal in the snow. -- Margy

Yaktrax Keep You on Your Feet

2012-01-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

Walking on slippery wet, snowy, and icy decks (not to mention docks, sidewalks and roads) can be a huge challenge this time of year. The most recent snowstorm up at the cabin had Wayne and I reaching for our Yaktrax.

Yaktrax Walkers are unique, easy to slip on traction devices for your shoes. They are made in the form of a flexible plastic mesh covered on the bottom with rust resistant metal coils on the bottom.

They work like chains do on a car, making it easier to walk on slippery surfaces.

Wayne leaves his Yaktrax on a spare pair of shoes so they are even easier to put on to go outdoors. While they are meant to be used outdoors, they can be worn inside if you don't have a delicate floor or carpet. That makes them perfect for cabin use.

Yaktrax come in a variety of formats. We have the original Walker version ($20). They also have a Pro version ($30) with over-the-foot straps to hold them in place, an Extreme version ($60) that has mini-chains and spikes on the soles for even better traction, and the new SkiTrax ($20) for use with ski boots.

We've had ours so long I can't remember where we bought them. Check with sporting good stores in your area, or REI or Amazon.ca. -- Margy

Borrow Free at Amazon Prime's Kindle Lending Library

2012-01-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

Powell River Books is participating in Amazon Prime's FREE Kindle Owner's Lending Library. There's still time for Prime members to borrow a free copy for January. Come take a look at the two options.

Powell River Books in the
Kindle Owners' Lending Library

Up the Winter Trail -- This book from the Coastal BC Stories series takes the reader snowshoeing, hiking and biking during the winter months. This would be a good read especially if you are planning on coming to Vancouver or the Sunshine Coast for a winter vacation or sports. Prime members can borrow it for one month for free, or just $5.99 at Amazon for anyone wanting a copy to keep.

Inbound to Earth -- Alien and artificial intelligence are separated by a fine line. Evolving intelligence is inbound to earth, autonomous from its home planet. And only one person will be able to bridge the gap. Amateur astronomer Tannon Bessimer not only discovers a celestial object inbound to earth, but becomes the key to unlock the mystery. Free for Prime members to borrow, or just $5.99 at Amazon for anyone wanting a copy to keep.

Not a Prime member? Of course, both of these books and all other titles by Wayne J. Lutz are available for purchase. Happy reading! - Margy

Cooking Coffee Grounds

2012-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

The days are getting longer and I'm starting to think about gardening. Every morning we make a pot of coffee, so we have lots of coffee grounds. In spring and summer, I put them directly into the garden. In winter, I "cook" them dry in a frying pan on the wood stove. That way they store in Ziploc bags without moulding.

In the garden, coffee grounds have many uses including mulching, composting and pest control.

Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and that makes them good for fast-growing vegetables like tomatoes. One article said they also help prevent blight.

What really interests me is deterring and killing slugs. While I don't think using grounds has solved my slug problem, I think it has helped reduce the damage to my strawberry plants.

So if you like a cuppa joe to start your day, and want to be ready for spring planting, try cooking your grounds dry and saving them. Your plants will thank you. -- Margy

Cranberry Orange Nut Bread

2012-01-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

When I was getting ready to come home to the float cabin, I needed to prepare some things for Mom and her helpers to eat. Of course, we made breakfast bran muffins. I also made two Cranberry Orange Nut Bread. I used this recipe from allrecipes.com.

Cranberry Orange Nut Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest

If you use dried cranberries, put one cup in a little water and bring them to a boil. Remove from heat and let them reconstitute while you prepare the other ingredients.

Mix together the egg, oil, orange juice, and orange zest. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until just blended. Mix in cranberries and nuts.

Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan (or two smaller ones) and spoon in the batter. Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan(s) and cool completely.

I like to use the small pans because the bread cuts just the right size to make little sandwiches filled with pineapple cream cheese spread for lunch. -- Margy

Float Cabin Tours: Bathroom and Guest Room

2012-01-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, I shared about how our good friend John added a bathroom to our cabin and remodeled the adjacent downstairs guest bedroom. We don't have many guests, so the extra "bedroom" is a good place for our wood storage shelf, a place to keep my books and things, and a nice spot to lounge in the sun to read thanks to the new window.

Come take a video tour to see for yourself.

Up the Lake
Coastal BC Stories

Up the Lake -- Print for $9.95 or Kindle Introductory Offer for $.99 or E-book for $1.99

Farther Up the Lake -- Print for $16.95 or Kindle for $3.99 or E-book for $1.99

Just Released: Cabin Number 5

2012-01-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

Just Released

from
www.PowellRiverBooks.com

Cabin Number 5

Coastal BC Stories

If you've been to my blog before, you've read lots of posts about our float cabin on Powell Lake. It was built almost single handedly by our good friend John. He took several years off after building our cabin, but the dream of a new one for himself was strong.

The newest book in the Coastal BC Stories series by Wayne J. Lutz follows along as John constructs his new float cabin from the water up. He purchases massive cedar logs and cables them into the floating foundation. Over the months and years, when time and money are available, the cabin grows board by board. If you've ever dreamed of living in an off-the-grid cabin, or wanted to build one for yourself, you'll enjoy reading Cabin Number 5 (yes, it's the fifth one John's built).

Go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com for ordering information.

Print for $12.95
Kindle for $2.99 - On Sale $1.99

Available soon in Powell River bookstores.

Let There Be Light

2012-01-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

When we remodeled to add our new bathroom, we lost the window in the guest bedroom. It has always been the darkest room in the cabin. That's because the window faced north where our massive granite wall is located. So we asked John to cut us a new window facing west while he had all his tools handy.

First, the interior paneling had to come down. That was fine with me because moisture stained the bottom. Then he removed the insulation and reworked the moulding which provides support for the floor of the upstairs loft.

John used the studs to size the width. My wood storage shelf, which would go underneath, determined the height. A few cuts and I sort of had a window. Once John got the frame completed, he took measurements to Rona and ordered a custom window.

In the meantime, he put the exterior wall back up to keep out bugs and critters. We replaced the interior paneling with primered pine sheets like the bathroom and painted with matching mould resistant semi-gloss off-white paint. That helped to brighten up the room. Here you can see the new window on the left during our cabin painting project.

Now we get a lot more light in the guest bedroom, the adjacent bathroom, and even out into the living room area. And a west facing window gives us light later in the day when we need it most.

Thanks John for making our home an even nicer place to live. Come back on Thursday for a full tour of the remodeled room. -- Margy

Mr. Heater's Big Buddy

2012-01-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, I shared how propane lights up our nights. Here's another way propane helps us during the winter. We love our wood stove, but at night it burns down and the cabin cools. I'm snug under our big comforter, but Wayne's a night creeper. When he gets up alone, sometimes he uses our propane heater for a warm blast right on his feet as he sits on the sofa downstairs.

We researched portable propane heaters and purchased a Mr. Heater Big Buddy. There are three sizes in the Buddy series, we chose the largest. This model is designed for up to 400 square feet. In addition to the cabin, we use it in Gemini (Wayne's Writer's Retreat boat), and have taken it cruising in our Bayliner for overnight lake trips. The portability is a nice feature.

The Big Buddy has two sides that operate independently to manage the amount of heat. It can hold two 16.04 oz. Coleman propane bottles. For longer (and less costly) operation, it can be connected with a hose to an external 20 lb. tank (located outdoors). Built in safety features include an automatic low oxygen shutoff system, and an accidental tip-over safety shutoff. And it's approved for indoor and outdoor use.

Here's a tool to locate a store near you. In the US try Lowes or Walmart. In Canada try Lordco, then let propane warm you up on a cold winter night. -- Margy

Surprise in the Sky

2012-01-06T12:05:00.001-08:00

We've probably all looked up over a crowded beach, parade or fair to see a small plane towing a banner.

What we don't expect is to see our name up there in the sky.

This banner photo is actually a few years old. In fact, back when Wayne retired, his students in the Mt. San Antonia College's Aeronautics Program set this up for his last graduation ceremony as professor and chairman of the department. So watch the skies, you may never know what you'll see. -- Margy

Wayne Lutz
www.PowellRiverBooks.com

Watercolour Trees

2012-01-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

Living on the water in a float cabin gives me plenty of opportunity to capture watery shots.

There was a slight breeze rippling the water, creating a water colour inverted image of the trees across the bay. Isn't it pretty?

Thanks for visiting my Watery Wednesday post this week. For more great liquid posts click here. -- Margy

Propane Lights Up Our Winter Nights

2012-01-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

It's tough in winter to generate enough power with solar panels to run electric lights (even LEDs) for more than a short time each night. Even on a sunny day, at this time of year we only get about two hours of direct light. Our winter alternative is propane light.

We have a double chandelier in our kitchen that lights up our great room. It's not bright enough for reading, but plenty to do general tasks.

When we did our kitchen remodel, we had to move the light to make room for the new propane refrigerator. We asked our good friend John to help us out for two reasons. One, he has the proper tools, and two, he knows what he's doing. Propane is a safe energy source if it is used carefully. The primary danger is a leak, allowing propane to sink and collect in low areas, creating a fire and explosion hazard.

Propane is odourless, but an additive gives it a “rotten egg” smell to warn if there's a leak. Good thing! The new position for the chandelier was just far enough away to require an extension of copper tubing and a new fitting. A dab of liquid soap lets you know if the seal is tight. Any telltale bubbles, and you need to redo the connection.

Twist knobs make it easy to turn the propane on and off. This chandelier has two lights with separate controls. We usually light just one. Propane fixtures use mantles just like Coleman lanterns. And lighting them is very similar. Decorative glass globes protect the fragile mantles from damage and help distribute light downward.

Fortunately, the chandelier is just low enough for me to reach on my tiptoes. I start a long BBQ lighter, put the flame under the mantle, and turn the knob. Instant light! And it gives a nice warm glow to the room for as long as we want on a cold winter night. Thanks John! -- Margy

Low Tide, Clouds and Sun on Bellingham Bay

2011-12-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

This week low tide, low clouds and sunset have been coming all together. Last weekend I hurried down to the small park on Marine Drive to get some "rare" sunset shots.

This park near the intersection of Marine Drive and Alderwood Avenue. It 's a popular spot to read, relax, catch the nearby trail for shoreline walks ...

... and of course, watch sunsets. -- Margy

Stovepipe Before and After

2011-12-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

Wayne's been busy. One of his recent projects was to finish wood stove refinishing. In October, he did the surface with Tremclad High Heat Enamel that resists heat up to 650°C (1200°F). It's thick and covers well. Brush strokes smooth out during the drying process for a smooth finish. There was plenty of paint left to do the the stove chimney pipe all the way to its exit on the cabin wall.

As you can see, the stovepipe was in need of some major TLC. After Wayne finished painting it, he still had enough left in the can to give the stove surface a second coat. Even with daily fires since October (almost 24/7), there have been no cracks or peeling. Tremclad seems to be the perfect product for the job.

Now it almost looks like we have a brand new stove for an investment of about $10.00. Well, that and a little work on Wayne's part. - Margy

A Slice of Life

2011-12-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Through the trees up on the hill, you get a slice of Hole in the Wall and our log boom with its floating stump collection.

The boom protects our float cabin from storm driven wind waves, and floating wood debris. You can read more about our life in a floating cabin by clicking here. -- Margy

Seaside City

2011-12-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Powell River region was first inhabited by members of the Sliammon First Nation. It had everything they needed for a good life: a freshwater lake and river, surrounding forest for food and building materials, the ocean for food and transportation, and warm summers and mild winters.

By the 1880's, loggers were drawn to the pristine forests to harvest the massive old growth trees. Word got out about the wonderful natural resources. In the early 1900's, the remote site was transformed almost overnight into a pulp mill with its own company town. In 1912, the first roll of paper came off the machines and mill workers were living in brand new homes in what is now called the Historic Townsite.

By the 1930's, it was the largest paper mill in the world. Homes for the large workforce and supporting businesses spread to the communities of Wildwood, Cranberry, and Westview.

Today, seen from Malaspina Strait, Powell River rises from the sea, surrounded by mountains and forests just begging to be explored. -- Margy

Get Coastal BC Stories for Kindle or E-book Reader

2011-12-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

Do you have a Kindle
or E-reader?

PowellRiverBooks has just what you need and want at a price you can't beat. Take a look inside these exciting books in Wayne's Coastal BC Stories series. Each book focuses on a special aspect of life where mountains drop into the sea and people have a different sense of purpose.

Up the Lake with stories about hiking, boating, flying and survival off the grid in a floating cabin on Powell Lake. This was the first book in the series and has a variety of stories about the Powell River region. Kindle Introductory Offer for $.99 or E-book for $1.99

Up the Main focuses on getting into the backcountry by bike, quad and hiking. Come ride along with on a quad to places like Theodosia Inlet, the head of Powell Lake and on logging roads near and far. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $1.99

Up the Winter Trail takes the reader snowshoeing, hiking and biking during the winter months. This would be a good book if you are planning on coming to Vancouver or Coastal BC for winter sports. Kindle for $5.99.

Up the Strait cruises the Strait of Georgia to uncrowded and pristine anchorages. Follow our 24' Bayliner Halcyon Days into Desolation Sound, to unique Mittlenatch Island and the Gulf Islands. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $3.99

Up the Airway wings you across Canada to show off our beautiful country from up above. Fly along with us in our Piper Arrow, land to camp at remote strips with gorgeous scenery, and meet unique animals like the muskox. Kindle for $3.99 or E-book for $3.99

Farther Up the Lake follows in the footsteps of Wayne's most popular book, Up the Lake. Read about living off the grid in a float cabin, the beauties of Powell Lake and the many different ways you can enjoy the backcountry. Kindle for $3.99 or E-book for $1.99

Farther Up the Main takes you beyond the original Up the Main to explore the glaciers of Mt. Alfred, the remote Theodosia wilderness, a logging road ride to our cabin, and on an impromptu overnight stay waiting for a summer swollen stream to subside. Kindle for $3.99 or E-book for $1.99

Farther Up the Strait is the newest book in the series. Visit more remote inlets and anchorages in Desolation Sound and beyond. Did you ever want to put a new engine in your boat? Follow along as our Halcyon Days gets a new lease on life and energy boost. Kindle for $3.99 or E-book for $1.99

All books are available in Kindle and print formats through Amazon. Other e-book readers can find the books available online through Smashwords. Or, you can check online at Kobo, Sony, Apple, and Barnes & Noble.

For more information, go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com. Happy e-reading! -- Margy

Sunrise, Sunset

2011-12-23T01:18:00.000-08:00

On the shortest day of the year, the sun cooperated and we were able to get an accurate measure of sunrise and sunset at the cabin.

Standing on our porch looking due south, this is what we saw. The sun rose above the ridge and treetops at 9:45 a.m, and it promptly set behind the trees surrounding our neighbour John's bay at 11:43 a.m.

That's a little less than two hours of direct sunlight, if it's not a cloudy or stormy day.

That doesn't make our solar system work very well. No wonder our poor batteries are struggling. When we first got our cabin, we had four hours of sunlight in winter. But the trees have grown taller in the last ten years. Good thing we have a little wind and thermoelectric power. Even so, our backup generator has to help us out. -- Margy

Rebecca Rock

2011-12-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Living in Powell River we have both fresh water (Powell Lake) and salt water (Strait of Georgia) at our doorstep. That makes it a perfect place for boating, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, skiing, and all kinds of water sports.

When I stay at the condo in town, I look straight across the strait to Vancouver Island. I can see the beacon on Rebecca Rock blinking to warn mariners of the extensive underwater (and above) dangers.

Even BC Ferries give these rocks a wide berth. -- Margy

Freezing Nights

2011-12-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

Official winter is almost here, but freezing nights can't seen to wait. Most of my garden plants are annuals, so I don't worry about saving them. But there were two that I felt needed a try this year.

First was my rhubarb root. It's in a medium sized pot on the transition float and I worry about it not having enough soil for protection. The other was my beautiful geraniums in the repurposed BBQ planter. I enjoyed them so much this year I thought maybe they could survive with a little help.

I used the same method for both. First, I hired the local wood rat to trim everything back (just kidding, she did it on her own.) I didn't have any mulch handy, so I used crumpled newspaper to give the surface of the soil an uneven cover, hopefully creating air pockets to keep the surface, roots, and stems from freezing.

I then covered the paper with soil to keep it in place. We get some pretty strong winds this time of year. If it works, great. I will have a head start on flowers next spring. If not, I can start all over again. The nursery always has lots of geraniums even in early spring. -- Margy

Inexpensive Bathroom Shelf

2011-12-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

When John was remodeling for us, he moved our bathtub from the storage room to the new bathroom. One challenge he encountered was the tub's direction. In the storage room, it was a left hand installation. Now it needed to go right, leaving the tub's end open and quite ugly.

Rather than adding a panel to close the hole, he built a simple storage shelf. John had a leftover 1 by 12 of finished pine. A few cuts, screws, and the tub now has an attractive, and functional closure. The natural wood matched the window frames, but I wanted a bit more colour in the room.

After a coat of wood primer, I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss spray paint. Our transition float was a safe place for spraying. Now my inexpensive bathroom shelf is the spot of colour I was looking for, and a match for my redone Economy Shop bargain end table. For about $10 for primer and paint for the shelf, I have some really colourful and inexpensive bathroom storage. -- Margy

The Ugly Duckling

2011-12-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to Steveston, BC, I strolled along the docks to look at the fishing boats. Nearby there was a raucous group of birds begging for food. Among the many seagulls there was one large bird.

I didn't know what kind of bird it was, so I did some research online. I now believe it is a juvenile Mute Swan.

His colouring helps him blend in with the neighbourhood gulls, but his size, shape and aggressive nature gives him away. Can you help with my identification?

Thanks for visiting my Camera Critters post this week. For more great animal pictures click here. -- Margy

Red Sky in the Morning

2011-12-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

You've hear the old mariner's saying:

Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning.
Red sky at night, sailor's delight.

It may be a sign that a storm is on the way, but the sight is still a delight. I woke up at dawn and watched this gorgeous display right out my bedroom window last Monday.

Looks like the mariners in the harbour below have a little time to go out to Harwood Island for a bit of salmon fishing before the storm. It doesn't get much better than this. -- Margy

Kitchen Magician

2011-12-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

John is like a magician at everything he does. I let him know what I need and he makes it happen like magic. Our kitchen storage counter and shelf are two examples. As a part of our kitchen remodel we decided to get rid of our dining table (which we never used for eating) and replace it with a storage unit (which is what we really needed).

I drew a design with the dimensions and gave it to John. A week later, Wayne and I picked it up at John's house. Under our new outdoor porch out of the rain, we got it painted with two coats of semi-gloss white to protect the surface and to blend into our existing kitchen colour scheme. The wide open area on the side was designed to stack cases of pop and other large items.

The long floating shelf under the window holds our electronic devices including cell phones and satellite radio. The tall, deep shelves hold my large canning and water heating pots. I calculated the distance between the counter top and floating shelf to hold my cookbooks. And of course, it wouldn't be our kitchen without a telescope would it? Thanks John. You've worked your magic again! -- Margy

Magpie's Diner Open for Dinner

2011-12-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

I've written before about my friend Margaret's diner in Powell River. Two years ago, she and her husband Art opened Magpie's as a small cafe in Westview serving breakfast and lunch. Last summer, they had the opportunity to move to the historic Rodmay Hotel in Townsite. It was a great opportunity for Magpie's and its customers.

With a larger location, it was possible to expand in lots of ways. First, there's more space including an original counter and wooden stools from the turn of the century, several booths, and a cozy dining room. Second, Margaret and Art have help both in the kitchen and serving. Even so, most times of the day, and now night, you'll find one of them hard at work out front or in the kitchen.

With extra space, help, and a larger kitchen, Margaret and Art are now open every day of the week for breakfast, lunch, and now dinner. There's also a new menu that still includes all day breakfast (with incredible Bennies - try the crab cake version), sandwiches, salads, appies, and dinner items. Follow the link above to check it out.

I had the lasagne that is made from scratch, including the noodles. I understand it is such a hit that it sells out quickly. I can understand why. Can't you just taste it? They are now licensed for beer and wine to accompany your dinner selection. Double yum!

You can find my friend Margaret in the following ways:

Blog: Tales from the Rodmay Hotel
Website: Magpie's Diner
Linkin: Margaret Thistle
Facebook: Magpie's Diner Group

And of course, down at Magpie's. Stop by for a great meal and tell her a friend sent you. -- Margy

The Hulks at Work

2011-12-12T23:16:00.000-08:00

Sunday was sunny, and the winds were gentle out of the northwest, a perfect day to take our new boat out for a spin on the Strait of Georgia. Living just above the harbour makes it easy. We walked down to the dock and off we went. We first headed out to Rebecca Rocks, but outside of the protection of Harwood Island, the swells got larger, so we decided to head over to the Hulks to see if there were any Steller sea lions at the breakwater.

You can read more about the Hulks that make up the Catalyst paper mill's breakwater here. Inside their protective circle, the mill can dock their incoming barges of pulp and outgoing loads of paper.

Today there were no sea lions. Maybe they were out foraging for food in the rich waters surrounding the Hulks. It's a known salmon fishing spot. We headed back to the North Harbour and the gentle northwest wind helped push us right into the dock. From our dock finger we can look up and see our condo on shore. What a wonderful town. Why don't you come visit Powell River? You may never want to leave. -- Margy

Update: Float Cabins for Sale on Powell Lake BC

2011-12-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

Winter is almost here. This is one of my favourite times of the year. The lake is quiet, except for work boats and the occasional hardy cabin owner who enjoys cool (sometimes cold) evenings and solitude. In case you haven't guessed, that's me. And pretty soon we may even get a dusting of snow. Just enough to enjoy.

Purchasing our cabin was the best thing we ever did. Why don't you come up and take a look at some of the great properties that are available. You might find the perfect spot just for you.

Are you interested in getting a cabin of your own? Here's an updated list of cabins and properties up the lake that are for sale. Some are through real estate agents, so you can get more information via their websites.

New Listing: Rancher Style Float Cabin -- Warren Behan from Coast Realty has just listed this two bedroom rancher style float cabin. The cabin needs some work, but the float is in great condition. That is the most important consideration in purchasing a float cabin. It has a large covered deck, durable metal roof, and wood stove to keep you cozy warm on cool fall days. It is currently tied in the Mowat Bay area for easier access, but comes with its own leased spot up the lake. And the price is right, only $64,900. For more information, click here. You can reach Warren Behan from Coast Realty at (604) 485-2324 or warren@warrenbehan.com.

Powell Lake Houseboat for Sale - Powell River Living Magazine had an add for a houseboat that is still be available for $44,500. The add says, "44-foot Three Buoys Houseboat with fuel efficient 120hp Mercruiser gas engine. Amenities include propane hot water shower, full galley with cooking stove, fridge and plenty of cupboards. A cozy gas fireplace adds warmth on chilly nights. For overnight trips it sleeps 8 including separate captains cabin and private loft. Extras include 110 power, water slide, dinghy and swim grid. Large upper deck with controls and steering make this a great alternative to a float cabin." For more information or viewing (at the Shinglemill Powell Lake Marina) call Gord at (604) 483-1269 or email agentgord@gmail.com.

Mandy Brown from RE/Max have a cute freehold cabin on Powell Lake. It comes with about half an acre of treed property about 15 minutes from the Shinglemill Marina. The 900 sq ft cabin has two bedrooms and one bath, and a cozy woodstove. It comes with canoe, linens, kitchen utensils, everything to get you started on the best summer you've ever had. Was $259,000. Now all of this can be yours for only $239,000. For more information, click here. You can reach Mandy at 604-485-2741 or mandybrown@remax.net.

Interested in an 8.35 acre land holding for a remote retreat or ecotourism resort? The Powell Lake Lodge is for sale and Jason Zroback of LandQuest can help you out. The land has ten years left on a thirty-year Crown (government) lease. The improvements include five cabins, several outbuildings, water, septic and dock. It's been vacant for a while and would need some work, but the price is right at $299,000 for everything. It's water access from Powell River but there's road access to the ocean at Theodosia Inlet. Give Jason a call at 604-414-5577 or jason@landquest.com.

Powell Lake Cabin Services - Already have a cabin up the lake? We are always looking for help with projects around ours. Our good friend (and float cabin neighbour) Justin Behan offers services such as cargo delivery, lumber packages, cubes, propane tanks, wood stoves, and anchor and rope supply. In addition, Justin is now a distributor for Sun-Mar composting toilets just like the one we installed in our new bathroom addition. For more information, call Justin at (604) 483-6527.

Want a real estate agent that really knows float cabins? That's Harry Zroback (our man Harry who helped us get our cabin) from RE/MAX. Harry owns a cabin himself, so he's an excellent person to contact for all your "up the lake" real estate needs at 604-483-8333 or harry@powellriverrealestate.com.

If you have any questions about Powell River, Powell Lake or cabin living, I'd be glad to help out. Just leave a comment or use the e-mail link in my profile to send me a message. -- Margy

Steller Sea Lions

2011-12-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

Each winter, Steller Sea Lions make the long trek from California to hang out in the nutrient rich waters of the Strait of Georgia. We may dream of heading south for warm sandy beaches, but not these guys.

From our condo, we can hear them barking in the early morning light.

When they aren't out foraging along the cement boat breakwater we call "The Hulks," they like to spend their days sunning on the mill pond rocks. -- Margy

TJ's Boat Tops Comes to the Rescue

2011-12-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

As Grizzly in Bella Coola said, through mid-December is the worst time for storms off the Pacific with strong winds. The same is true here in Powell River. When Wayne came down the lake and checked on our boat in the harbour, here's what he found. Instead of a canvas top with side enclosures, all he could see were poles looking like tree limbs stripped of their leaves.

After securing the command bridge for several days with cover, he set out to find a place to repair the canvas enclosure. There are several in town, but Wayne chose TJ's. What a find. The workmanship was excellent, the turnaround time speedy, and the price very reasonable. A triple header!

Todd Stanhope of TJ's Boat Tops diagnosed the problem as old (1992) zipper seam stitching that couldn't hold up against the strong storm wind. Once the zippers gave, the wind had her way with the canvas and plastic sides. Fortunately nothing was really damaged. Todd's knowledge and experience helped us save our top.

If you have a boat in Powell River, or are boating along the Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound, give Todd at TJ's Boat Tops a call.

Todd Stanhope
TJ's Boat Tops
4607 McLeod Road
604-414-4012
email: the_stanhopes@yahoo.com

Now all we need is some good weather for some happy holiday boating! - Margy

Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

2011-12-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

These recent cold nights make me think of comfort foods. Winter squash fills the bill in my cookbook. I chose acorn squash because of it's size for our small family and shape for stuffing.

Like many of my recipes, I did Internet research then put together several to match the ingredients I had on hand and what I think will taste good.

Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

1 acorn squash
1 cup croutons
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 stalk celery diced
1/4 onion chopped
1/2 apple diced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup apple juice
salt & pepper to taste

Slice the top off an acorn squash, scoop out seeds and trim the bottom so the squash will stand upright. Fill a baking dish with 1/2 inch of water, place the squash upside down and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until the flesh is softened.

While the squash is baking, prepare the filling. Melt butter in a frying pan and saute onion, celery and apple. When wilted, add cranberries, pecans, apple juice, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, and salt and pepper (if desired). Cook slowly until sugar is dissolved then remove from heat.

Remove squash from the oven and discard water. Turn right side up. Stir together croutons (unseasoned) and cooked mixture. Stuff the squash and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes or until browned. The stuffed squash can be served as a side, but I think it's hearty enough to be a main dish. -- Margy

PRB on the Tiny House Blog

2011-12-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

In 2008, I discovered a great blog about simple living in small dwellings. The Tiny House Blog is designed, written and lovingly maintained by Kent Griswold.

If you are arriving from my most recent post on the Tiny House Blog, WELCOME!! Stay awhile and see what float cabin living is all about. Some sections that you might find interesting include:

Float Cabin Living off the grid
Float Cabin Construction plans
Gardening in a floating garden
Cooking using a woodstove
Cabin Accessories handy stuff

I've written several articles about float cabin living for Kent's blog:

Our Little Cabin Up the Lake
Living on the Water
Float Cabins on Powell Lake
Float Cabin Moving Day

The most recent article, just posted today, is called "Indoor Plumbing with a Twist." It chronicles the building of a bathroom and side porch addition to our float cabin.

I really appreciate all the support Kent gives to people who are living, or would like to live, in small homes. Head on over to TinyHouseBlog.com for the rest of my story and many more like it.

You can read more about our off the grid cabin life in Up the Lake and Farther Up the Lake by my husband, Wayne J. Lutz. More information about ordering the print, Kindle and e-book versions is available at our website www. PowellRiverBooks.com. - Margy

Reintroducing Kay at "An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel"

2011-11-30T08:49:00.000-08:00

This week for Wednesday Friends Day I would like to reintroduce you to Kay and her blog called An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel. On Monday I had the opportunity to meet Kay in real life and it was lots of fun for both of us.

Kay and her husband Dick are avid travelers. When you read her posts, you circle the globe many times. Kay lives in Alberta, Canada. She's an inspiration to others, taking on challenges, and is rewarded with a full, active life.

Lindy is an important part of Kay's life. She is a precocious pooch that Kay and Dick rescued from SOS, a "no-kill" society that believes that all animals deserve a health and happy life. They sure helped Lindy find one! From the stories Kay tells, Lindy pretty much rules the roost.

Kay and I met at the the Roadhouse Grille in Surrey, BC. Kay used to live and work near here before moving east. We talked a lot about books, writing and publishing. Kay's father, Gordon Davies, wrote The Living Rivers of BC. We talked about Wayne's books and one Kay is writing called, An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel. You can read several of the chapters and stories for free on her blog.

Coming Someday to a Bookstore Near You
Chapter 1 - To the Reader
Chapter 2 - From the Author
Chapter 4 - Just Accept It????
Chapter 5 - Learning How

There are more chapters and great posts to read, so, head on over to say hi to Kay at An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel. And tell her a friend sent you. -- Margy

Search for a Propane Refrigerator

2011-11-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Our search for a new propane stove was fairly inexpensive and easy because houses sometimes use gas. Refrigerators are a whole different animal. Home refrigerators are almost exclusively electric.

Propane refrigerators are most often found in small sizes for trailers and RVs. When John built our cabin, he got this used 8 cubic foot model out of an old trailer. It served us well for over ten years, but we yearned for more space in both the freezer and fridge.

We looked online and in several stores, but the RV models are too small. They also aren't finished on the outside because they are designed to fit into a modular unit. At Rona here in Powell River, they carry Unique brand propane refrigerators. They are made in Ontario, Canada, but are distributed throughout North America. It's a home-style refrigerator, but runs on propane. And we could get it in a 13 cubic foot model (they go all the way up to a massive 18).

Because it is larger than the space under the stairs, we changed the location to the end of the sink, a good spot for kitchen use. It's also a good place because we (John actually) had to install a new propane line from our tanks on the other side of the wall.

Look at all that space in the freezer, fridge and doors. It fills up fast, but there's plenty of room for frozen meats and fresh foods.

Our Unique refrigerator lives up to its name. Propane refrigerators work a little different than electric ones. I don't profess to understand the process, but electric models use a gas called tetrafluoroethane, a motor, a compressor and coils to contain the gas/liquid cooling process.

A propane refrigerator has a few more steps including a propane flame powered generator to create ammonia gas, a separator, a condenser, an evaporator (where the cooling occurs), and an absorber. It's a closed, continuous-cycle system as long as the propane is burning.

Here you can see the condenser fins that are part of the cooling process at the back of our top refrigerator shelf.

Propane consumption for our 13 cubic foot model is 1.4 pounds per day at maximum cooling. We have ours set lower. Where we live, a pound costs $1.00. We are still in the process of calcuating our actual consumption. We have three 40 pound tanks, so we can run our refrigerator full time (and stove and lights) for over a month without going back to town for refills.

Because burning propane indoors might cause carbon monoxide emissions, the refrigerator must either be vented to the outside or have a monitoring device installed. We opted for the monitoring device. We just have to be careful that the 9 volt battery inside is charged. Otherwise, the propane will be shut off and that would be a bad thing!

If you are in the market for a home-style propane refrigerator take a look. As they say:
It's not just a fridge.
It's Unique! -- Margy

Working Boats of Steveston BC

2011-11-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

As you can tell, I really enjoyed my trip to Steveston BC. Today I want to share about the working boats you will find in the harbour. While there are a few pleasure boats mixed in, the majority are fishing boats and tugs.

The Steveston Harbour is a bit unique. It's located in the mouth of Fraser River.

It's close to the Strait of Georgia to get tidal effects, but it also gets lots of fresh water from the river outflow. This is good for boat hulls and engines. Salt water is more corrosive. Plus, the location gives more protection during the fierce fall and winter storms we get with high winds. Here's a short clip I took from Garry Point Park.

Go on weekends during the winter or most any day in the summer and buy fresh fish off the working boats. Can't beat that for taste or price! -- Margy

Kite Buggy in Steveston BC

2011-11-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday I shared about my overnight trip to Steveston, BC. While I was there, I went to Garry Point Park where the Fraser River enters the Strait of Georgia. It has a nice trail along the river and ocean's edge. In the middle is a large grassy area with an undulating surface. It surprised me, but here is what I saw.

I saw this man launch his large kite on the brisk breeze, when I looked back he was hurtling towards me. Looks like he was having lots of fun. -- Margy

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

2011-11-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a cloudy, blustery day, so I decided to make some comfort food for dinner. The night before we had a grocery store rotisserie chicken, so I decided to make the leftovers into enchiladas.

I'm a dump and pour kind of cook, so this recipe may be a bit sketchy. The trick for me to make easy enchiladas is organization. I get everything ready to go and run an assembly line until it's ready for the oven.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 dozen corn tortillas
3 cups grated cheese
(cheddar, mozzarella, jack)
1 large can red enchilada sauce
1 onion diced
1 small can sliced black olives

Heat enchilada sauce in a small frying pan. If it gets too thick, just add a little water. Spread a thin layer of the sauce over the bottom of a large baking dish. Heat one tortilla at a time in the hot sauce. Flip once to coat and warm both sides. Remove when it becomes pliable. Don't leave the tortilla in the sauce too long or it will get mushy and break apart.

Use tongs to transfer the tortilla to a plate for assembly. Cover with cheese, chicken, onion and a few olives. Roll carefully around the stuffing, ending with the open end on the bottom. Carefully transfer to the baking dish. The weight of the contents will keep it from unrolling.

I can fit twelve enchiladas in my pan, ten across and two lengthwise. If I have any ingredients left over, I sprinkle them on top. Drizzle with enough sauce to moisten the top of each enchilada. Sprinkle with grated cheese and it's ready to bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling at the edges.

Don't over bake the enchiladas or they become dry and hard. I like my cheese ooey- gooey. Since the chicken is pre-cooked, you don't have to worry about that.

Serve with refried beans, shredded lettuce with taco sauce, and warm corn tortillas. That'll put a glow on even the coldest days. -- Margy

All Fall Down

2011-11-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

Fall was late to come and quick to go. After a recent windy storm, the maples let loose of their leaves.

And they graced the surface of our watery front yard just before sunset.

Watery front yard you ask? Yes, we live in a float cabin on (literally) Powell Lake in British Columbia. If you would like to learn more about this type of lifestyle, take a look at my categories Float Cabin Living and Float Cabin Construction. If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I'd be glad to answer them. -- Margy

Return to Steveston BC

2011-11-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I went on a short return trip to Steveston, BC. I had three reasons for my trip: 1) a respite girl's weekend out, 2) a chance to meet my blogging friend Susannah from Wanderin' Weeta in real life, and 3) to pick Wayne up early Sunday morning at Vancouver Airport. Don't you just love multitasking?

I made a reservation at the Historic Steveston Hotel for Saturday night. I called them direct and was given several options. I chose the standard room for less that $75. The rooms have all been updated and of course, there are larger and fancier ones. That's my room over the word "Hotel." The rooms are upstairs. Downstairs is a wonderful cafe serving hearty breakfasts and lunches to locals and visitors alike, and a full-service liquor store. Here's a quick tour of my room.

The Village of Steveston is located at the mouth of the South Arm of the Fraser River as it enters the Strait of Georgia. It has a long history as a fishing port, with the Gulf of Georgia Cannery which is now a national historic site. It was built in 1894 followed by what was then called the Sockeye Hotel (apropos wouldn't you say) next door, Today, you will also find the Buck & Ear pub, a great place for a brew, sports TV, and food.

I met my blogging friend Susannah and her good friend Laurie out front. With the drizzly rain, we opted to go into the hotel cafe for coffee and tea. When the skies cleared, we wandered the streets looking into some of the fun shops. Steveston Marine got most of our time, then we went over to wharf to see the boats and the busy fish market.

The next morning it was an easy 20 minute drive to Vancouver International Airport to pick Wayne up. It was a great weekend getaway. Stop by Steveston and see for your yourself. -- Margy

Premier 30" Freestanding Propane Range

2011-11-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

During our kitchen renovation, we purchased new appliances at Rona here in Powell River. Andy was very helpful as I was making my decisions and our good friend John took care of the installation. Since we are off the grid, I needed propane appliances.

The range is a 30" Premier freestanding model. It comes in several colours, but at Rona the only choice was white on white. But that's what I wanted anyway. It brightens up the kitchen and matches my white counters. This model operates on either natural gas or propane. It's 3 inches wider than my old range, but fits fine at the end of the counter. And because it dropped into same spot as the old range, all of the propane lines were in place ready for John to hook up.

There are four burners. I cook with the front two, keeping the back ones to store my boiled lake drinking water. Each side has a small pilot for easy lighting. We had to light our old burners with a lighter. It's a habit hard to break.

I love the oven. It's 25" wide with two racks and lots of room. There are special settings for propane, but I found it still runs hotter than the dial. I keep my trusty oven thermometre inside to make sure I don't overcook it.

There's a pull-out broiler. This is also where the oven pilot is located.

We don't know how much propane the pilots will take. While we are at the cabin, we leave them running. But when we leave for a long time, the range has a master cutoff valve under the top. It's fairly easy to reach, but we'll have to be sure to light all three pilots when we return and restart the propane.

I love my (oops our) new range. One of the first things I did was can spiced apples. It was so nice to have the larger cooking surface for my canning pots. I know Wayne (he cooks dinner) and I will get lots of good use out of our new range. It was money well spent. -- Margy

Canned Spiced Apples

2011-11-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

With a minimal garden this year, I didn't get to do any canning. I was out of canned apples, so I decided to buy a bag at the store and use the same simple recipe from last year. To make them more to my liking, I changed the flavouring from vanilla to spices and added some red food colouring for a crab apple look.

Canned Spiced Apples

10 medium apples
4 3/4 cups sugar
4 cups water
4 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon red food colouring

Fill a large bowl with water then add one tablespoon salt and one tablespoon vinegar. This will be a "bath" to keep the apples from turning brown while you get them all peeled and cut.

Peel, core, slice then put apples in the water bath. Mix sugar (I ended up using a cup less to reduce the sweetness), water, food colouring and spices wrapped in cheesecloth in a large pot and bring to a boil to make a heavy syrup.

Drain and rinse the apples. Carefully add them to the heavy syrup and cook for 5 minutes or until they become translucent. Stay just under the boiling point to prevent foaming. Spoon the apples into clean hot jars, cover with boiling syrup leaving 1/2 inch head space. Seal the jars and process in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes.

The syrup is very sweet, making the apples a good side dish or topping for ice cream. I had a lot of syrup left over and hated to waste it. It had a spicy apple flavour, so I tried putting some in 7-Up and it made a tasty fall drink. Later, I got some club soda and that was even better. Do you have any favourite fall apple recipes? I'd love to hear them. - Margy

Sunspots

2011-11-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

After the storm, spots of sunshine came out over the Strait of Georgia.

Each time there was an opening in the clouds, it was like a spotlight highlighting the water and islands below. -- Margy

Restoring a Cast Iron Frying Pan

2011-11-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before that my favourite thrift store is the Powell River Hospital Auxilliary Economy Shop. Every chance I get, I pop in to see what's on the shelves and racks. Over the years I've found lots of "treasures." This week I scored big time. I have a regular route. First the caps, next the baskets, then the kitchen items. There on the bottom shelf was an 10 1/2 inch cast iron frying pan.

The price was right at $2.00, but when I picked it up the old oil was gummy. It felt really yucky, but I knew I could take the pan home and restore it.

I looked online and found "The Irreplaceable Cast Iron Pans." It wasn't exactly following the directions, but the first thing I did was get out an SOS pad I knew was hiding under the sink. I also grabbed the Comet even though I knew it was a drastic move. I ran some really hot water, soaked the pan for a few minutes, and then started adding some grease of my own, elbow grease.

Several soaks and scrubs got me down to a clean, smooth surface. The next step was to lightly oil the pan inside and out. Then it went into a 450 degree oven for thirty minutes.

After cooling in the oven, I repeated the oiling and baking process two more times. Now I have a clean, well seasoned cast iron frying pan that will serve me well for many more years up at the cabin. Thank you to whoever donated it to the shop. Both the hospital and I were winners. -- Margy

Introducing Margaret's "Tales from the Rodmay Hotel"

2011-11-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

You've met my friend Margaret before. I introduced her as the author of the blog "Thistle Garden." Recently, she's started a new, very interesting blog about the Historic Rodmay Hotel here in Powell River BC.

About Me - A new chapter in my life began with Magpie's Diner located at the Rodmay Hotel. The old chapter can be read at Thistle Garden.

Margaret and her husband Art have a wonderful diner in the Historic Rodmay Hotel called Magpie's. They started out serving breakfast and lunch in a smaller location, but at the Rodmay they've expanded. Now they have dinners and provide the food served at McKinney's Pub. Now she writes about her new location in "Tales from the Rodmay Hotel."

Wayne and I like to stop for breakfast on the mornings we come down the lake from the cabin. Their location in the Townsite is right on our way into town. The meals Margaret serves are tasty, large, and use local ingredients whenever possible.

So head on over to the Rodmay, live or via the blog. And don't miss her post "Ghost Story." It's not just a Halloween tale. -- Margy

All Off-board

2011-11-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Mom just finished a month's vacation with us in Powell River. October was beautiful with some sunny warm days, and lots of colourful leaves. Mom stays in our town condo. When Wayne and I can go up to the cabin, we get home care attendants from We Care in Courtenay. Attendants ride the ferry and Mom gets a kick out of watching them arrive right from her living room chair.

Last Saturday Mom and I packed up Bertha (her big white Buick) and drove back to her home in Bellingham. When we got to the Saltery Bay terminal thirty minutes before departure, I was shocked to see no other cars. My first thought was I had goofed on the time. but it was just the off-season quiet.

Since we were #1 in line, we got the #1 spot on the ferry. From the comfort of our car we got to see the passing scenery. That was great for Mom since getting to the passenger deck wasn't possible. And when we arrived at the Earls Cove terminal, we got to really see what happens when the ferry docks and prepares for offloading.

Taking a ferry to and from Powell River is commonplace for residents, but it's hard to become immune to the beauty of the experience.

Thanks for visiting part of my world this week. For more great posts from Our World Tuesday, click here. -- Margy

You'll Get a Charge Out of This

2011-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the last day of Daylight Savings Time (DST) across Canada and the United States. Today at 2:00 a.m. we turned our clocks back (Fall back) one hour and began using local standard time, a big reminder that the days are getting shorter and darker earlier.

With less sunlight, we've learned to manage our power up at the cabin. Our electrical system has grown from one solar panel to three, backed up by a wind generator (for stormy nights). We've also grown from two to ten deep cycle batteries to store the energy for cabin use. But it isn't enough, especially during short cloudy winter days.

Consequently, we use alternative light sources for evenings. One is propane, but it isn't bright enough for reading. Thus, we turn to battery powered lights. But we were using lots of batteries and were concerned about both cost and the environment.

Now we use rechargeable reading lights. With bright LEDs they give plenty of light and have lots of power to last through long winter nights.

The first ones we got (on the left) were made by NexxTech from The Source in Powell River. We still like them best, but they're no longer available. Last Christmas, Wayne and I (unknowingly) got each other new ones made by ReLight from Amazon. They have four LEDs and are OK, but aren't quite as bright.

So, if you're a reader and need a little extra light, go rechargeable and help our environment at the same time. -- Margy

Shared Storage

2011-11-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Each fall we get visited by Bushy-tailed Woodrats. They leave their "calling cards" on Wayne's chaise pad, and help me harvest the last of my veggies from the garden and pots. They are so organized that they nibble plant stems and then pile the leaves to dry before storage. When we know one is in the area, we use our live trap and work out
a relocation.

Just above the high water line, John built a wonderful shed for us to use to store those things that don't fit into the cabin. He even gave us a window, just to see what might be going on outside. Of course, we have to be careful what we put inside. One reason is that the woodrats think it's there just for them.

Woodrats are notorious for taking and hiding bright shiny objects. When I clean the shed after an invasion, I'm always finding objects from the shelf mixed in with their food items. This time a yellow paint brush was placed on top of the dried weeds. What a decorative flair they have.

When I took the woodrat's cache out, I found lots of dried ferns, moss, and salal berries. Mixed in, it looked like some of my lettuce and sage. I felt bad about destroying the cache of food, but our shed isn't the best place for the mess. Fortunately, woodrats are known to create multiple food caches surrounding their nest. Losing this one shouldn't make winter devastating. -- Margy

Winter Maintenance at Valley Marine

2011-11-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

Winter is a good time for annual boat maintenance. The shops are less busy, and long months of inactivity are hard on boats. Having ours in top shape makes us confident it will be ready whenever the weather is good.

Our new (to us) Bayliner 3058 is too big for us to trailer, so we asked Jeff at Valley Marine to arrange for transportation from our moorage in the North Harbour to his shop in Paradise Valley. He got Can-Tow to come with their skookum trailer. But before that could happen, Wayne had to remove the canvas top and with John's help, lower the radar arch.

Powell River has lots of power lines crossing the roads, so we had to reduce our overall height in order to make it through and fit into Valley Marine's shop. Naturally, we picked a windy day for the move, but with John's help all went well. He's a great friend to be there when we need him.

Our boat will be back in the water soon, ready for new adventures Up the Strait and Farther Up the Strait (shameless plug).

Thanks Jeff and Valley Marine! If you are in need of excellent boat maintenance and repair services, give them a call:

Valley Marine
3407 Padgett Rd,
Powell River BC,

Phone: 604-485-9257

And say "Foghorn" sent you. -- Margy

Three Buckets Full

2011-11-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

One of my last chores in the floating garden was to dig up the last of my old strawberry plants. The mother plants are about nine years old, and they have stopped being productive. I started the job at the beginning of the month, but wanted to finish it before I have to leave the cabin in early November. I approached the task using the three bucket method.

I used one bucket to save rooted runner plants. I put them in my strawberry nursery pots on the deck. In the spring I will use them to help start my new beds.

I used another bucket save the leaves to use as mulch for my asparagus roots.

The last bucket I used for stems and roots for the compost pile. It's tough for them to decompose by spring unassisted, so I use my nippers to cut them into small pieces. Having a small garden allows me to do things like this on a small scale. Now the soil can rest all winter. -- Margy

Picking Thyme

2011-11-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

As I put my garden to bed for the winter, it was time to trim back and take my last picking of thyme. It's one of my favourite herbs for cooking. It's so versatile in soups, stews and marinades. My thyme plant is about five years old now. One side has died back, but the other still produces tasty leaves. I'm hoping the haircut will stimulate new growth come spring.

I tied the stems into bundles and now they are hanging in my new bathroom to dry.

After a few weeks the leaves will be dry. A quick run of my fingers down the stems easily removes them. Here you can see my sage and rosemary ready to be stored. I've saved Crystal Light plastic canisters for bulk storage. nd now I have my new pantry to keep them out of the light. I put small amounts into hand painted spice containers to keep next to the stove. A-- Margy

Granite Lake Quad Ride

2011-10-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Wayne and I went for a quad ride to Granite Lake. We started in town at the parking area near Edgehill School on Abbotsford Street. This is such a handy place to enter the forest trails. After the Duck Lake Bridge, we followed Duck Lake Forest Service Road to link up with the Granite Lake Road.

The ride is mostly over well maintained forest service roads, but the last portion on the Granite Lake Road has one tricky creek crossing. The water is shallow, at least this time of year, but the gully is deep. It doesn't look that steep in this picture, but for me it was.

Granite Lake is known for its trout fishing. Wayne threw in his line, but didn't get any nibbles. Maybe the fish have already moved deeper up here in the higher country. When you catch one, you will notice they are much darker than regular rainbows. Maybe it's from the dark tint to the water.

From the surrounding mountains, you can see how this lake got its name. I just love the granite outcroppings. We ate our lunch on the shore before heading back down the road. Even on this nice weekend, we were the only quads out in our neck of the woods. What a great way to enjoy nature.

On a calm day, the reflections on Granite Lake are amazing.

Do you want to explore the great outdoors in Powell River? Would you like a book full of maps and trail descriptions with GPS locations? There's a great book written by Dave, the president of the Powell River ATV Club. It’s called the ATV Trail Guide and costs $25. If want a copy, you can contact PRATV at their website. They are also on sale locally in Powell River at Quality Parts and Guy's Cycle Works. All profits support trail maintenance and building activities. -- Margy

Mr. Pumpkin Butt

2011-10-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

Wayne and I went driving through Paradise Valley in Powell River's regional district and found the most amazing Halloween decorations. The house had a huge web with a massive spider guarding his "prey."

Next to the driveway was the Haunted Valley Cemetery.

But the highlight was Mr. Pumpkin Butt mooning passing drivers.

What a creative family! -- Margy

Stop by Misty Dawn's Camera Critters

meme for more animal adventures.
Maybe even some more scary ones!

Blue Above, Gold Below

2011-10-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

During fall it's typical for waves of storms to pass through quickly, then clear to gorgeous blue skies. Looking east towards Goat Island the view up was a beautiful sky blue.

But as my eyes were drawn downward, there was a "sunny" golden glow coming up from below.

Our fall leaves are about two weeks late, but well worth the wait.

This cabin belongs to Max Pagani and his wife Monica. Max is a local realtor with Coast Realty. Contact Max at 604 414-8829 or info@maxpagani.com if you are interested in local property, or even a cabin up the lake. -- Margy

Available Online - Up the Main

2011-10-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Wayne and I had a nice, cool Fall ride to one of our favourite destinations, Granite Lake. I'll tell you more about that when we get back from the cabin at the end of the week. Except for one creek crossing, the ride isn't challenging (for people like me), but the country along the way is amazing. You can read more about a previous ride in Wayne's book Up the Main in a chapter called "Four." Of course, that means 4X4.

A Great Book
for the Outdoor Enthusiast

Up the Main

Coastal BC Stories

Travel up the main logging roads for an unparalleled backcountry experience. Whether you go by ATV, motorcycle, mountain bike, car or on foot, you can find clear mountain streams, hidden lakes and uncrowded campsites. Read Up the Main by Wayne Lutz and ride along with us.

Go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com for ordering information or use one of our trusted partners.

Kindle version $5.99 USD at Amazon.com
iPad and Ebook $1.99 USD at Smashwords.com
Print version $16.95 USD at Amazon.com

Time for Reflection

2011-10-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Standing on the deck of my float cabin always gives me amazing views in the sky, and in the water, especially on a calm fall day.

We've had more blue skies than normal, giving us glorious days with lovely reflections.

Here you can see our "front yard" with a captured log glistening in the early morning light. It's good to reflect back on all the good things life has to offer. -- Margy

Kitchen Kapers Kontinued

2011-10-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

In 2008, I shared a post about my kitchen. Since we purchased our cabin home from our good friend John in 2001, we haven't changed much inside. But this year we've undertaken several improvement projects. Last week you read about the completion of our bathroom and side porch. Now we've moved on to the kitchen.

Our kitchen remodel is much less involved, but the results are still going to be dramatic. We decided to leave our kitchen counter and shelves the way they are. We love the simplicity. So the first step was replacing our propane appliances. John picked up our new refrigerator and stove at Rona.

John's friend Ernie loaned us his converted boat barge (normally used to transport quads on the lake) to haul our new appliances up to the cabin. When you live in a water access only location, you have to be a bit inventive. John backed down the boat ramp and the quad ramps dropped from the barge right onto the tailgate of his truck. That made the transfer of the heavy appliances a lot easier.

When they got to the cabin, the barge backed up to the deck. The ramps reached all the way to the top deck, making the off load just as easy. When the installation was done, the process reversed to remove our old appliances. But don't worry. They are going to a good home. John is taking them down to his new cabin. Bro is hoping we left a few doggie treats inside for him. -- Margy

Ferry Trails

2011-10-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Last week we had some spectacular sunsets, but this one was the best. The sun is setting earlier, so the North Island Princess arriving at 6:50 caught the last light of day.

A moment later, you could see the wake trail she left glistening in the hot pink glow.

Come to Powell River and ride the North Island Princess to nearby Texada Island for an adventure and sunset tour. -- Margy

Off the Grid Living Up the Lake

2011-10-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today we're heading up the lake for a few days at our float cabin. It's a unique place to live. Want to read about how we handle off the grid living? Wayne has written two books about our cabin life.

The first is Up the Lake. It tells about how we discovered our cabin on Powell Lake, about life in our off the grid, boating to world famous Desolation Sound, riding our quads into the back country, and flying overhead for a unique view of this incredible place.

Up the Lake

Coastal BC Stories

Print for $9.95
Kindle for $.99

E-book for $1.99

Following in the footsteps of the most successful book in the Coastal BC Stories series comes Farther Up the Lake. Head up Powell Lake to experience more about our life in an off the grid float cabin, winter on the lake, spend the night up at the Head of Powell Lake, go beachcombing for logging history, and much more.

Farther Up the Lake

Coastal BC Stories

Print for $16.95
Kindle for $3.99

E-book for $1.99

Go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com
for ordering information.

Wood Stove Refinishing

2011-10-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Our Kozi wood stove is a vital part of our float cabin. It makes all season living up the lake possible. This time of year, we only need an early morning and night fire, but in the middle of winter, it will be running 24/7. It provides us with lots of heat, but it also provides a cooking surface for heating lots of water, and even an occasional meal.

All that work takes a toll on the stove's surface. The first step in refinishing the surface is to scour away the rust and grime with a stiff wire brush. Then smooth the surface with sand paper and clean it thoroughly so no dust or rust particles are present.

We chose Tremclad High Heat Enamel in a flat finish. This paint resists heat up to 650°C (1200°F), well within the range of the surface of a wood stove. It is thick and covers well. Brush strokes smooth out during the drying process for a smooth finish that isn't supposed to crack or peel. I'll keep you posted on that.

We let it dry for a week while we were away. Originally, we planned a second coat upon our return, but it looked fine with just one. We will save the remaining paint for a future coat, or maybe for the chimney pipe. Not only does our wood stove look a whole lot better, but it will protect the metal so it will last many years longer. -- Margy

Inexpensive Storage

2011-10-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last week you saw the completion of my new bathroom. I was so excited, I didn't know which to use first - the toilet or the tub. Well, nature took care of that decision for me. On my first night back, I used the wood stove to heat four big pots of water. What a luxurious feeling to sit back and have a hot soak.

The next thing was to put together the bargain pantry I found at Walmart. It was originally $89, but on sale for just $49. It's made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard), but it's quite sturdy. And it came in a white finish that is perfect for my new room.

While I was in town with Mom, Wayne put it together for me. You may wonder why I'm putting a pantry in the bathroom. First, in a small home you use the space you have wisely. Second, it will be the coolest room and that's the best spot to store my canning.

Up on top, Wayne has space for his model Coast Guard Cutter that has been displaced because of our kitchen remodel. I think it looks good here, giving a spot of colour against the light walls. What do you think? -- Margy

Buster's back ...

2011-10-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

and Wayne's gonna be in trouble
Hey la, hey la my Buster's back.
If you see him come,
better cut out on the double
Hey la, hey la my Buster's back

Sorry, but the 60s song by the Angels just popped into my head.

This is pretty late to see our resident Garter Snake. But this year everything seems to be running a bit late. I saw Buster sunning himself on the brow log below our back deck.

Wayne saw him too, but gave him a wide berth. Buster isn't Wayne's favourite critter. -- Margy

Book Launch for "Farther Up the Strait"

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Corrine

at Coles
the Book People
in the
Town Centre Mall
Powell River BC

for hosting us for
a Book Launch for

Farther Up the Strait

Coastal BC Stories

You are the best!

Wayne and Margy -- Powell River Books

Indoor "Plumbing"

2011-10-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Our new bathroom has been a big project for John (our good friend and builder), and us. You can follow it's development:

Under Construction - video by Ed
Up Goes the Frame - walls
Site Supervisor - roof beams
Save That Nail - rain delay
Toilets and Telescopes - composting toilet
Night Watchman - John and Bro
Bathroom and Porch Addition Nears Completion

We are trading in our trusty outhouse for an indoor composting toilet. The view won't be as great (looking out through the trees and down the cliff to the the lake below), but the convenience will be appreciated. Instead of climbing four flights of stairs, we just have to go into another room. No rain, no wind - how civilized.

We chose a Sunmar Excel NE. The NE stands for non-electric. While it isn't hooked up to our cabin's solar powered electrical system, it does have its own panel to run a small fan within the air circulation pipe. That helps eliminate odour, and keeps the air moving around the compost as it processes. We've had our composting toilet in operation for almost a month now, and are very pleased.

We purchased our toilet at Pete's Plumbing here in Powell River. It's important to shop local. There's also a new distributor in town, Justin Behan. He also provides other cabin services such as cargo delivery, flotation cubes, propane tanks, and anchor rope supply. You can reach Justin at (604) 483-6527.

As you can see, the air circulation pipe rises above the roof line and has a built-in rain deflector. There's also an overflow tube just to make sure there are no accidents indoors.

Our bathtub has been in our downstairs storage room for several years. Now it's part of a real bathroom. The tub, however, isn't connected for hot or cold water. Our bathtub is a cold weather luxury. In the summer, our natural swimming pool is all we need for a cooling swim or wash.

We'll continue to heat our water on the wood stove. I can fit four large pots on the surface at the same time, and a hot winter fire will get them almost boiling. Add an equal amount of cold water, and you have enough for a nice soak or soaping down. And there's nothing like bathing with a friend to save water.

The bathroom will give us some additional space for storage, but that's another story. -- Margy

Growing Garlic

2011-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is the first year I've tried growing garlic. It sounded like a good crop for a summer I wouldn't be around much for tending and watering.

I planted the cloves in late March in several of my unused pots on the deck. This make for easier to water. By June, they looked like this. Of course, I didn't know what was happening under the ground.

In September, I pulled up my first crop. I call it a qualified success. Of the fifteen cloves I planted, they all sprouted. Of those that sprouted, ten produced bulbs. What was unusual about my bulbs was that they had no wrappers. After doing some research online, I think I let them stay in the ground too long. If you have any suggestions for next year, I'd love to hear them. -- Margy

Strawberry Nursery

2011-10-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

I'm pulling out my strawberr y bed. They will stay productive for about three to four years if renovated and maintained. Mine's been in the same spot in my garden under the watchful eye of Mr. Bunny ever since the float was built by John in 2003.

It's also time to rotate the location. The plants will get some refreshed soil and the grubs they leave behind will lose their hosts and die.

Strawberries send out runners from the mother plants to propagate new ones. At the beginning of the season, I remove all runners so the plants will use their energy for berry production. At the end of the season, I let the runners root themselves. As I am pulling up the old strawberry plants, I'm saving the new clones and placing them in my empty barrels on the deck.

The deep barrel protects the small plants from the fall and winter winds. The sides of the barrels reflect the sun on the soil, enhancing the warmth. Here's the nursery for my new strawberry bed to be planted next spring. And because these strawberries are clones from the mother plants, I know they will be good producers. -- Margy

Cirrocumulus Clouds

2011-10-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

One thing I really like about living in the northwest is clouds. When I lived in Los Angeles, there was mostly high and low stratus. Up here we have such a variety.

We also have more time and reasons to be outdoors. Last week while out boating, we saw some cirrocumulus clouds. The day started overcast, then cleared to sunny and windy, then started clouding over again.

Cirrocumulus clouds are high altitude, around 12 kilometres (39,000 feet). They occur in patches or sheets, and are made up of ice crystals. Brrr!

Clouds can also help us forecast the weather. This was the last of the sun for a couple days and the rain arrived about 20 hours later. -- Margy

Storing Potatoes for Winter Use

2011-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

I grow potatoes in two places. Up on the hill I have a small plot of soil that I've been increasing in size with compost. This year I planted Norland red potatoes up there. Down on the deck I used two large barrels to grow Yukon Golds. Last week I dug them all up to store for winter use.

Here's my bounty. I left them in the sun to dry and to allow the skin to firm up. It is best not to wash potatoes before storage. Just brush off any excess dirt and then inspect them for damage. Damaged spuds should be eaten as soon as possible. They do not store well and may damage your good produce.

Always store potatoes away from light and temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius are best. If they get too cold, the starch will turn to sugar and cause them to be sweet. Paper bags, burlap bags or cardboard boxes are good for potato storage. Do not use a plastic bag. Trapped moisture will accelerate spoilage. Avoid storing potatoes with apples, onions or garlic. They produce a gas that causes potatoes to spoil quickly. If potatoes are exposed to the light they will turn green. Remove any green portions before eating. Potatoes are a member of the Deadly Nightshade family, and the green part is poisonous.

This year I'm wrapping my potatoes in newspaper and storing them is open sided plastic baskets ($1.00 each at the Dollar Store). This keeps them away from the light and separates them from neighboring potatoes. The paper allows the potatoes to "breathe" but also prevents too much moisture from escaping. Properly stored potatoes will remain dormant and will not sprout for about three months after harvesting. That makes for lots of comfort food meals throughout the winter months. -- Margy

BC Ferries to Powell River

2011-10-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

Today we are traveling to Powell River with Mom, and riding in her car is the easiest mode of transportation. Mom lives in Bellingham, so it's only an hour and a half to the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay. We add 30 minutes just to be sure we make our ferry on time. We drive straight north on Guide Meridian Road to the border. Our favorite crossing point is Aldergrove.

The inspections on both the Canadian and American sides have always been efficient and courteous. That is a huge plus. Once across the border, we continue straight north about 7 miles (11 km) on 264th Street to Canada Highway 1. Highway 1 takes us all the way to Horseshoe Bay without going through downtown. Some caution, however, should be taken to avoid morning and evening rush hours.

Horseshoe Bay is the terminal for BC Ferries to the Sunshine Coast (Langdale), Nanaimo (Vancouver Island) and nearby Bowen Island. Signage is excellent and easy to follow. Our first ferry is from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. On a clear day, you can see up Howe Sound to the snow capped peaks surrounding Whistler. The ferry takes 40 minutes to travel 9.7 nautical miles. You can go up to the passenger deck or outside in good weather. The Queen of Surrey is the regular ferry on this route and it has a gift shop (with lots of local books) and a cafeteria.

Langdale is next to the town of Gibsons. Take a few minutes to drive through Gibson's Landing. If you aren't in a hurry, stop for a bite at Molly's Reach. It's perched overlooking the harbour and is well known from its role in the Canadian television series The Beachcombers. There are also lots of quaint shops along this route. We usually stop on our way south when we are assured of making the ferry on time.

The drive between our Langdale and Earls Cove is 52 miles (84 km). It takes about and hour and a half due to the two lane winding road. You can make a direct connection in most cases. There are few services at Earls Cove. In the summer there is a cafe, but winter months offer only a restroom facility. We typically stop for a to-go meal as we pass through Sechelt.

The ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay takes 50 minutes to travel 10.5 nautical miles. The Island Sky, one of the newer ships in the fleet, is the regular ferry on this route. Again, you will pass through unsurpassed scenery. You will glide past green, tree covered coastal islands. Look up Hotham Sound to discover pristine glaciated peaks.

The drive between Saltery Bay and Powell River is 22 miles (34 km). Plan about 30 minutes. Along the way you will get glimpses of the Strait of Georgia with Texada Island in the distance. Powell River Visitors Bureau has excellent maps on their website.

Many ferry travelers continue on to Vancouver Island from Powell River. I highly recommend that you take a few days to explore our region before you continue. There are many options to stay: camp, RV, hotel or bed and breakfast. Maybe you will be like us, captured by the beauty and people of the area. You can read about some of our adventures in BC Coastal Stories by my husband, Wayne Lutz. Books are available online at www.PowellRiverBooks.com

or locally at Coles and Breakwater Books.

You can get additional information about the area at the following websites.

City of Powell River
Toursim Powell River
Powell River PEAK
Powell River Regional District
Chamber of Commerce
Powell River Direct

Come see us soon! -- Margy

Mother Nature Blowing Bubbles

2011-10-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

A phenomenon we've seen at the cabin quite frequently when it's raining is bubbles on the surface of the calm water in our natural swimming pool.

S.T. Thoroddsen of the National University of Singapore gave a presentation at the 2001 meeting of the American Physical Society:

The formation of bubbles on puddles is a common sight during heavy rain. Here we investigate the impact dynamics during bubble formation. High-speed video shows how the well-known Worthington crown closes above the crater to form the bubble. The closing bubble forms two jets one going up and the other down into the forming bubble, thus creating a toroidal cavity, which becomes unstable leaving a single bubble.

That's a very scientific explanation for such a natural process.

While all of these bubbles were forming on the calm water behind our cabin, there were absolutely none out front where the wind was rippling the water's surface. I wonder if that was part of his presentation? Have you ever noticed this trick of Mother Nature? -- Margy

North to Alaska

2011-10-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

On the way home from our boat trip, we saw the Alaska Ferry leaving its berth at the Port of Bellingham in Fairhaven. The ferry service starts passengers on their way through the extensive Alaska Marine Highway System.

Bellingham to Ketchikan, Alaska, takes about a day and a half. Leaving at 6:00 p.m., the first twelve hours of the trip through beautiful British Columbia will be in darkness this time of year. That's such a shame.

But the departure sunsets may make up for it a bit. -- Margy

Inati Bay Rest Stop

2011-10-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Friday, Wayne and I took the Bellingham Boat (our Bayliner 2452) out for a spin. The weather was partly sunny with an early northwest wind of about 10 knots. The boating conditions on Bellingham Bay can get pretty choppy even in a light wind because there's such a long reach between shores. It was safe, but a bit bouncy.

We crossed the bay to a favourite location of local boaters, Inati Bay. It's a protected anchorage on Lummi Island that is maintained by the Bellingham Yacht Club. Beach access, however, is restricted to Bellingham Yacht Club members. Today the water was somewhat "lumpy" with the northwest swells splashing in. On the east side, you can see a log skid, evidence of historic logging. The property is private, part of the Lummi tribal lands.

From inside Inati Bay, you can see across the water to Bellingham. I bet this is a beautiful spot at night with all the flickering lights of civilization far away, and the restful lap of water on your hull up close. We'll have to return another day. -- Margy

Is it time to leave yet?

2011-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday we're all packing into Betha (Mom's big white Buick) and heading for Powell River for a month of fun and hopefully some Indian Summer sun.

This picture makes Mom's cat look like he's a good traveler. Stick Tail has improved over time, but it's hard to overcome getting car sick. But once he's through purging, he settles down in the back seat for the rest of the trip. I learned a lot about traveling with cats over the years. Click here to see some handy tips. -- Margy

Stormy Weather

2011-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

This time of year our weather swings from stormy to sunny. At the beginning of the week it was wet and windy. Looking towards Grief Point you could see the clouds building to a climax.

And the ocean was responding with rough seas not fit for man or boat.

Take a look at my post from Wednesday to see how this tug struggled with his load waiting for better weather. -- Margy

"To bed, to bed," says sleepy head;

2011-09-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

"Tarry awhile," says Slow;
"Put on the pot," says Greedy-Gut,
"We'll sup before we go."

I loved it when my dad would tell me this nursery rhyme at bedtime. Well, it was time for my garden to go to bed for the winter. On the few sunny days I had at the cabin last week, I worked hard to get the last of my produce out (potatoes and garlic) and seeds saved (carrots and beans). Once that was done, the herbs were trimmed and the asparagus ferns cut down.

My raised beds on the garden float are only about 10 inches deep. I worry about my asparagus roots freezing and getting damaged. So each year when I cut the ferns down, I save the feathery tops to place on top for mulch. In addition, this year I pulled up part of my old strawberry bed (it needs to be replaced with younger stock), and spread the leaves under the fern tops for extra protection.

So far mulching has worked well, and in late May the new asparagus shoots are ready for a tasty meal.

This has been a record year for my floating garden. It made the news in:

It'll be a hard (but fun) year to follow. -- Margy

Saving the Load

2011-09-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, Wayne and I were getting ready to take Pacific Coastal Airlines from Powell River back to Vancouver. It was quite a blustery day, so we weren't looking forward to a bumpy ride.

When I got up at about 8:00, I saw a tug with it's large load heading south when I got up. I assumed they were going to tie up near Grief Point and wait out the storm. When I looked out again at 11:30, the tug was struggling with its load. We had to leave before the resolution, but here is what I saw.

The tug was the Pacific Fury. The Pacific Fury was built in 1969 and is 19.32 metres in length. With her 1,440 brake horsepower engine, she can handle a gross tonnage of 118. She is one of seven vessels operated by Pacific Cachalot Ltd. out of Campbell River. -- Margy

YVR to Powell River on Pacific Coastal Airlines

2011-09-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

When time is short, and we want a fun travel experience, we fly between our home in Powell River to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Pacific Coastal Airlines. When we are traveling north from Bellingham, we catch our flight at the South Terminal where parking is plentiful and easy. It is only a 25 minute flight up the coast, but the views of Vancouver Island, the Strait of Georgia and the glaciated Coastal Range are superb. Come fly with me and see.

Pacific Coastal Airlines serves many Vancouver Island, Coastal BC and Interior communities. One place I want to fly to someday is Masset on Haida Gwaii. Maybe I could even meet Carolyn of Living on the Edge. She makes her island home seem like a great place to visit and live. -- Margy

Simple Seed Saving

2011-09-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday you read about my carrot seed saving experiment. It was two years in the making. Here's a more simple seed saving experience.

If you've been following my blog, you know my garden space is limited to four raised beds on a cedar log float and containers on the deck of our cabin. Even with that small configuration, it provides Wayne and I will quite a variety (if not quantity) of fruits and vegetables.

One of my more successful plants grown in a pot is green beans. I've chosen Scarlet Runner Beans for several reasons: 1) they climb tall, 2) the beans can be eaten or canned fresh, 3) the large seeds are good in soups and chili, 4) the seeds can be dried for storage, and 4) the lovely red flowers are attractive to humans and hummingbirds.

Wayne doesn't cook many vegetables when he's alone at the cabin. So, when I returned, there were lots of beans dry on the stalks. The hard pods crack open easily to release the large seeds inside. To make sure they are completely dry before storage, I leave them out for a week or so on shelf in the warm cabin. Then some will go into paper envelopes and labeled for planting next spring. The rest will be used (after soaking) for hearty winter meals.

Do you save seeds? What are some good ones you collect and keep? -- Margy

Carrots Gone Wild: Saving Seeds Part 2

2011-09-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

On my July trip to the cabin, I found that my carrots from 2010 had gone wild. Normally I leave my carrots in the ground through the winter to pick as needed, but last year I didn't get back as anticipated. Consequently, my remaining carrots completed their two year cycle and went to seed.

My friend Margaret here in Powell River suggested I try saving the seeds. She said covering the flower heads with muslin (I used cheesecloth) would contain the seeds. When I got home this week, the heads were all dry and ready to pick. There were more seeds than I could ever use, so I chose the biggest and best.

Removing the seeds from the heads was easy. All I had to do was rub them with my finger and then fell right off. I did find a few aphids, so I finished drying them outdoors on the porch. There's plenty for me and for Margaret to share.

Now the big question is, what will they produce? I'm not sure what variety I planted two years ago. I think they are either Scarlet Nantes or Chantenay. If so, they are probably non-hybrids and will reproduce true. If not, who knows what may result. I plan to plant the seeds in one of my four raised beds next spring and see what happens. It's worth a try to complete the experiment. -- Margy

Hummingbird Migration

2011-09-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Most birds migrate south for the winter. But this hummingbird flew all the way north from Seal Beach, California, to spend his winter (and all future seasons) at our float cabin on Powell Lake.

When I was in Southern California earlier this month, I played hooky from work and went to the beach. After an afternoon lounging in the sun, I found Up Up & Away Kites up Main Street. And inside, I found this wonderful whirligig. Doesn't he look great in his new British Columbia home? -- Margy

Wild Horses in the Sky

2011-09-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

The end of summer has come with changeable weather. One indicator in the sky is mare's tails. They are wispy high altitude cirrus clouds that can be an indication that stormy, windy weather is on the way.

Cirrus clouds are made of water vapor that has formed into ice crystals. They are high clouds, about 8,000 metres (26,000 ft.) above sea level. Varying wind speeds at different altitudes cause the wisps to be pulled out in the characteristic horse tail configuration.

And at sunset, they paint the sky with a wonderful warm strokes. -- Margy

7 Awesome Things about Fall in Powell River

2011-09-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Summer's over and Fall is upon us, but vacations come in all seasons. I invite you to come visit the most wonderful place on earth, Powell River, BC.

1. A coastal cruise. When is the mainland an island? When you need to take a ferry to get there of course. BC Ferries serves Powell River. You can easily turn your visit into a Circle Route vacation. Check out the Experience Card for extra savings. On the Vancouver to Powell River route you will travel through majestic fjords and pass towering snow-capped peaks. It's an E-ticket ride for sure.

2. Romantic places to stay. Up and down the Sunshine Coast you will find signs directing you to great out-of-the-way places to stay. South of Powell River look for Kent's Beach or Garnet Rock if you have an RV. Pull off at the seaside Suncatcher B&B or the Oceanside Resort and Cabins, or immerse yourself in history at the Townsite's Old Courthouse Inn. If you are headed north, try a cabin in the woods at the Desolation Resort and grab one of their fall specials or even try a float cabin.

3. Outback adventures. Fall is perfect for exploring the back country. Logging and forest roads take you to trails, lakes and quiet forests. The Powell River ATV Club loves to help visiting riders. They even have a map book with GPS coordinates available at Guy's Cycle Works or Quality Parts. Some of our favourite destinations are Tony Lake, Edgehill Trail System and Elephant Lakes. You can read about more ATV adventures in Up the Main and Farther up the Main.

4. Historic Patricia Theatre. The Patricia is the oldest, continuously running theatre in BC. It started with silent movies in 1913 in an old mill building. In 1928, it moved into its current location. Walk in the front door and step into old time elegance. Catch the a first run film at 7:00 pm nightly or one of the Art Film series features. Adult tickets are $9.00 except on Monday cheap tickets night for $5.50.

5. Events and festivals. Powell Riverites love community events. Things not to miss include the Max Cameron Theatre series, Powell River Academy of Music series. September 24-25 Fall Fair, October 1 Salmon Celebration, November 22-27 Festival of Trees, December 3 Santa Claus Parade, and several holiday choral events. For more activities, read Around Town in the PEAK or PowellRiverDirect.com.

6. Hiking. Whether it's a stroll down historic Willingdon Beach Trail or the 180 km Sunshine Coast Trail, we have a path for every ability. Inland Lake's circumnavigating trail is partially wheelchair accessible. Stop by Breakwater Books or Coles to get Eagle Walz's books (Sunshine Coast Trail Guidebook and Along the Edge of the Salish Sea) about hiking around Powell River or Wayne's Up the Winter Trail. Also, stop by the Visitor Centre for maps and information.

7. Heading up the lake. Fall is a wonderful time to experience life on the lake. I love living in a float cabin up the lake in Hole in the Wall, sitting in front of the wood stove fire with a good book. You can rent a float cabin to experience life on the lake for yourself. You can also read about off the grid living on Powell Lake in Up the Lake and Farther Up the Lake by Wayne J. Lutz at www.PowellRiverBooks.com.

Stop at the Tourism Powell River Visitor Centre in the Crossroads Village Shopping Centre next to Quality Foods on Mondays through Fridays 9:00-5:00. They will give you great tips about our wonderful community. Pick up a free Powell River Living magazine or buy a Powell River PEAK to see what's happening around town. Need more reasons to come? Visit the Tourism Powell River website. I'll see you here soon! -- Margy

PRB Highlighted on BigPacific.com

2011-09-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Powell River Books was discovered online by Editor/Publisher Laurie McConnell of BigPacific.com. She was very gracious about offering our little Powell River publishing company a reciprocal link on their list of Powell River Travel Resources. Just click here and it will take you directly to the page. Wayne and I want to thank BigPacific.com for this great opportunity.

Locals and visitors alike go to BigPacific.com for a wealth of information. Learn more about the area, find things to do, select a place to stay, discover a new restaurant. And it's not just about Powell River (even though I think it is the best part of the Sunshine Coast), it also includes information about everything from Gibsons to Lund.

The amount of information available is astounding. In addition to the regular travel resources you will also find several special features:

Big Pacific's Magazine -- This online magazine give you stories about the people and places all along the sunshine coast. There's even one about my online friend Duane Burnett.

Sunshine Coast Social Network -- You can join for free. More active members are needed. If you'd like to communicate with other Sunshine Coasters, this is the place. Share stories, photos, videos and more.

There's too much to describe in a single post. You've got to go to BigPacific.com and see for yourself. -- Margy

Stick Speaks Out

2011-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi. My name is Stick Tail, but Mommy calls me Kitty Cat and sometimes Pepper. I came to live with her in 2007 when we all moved from Los Angeles to Bellingham, Washington. My relocation was touted as "retirement," but I've been on the job ever since. You can read more about it here.

One year ago this coming week, Mommy was rushed to the hospital for back surgery. For the week she was in the hospital and the following three weeks of inpatient rehab, I bunked in with Wayne and Margy. But I sent this picture to go on the wall next to Mommy's bed, begging her to get well soon. I really missed her!

I was so glad when I heard she was finally coming home to live with me again. Little did I know that things were going to be very different. Instead of walking through the door, she came in a big, black, scary chair with wheels. I didn't want my already shortened tail (thanks to a coyote in LA) to get stuck in that! But when Mommy got in her regular chair in the living room, I felt like she was really home to stay.

My "furby" kind of love has been crucial in Mommy's recovery. Recently she gave up the hospital bed and bought us a larger one so we can cuddle like the old days.

And I've gotten better about welcoming guests into our home. First came the visiting nurses and therapists, and now Home Attendant Care assistants regularly join us. And Wayne and Margy are around more often to make sure I get my "three squares" plus snacks a day.

Mommy leaves me home alone somethings to go to rehab with Kenny at the St. Joseph Medical Center South Campus. He's helping her to learn how to stand and walk again, so I'm OK with that. Mommy sure is a trooper for being 95 years young. I hope I'm as determined at that age.

Do you have a working critter in your home? I'd love to hear his or her story. -- Stick Tail (Kitty Cat)

Almost Full Moon

2011-09-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I treated myself to a girl's night out on our boat in Squalicum Harbor.

The moon was one day shy of full.

But it still gave me a natural night light just the same. For great skies from around the world, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday. -- Margy

Burlington Northern Caboose 10792

2011-09-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

The history of Bellingham is linked with trains. At the end of the 19th Century, regional lines were built to encourage economic development and to transport natural resources to market. Head on over to the Bellingham Train Museum for more information.

Today, tracks run through downtown along the shoreline carrying passengers and freight from Canada to destinations south and east. If I leave my window open at night, I can hear their haunting whistles.

Last weekend when I spent the night on our boat in Squalicum Harbor, I saw an interesting sight. It was an old caboose on a siding. You don't see many of those any more. And this one had seen better days.

This is caboose number 10792 from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway. As you can see, she is in quite a state of disrepair. It made me curious to find out a bit about her history. Doesn't she look like she has lots of stories to tell?

I went online and found this picture of her in 1983 from the Burlington Northern photo archive. As you can see, she has changed a lot in 28 years. Her side windows have been welded over for some reason. And obviously the paint has been changed and patched over and over.

I also found a picture taken of her on the job in 1989. At that time she was seen passing through Greenland, Colorado. This was on the Colorado Joint Line that runs north and south between Denver and Pueblo. I found this picture at theBlueComet.com website. The next reference I found has her in located Vancouver, WA, in 1998.

The final reference I found was at www.RailcarPhotos.com. By 2009, Caboose 10792 was in the Balmer Yard in Seattle looking basically like she does today. At this site I learned she was built in 1973, is 41 feet 8 inches long outside, and 30 feet long inside.

As I walked past I wondered what it would be like to convert her into a home. Maybe living in a float cabin has made me think a little bit out of the "boxcar." Couldn't you just imagine making the cupola into a bedroom loft? Of course, it would be the best to find an old siding where you could set her up and be able to hear and feel the trains as they rumble past. What do you think? -- Margy

Rocky Leftovers

2011-09-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday was International Rock Flipping Day hosted by Susannah over at Wanderin' Weeta. You can see my post here and the overall results here. While I was taking pictures for my post, I found a few other interesting shots.

Back under a willow it looks like Bigfoot found a cool spot for a nap on a hot summer day.

Farther down the beach he built a fort with driftwood. It must have been Bigfoot doing the lifting, because some of those logs way up on top look VERY heavy. I bet some Littlefeet now enjoy it for imaginative play.

And the power of Mother Nature was evident in the worn roots of the trees just above high tide line. The trees are healthy, but the roots have been rubbed smooth and embedded with rocks. In summer, Squalicum Beach is calm, but in winter it must really rage. -- Margy

Cozy Corner Books & Coffee

2011-09-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

If you're driving southeast on Northwest Avenue (now doesn't that have a ring to it?) towards Bellingham, there is a great used bookstore just waiting to be found. They have recently moved to a larger location in the Northwest Shopping Center near the Village Inn restaurant and across the street from Yeager's Sporting Goods.

The Cozy Corner Books & Coffee is a treasure. It's now located at 3094 Northwest Avenue. There's plenty of parking in the large lot out front and lots of aisles of shelve of reasonably priced lightly used books inside.

As the name implies, it has coffee and other yummy things to drink and nibble. You can enjoy your latte as you browse the stacks, or relax by the fireplace. And that's not all they have to offer. They also have a Children's Imagination Area and free games for all ages.

Of course, there are books -- lots of them. They are conveniently organized by subject and author. Several cozy alcoves give you a feeling of privacy. Soft chairs and stools are scattered throughout the store to encourage you to stay and read. They even have a trade credit program to bring in your old books and get your "new" purchases at even better prices.

I went to visit the new store yesterday and got four great titles (including a great Square Foot Gardening book) for about $10.00. How can you beat that?

If you are a book lover, you've got to visit Cozy Corner. And they just opened a branch in Ferndale. Twice the fun! -- Margy

5th Annual International Rock Flipping Day

2011-09-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today is my first Rock Flipping Day. I've wanted to participate for three years now, but I've always been in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles and it just doesn't work out. But this year, I'm up north with lots and lots of great rocks to flip.

I picked Squalicum Beach for my first rock flip. I figured along the shore there would be lots to see. The first section of the beach is sandy, but as you walk along the shore it turns to pebbles and then larger rocks. There were lots of wave smoothed rocks to choose from. And the presence of seaweed along the tide line made me hopeful.

I picked a medium sized rock at the water line for my flip. I figured critters would like the intertidal zone for a home.

But when I flipped my rock over, here is what I found.

What I found wasn't what I expected, a crushed beer can. I looked carefully but found no evidence of anything moving or tucked in a seaside home. I'm not sure what this says about my bay. It sure looked like good critter territory. Even though I found no visible life, I replaced the rock just in case there was someone down deep waiting for their roof to return.

Would you like to participate? There's still a bit of time left. I learned about Rock Flipping Day from the current organizer, Susannah over at Wanderin' Weeta, but it was started by Dave Bonta and Bev Wigney in 2007. Here's how it goes.

On September 11th find your rock(s) to flip.
Record what you find.
Replace the rock; it's someone's home.
Post on your blog, or load photos to the Flickr group.
E-mail Susannah a link or comment on any IRFD post.
If you're on Twitter, the hashtag is #rockflip.

It's flipping fun! - Margy

Barn Swallow Renovations

2011-09-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

Each summer we eagerly await the Barn Swallows who choose to raise their families under the peak of our roof. And I say families literally. Bert and his Lovely Lady arrive each year in early June.

After a feeding frenzy on the newly hatched bugs, Bert and his Lovely Lady settle down to rebuild the remnants of their nest from the last year. Of course, we're not sure, but we believe the same pair returns each year.

Both parents work on the nest, and tend their eggs and brood in tandem. In July, the fledglings are ready to leave the nest, and Mom and Bert waste no time rebuilding it to get one more batch of babies in before they have to leave for their winter home somewhere in Central or South America. Seems like there is no rest for the wicked, or mating Barn Swallows alike.

Over the years I've written quite a bit about or Barn Swallows. Here are a few quick links.

Barn Swallows Come to Roost
And Then There Were None
Barn Swallow Update
Three's A Charm
Helping Hands
Avian Trampoline

Now that they've come and gone again for another year, we hope they (or another pair) will return come June. -- Margy

Up Above and Down Below

2011-09-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

The sky above my floating cabin on Powell Lake in Coastal BC gives me lots of opportunities for spectacular cloud shots.
Right in front of my cabin is Goat Island. This time of year the sun rises in the middle notch at about 9:00 a.m. Here you can see a mackerel sky just after our sunrise. When the lake is calm, we get a mirror reflection of the sky. Here's the mackerel sky framed by the brow log of our cedar log float structure.

Whether it is up above, or down below, the sky at our cabin home is always picturesque. For great skies from around the world, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday. -- Margy

Just Released: Farther Up the Strait

2011-09-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Just Released

from
www.PowellRiverBooks.com

Farther Up the Strait

Coastal BC Stories

Boating on the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, and the islands to the north. Stories of the people and places of coastal British Columbia, where the mountains drop into the sea and lifestyles focus on self-reliance and a different sense of purpose. This book, based on the original Up the Strait, has more great boating stories and adventures.

Go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com for ordering information.

Print for $16.95
Kindle for $3.99
E-book for $3.99

Starting Out in the Afternoon

2011-09-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned, I like reading books about the regions I know and love, or places I would like to explore. Recently I was exploring Kindle books online and found Starting Out in the Afternoon: A Mid-Life Journey into Wild Land by Jill Frayne.

I selected her book for some additional reasons: Jill took the journey on her own (inspiring to me), and she is a female author writing a memoir (something I hope to do in the future).

Jill was coming to changes in her life including an ending relationship and a daughter coming of age. She takes this time to strike out on her own to explore her own desires and abilities. She packs up her car with camping gear and heads out on her own to Northern British Columbia, Alaska, and the Yukon. I call my solo excursions "freedom trips," but I've never dreamed of or done anything quite as extensive.

Jill first camped her way across Canada from her home in Ontario. Her first destination is Haida Gwaii for a grueling two-week kayak adventure. Then it's up the Inside Passage with only a bike for transportation. On this portion of the trip, she takes a side excursion to Atlin. Jill falls in love with this isolated, rural small town and returns many times over the next ten years. I can relate to that. It's almost like our accidental discovery of Powell River and instant attraction.

Jill is both adventurous and cautious at the same time. She puts herself in situations that stretch her abilities to the max. She enjoys the solitude of the wilderness, but desires human interaction along the way. Her story struck many common threads in my life. That made it even more enjoyable to read.

You can purchase Starting Out in the Afternoon in both print and Kindle formats at Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: The photos come from my travels and are used as examples only. -- Margy