#ThrowbackThursday: Two Decades of Float Cabin Maintenance and Improvements
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| Our cabin at the wall of Hole in the Wall. |
Our float cabin at Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake, BC, was built in 1997 by our good friend John. He has an extraordinary talent for lashing together cedar log floats and building cabins from the waterline up.
We purchased the cabin in 2001, and with John's expert help we've maintained and improved it. He's a Jack of all trades who never ceases to amaze us.
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| John and our Cabin #3, the third one he built. |
Here are some of the projects I've written about since I began blogging in 2006. Follow the links to see the stories.
Floating woodshed in 2007.
Repairing our log boom in 2008.
Adding barrels for extra flotation in 2008 and 2015.
Woodstove blow back solution in 2009.
Wind generator in 2009.
Bathroom and porch addition in 2011.
Indoor plumbing in 2011.
A new coat and colour of paint in 2011.
New propane stove and refrigerator in 2011.
Custom shelves made by John in 2012.
Upgraded ceiling insulation in 2014.
Pine paneling in 2014.
Making a new anchor in 2015.
Float log burning (carefully) for dry rot in 2015.
Solar system upgrades in 2015.
Enlarging our protective log boom in 2016.
A new front deck in 2017.
Xplornet satellite Internet in 2017.
Float cabin anchor repair in 2017.
Renewed floating garden in 2019.
The most recent project was replacing the main deck. John did the whole project for us. He arranged for old growth cedar boards to be cut to specification. The largest load went up on our barge.
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| The side and front deck. |
Main cabin cedar deck replaced in 2020 - Part 1.
Main cabin cedar deck replaced in 2020 - Part 2.
In writing this post, I was amazed at how many projects we completed with John's help over the last two decades. And there's one more big one to come. Once the weather clears, John will repaint the exterior. We like the current pale yellow with forest green trim, so that's what he will use.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you. -- Margy
Posts
Fascinating retrospective on your cabin.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to check it out. - Margy
DeleteI'm amazed too!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem like much when you do things one at a time. And of course there a lot more little items I didn't include. - Margy
DeleteMargy - two decades! What an accomplishment. Any home requires ongoing maintenance, especially if you want it to last, and it appears that you have made those all-important ongoing investments! And improved your living space along the way. Thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday, my friend!
ReplyDeleteIt was such an inexpensive cabin to start with, only $25,000 USD. But over time we've invested a lot more than that. Even so, it's a relatively inexpensive place to live in all seasons. - Margy
DeleteYour float cabin is marvellous! Wishing you all the best in 2020!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the visit. A prosperous 2020 back to you. - Margy
DeleteHello, you have made your floating home so comfy.
ReplyDeleteSo many great projects completed, it is a wonderful home. Your friend sounds amazing. Happy Monday, wishing you a great day and a happy new week!
The biggest project to make it comfy was the bathroom addition with a compost toilet. Before that we had to climb the hill to get to the outhouse. Not very handy at night or in storms. - Margy
DeleteWow. I need someone like John! I was just thinking about a list of our upgrades!
ReplyDeleteI was checking out the eavestrough, and it needs help in these pouring rains.
He's a life saver for sure. Our eves troughs were okay but he added a better downspout to it wouldn't back up so much (without even asking). - Margy
DeleteHow wonderful that you are keeping this cabin in such great condition! I love it~ Thanks for sharing on Farm Fresh Tuesdays!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us a place to share our stories. - Margy
DeleteYou've done wonders with this place. I'm so impressed.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
The elements take a toll if you don't. - Margy
DeleteWe are DIY people and enjoy admiring other people’s projects. Working on a float house certainly adds another dimension to the whole deal. Currently, Bill is adding a second bath to our little “cottage.(The first one is so tiny it barely qualifies, although it contains all the necessities.)
ReplyDeleteAdding the bathroom to the cabin was our best move. It's just the opposite in the RV. I've taken over the shower stall for a closet. Because our rig is so small there wasn't enough room for both of us to store clothes for our long trip. I don't mind using the park showers. - Margy
DeleteI'm blown away, Margy! Your blog posts just add more joy to my whole experience of reading Wayne's books and our little correspondences back-&-forth over the last few years. I have to satisfy myself with living vicariously through your stories (both, yours & Wayne's. Keep up the great writing & photos, both of you, & have a Great New Year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and letting me know you are safe and well. Thanks for all your support over the years. - Margy
DeleteMargy - two decades! Amazing! Home maintenance and improvement never ends, but it is easier if you stay on top of it! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteIn some ways it seems longer, and others shorter. - Margy
DeleteI love this timeline for all that you've done and what a wonderful and amazing retreat you have created. You must be so proud of your accomplishments! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteAs it is happening it doesn't seem like much, but put into a timeline it shows all of the progress over time. It was a fun post to write. - Margy
DeleteThat’s amazing to look back at all you have done with your float home. John has been wonderful for you... a friend as well as a great talent!
ReplyDeleteWithout John we couldn't have enjoyed both our cabin and our mobile life, especially now with the RV and being isolated in Bellingham so far away. - Margy
DeleteYou are fortunate to have such a good and skilled handyman as John. You kept a good record of your two decades of improvements and maintenance. It's so interesting to follow your off the grid life.
ReplyDeleteI love digital photography. I can just go back by year to review where's we've been. - Margy
DeleteThis seems so cool!
ReplyDeleteThat's what we though back in 2001 when we first saw the cabin. - Margy
DeleteI would like to spend a day in a cabin like yours! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are a few rental cabins people can try out for themselves. - Margy
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