"At Home in Nature" by Rob Wood

I'm always on the lookout for books by locals, especially those that tell about living in remote locations and off the grid. I was recently looking at Facebook and saw a post by Rocky Mountain Books for one that caught my eye, At Home in Nature: A Life of Unknown Mountains and Deep Wilderness by Rob Wood (Rocky Mountain Books, 2017).

After exciting lives as rock climbers, Rob and his wife Laurie built an off-the-grid home on Maurelle Island between Vancouver Island and the mainland. I especially enjoyed the off the grid living sections of Rob's memoir.

Our boat at Surge Narrows.

There's an old saying, "Write what you know." Here's another one, "Read what you know." I enjoyed this book immensely because it made me feel connected.  I live off the grid on the mainland side of the Strait of Georgia near Powell River. We've boated through Rob's area including Surge Narrows. I've also read about the region in off-the-grid books by J. David Cox from nearby Read Island.

Heriot Bay fuel dock on Quadra.

Familiar references piqued my interest. Heriot Bay on neighbouring Quadra Island was a resupply point. Rob talked about the remote dock on Quadra and the Surge Narrows school and community center mentioned by David Cox in his books and on his blog.  I remember seeing the Misty Isles tour boat at Mitlenatch Island, and characters such as Kayak Bill who was an early extreme rock climbing partner of Rob's turned coastal hermit.

The drawing on the cover was enticing, but I would have enjoyed a few more pictures to enhance the story. A map of the region would also have been helpful for those not familiar with the area, and people who might want to visit and explore on their own.

Passing through Okisollo Channel south of Maurelle Island.

I recommend At Home by Nature for anyone who enjoys reading about people who are adventurous and are willing to live life to its fullest. It's also a great book to read if you are coming to visit Coastal BC to become familiar with the people, places and things to do.

I purchased the Kindle version because it's easier for me to read at my own off-the-grid cabin. If you prefer a print version, that's also available at Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, online booksellers and local bookstores. -- Margy