Recently I purchased Wild Fierce Life: Dangerous Moments in the Outer Coast (Caitlin Press, 2018) by Joanna Streetly. If you've read my previous reviews, you know I enjoy books by and about women who live in remote locations, especially Coastal BC where I live.
Joanna Streetly grew up in Trinidad. At 18 she came to Vancouver to attend Capilano University to study Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. As a part of that program, she obtained a practicum position at the Wickaninnish (Kwisitis) Interpretive Centre in Pacific Rim National Park on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island.
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| Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park. |
Following her practicum she moved 40 klicks north to Tofino, a fishing, logging, tourist and surfing hub. She put her outdoor skills to work as a kayak guide and on whale watching tours. She's lived in town, land cabins and what I like best, float cabins. Almost thirty years later she still lives in a Tofino floathome with her partner and daughter.
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| Tofino's float home community at Strawberry Island. |
Wild Fierce Life is a memoir of memorable, exciting and sometimes life threatening experiences. Each chapter gives the reader a peak into what it's like growing and maturing in a rugged land and ocean environment. You can read more about Joanna at her website.
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| Vancouver Island's rugged west coast. |
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Wild Fierce Life while floating in the natural "swimming pool" at my float cabin on Powell Lake. It's not as remote or rugged as her float cabin location in Maltby Sough, but the concept is similar. Joanna is an artist. Each chapter is illustrated with a map (which I wish more authors would do) and wildlife images.
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| The Tofino coast, a surfers haven. |
Read Wild Fierce Life for a glimpse of what love, life and wilderness exploration is like in a unique coastal environment. It's available in print and ebook formats online at the following booksellers. -- Margy
Caitlin Press - Her Publisher
Amazon.ca (print and Kindle apps and readers)
Amazon.com (print and Kindle apps and readers)
Barnes and Noble (print and Nook readers)
Apple Books (through the Books app)
Kobo (for Kobo apps and readers)
Other books by Joanna Streetly include:
Silent Inlet is a fictional story about a small town on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Paddling Through Time is the account of a kayak adventure through Clayoquot Sound.
I hear you about maps. I love them!
ReplyDeleteWayne puts them usually in the front, but I enjoyed having a small one at the beginning of each chapter in Joanna's book. I know the area so it really made me understand more. - Margy
DeleteOh, how I wish I were living on a float boat these days! Instead, I'm in a US city, checking covid19 numbers daily. :( Anyway, this sounds like an interesting read. And Tofino is on my bucket list. Thank you for reviewing!
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has had a hard time of it. Washington State had the first case, but we were able to hold cases down fairly well. Tofino and Ucluelet not far to the south are beautiful places to visit. It is very popular for winter storms coming in from the Pacific. - Margy
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to live. Can't imagine not worrying about Covid and Trump every day. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWell, even though cases are fewer, the worry isn't. You just never know. And worry about Trump follows us everywhere. - Margy
DeleteMargy - sounds like just the book for me. As we pass through these last days of summer, and the days shorten, I will be looking for books to read in front of the fire! Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I get more reading done in the summer floating on a chair in the lake or sitting on the porch. - Margy
DeleteThat sounds like a book I'd enjoy reading. I just finished the book called "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains" by Isabella Bird that was written in the late 1800's and was fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIll look that one up. Sounds like my kind of book. - Margy
DeleteI feel like I was slugging though the last month of summer and now I am getting ready for the nice cool weather of fall. Enjoy your book. Thank you for your comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI've been slugging through life since March. But this isn't the time to let my guard down. - Margy
DeleteIt's good to read about people living very different lives from me. Thanks for telling me about this book.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy books about adventurous women for sure. - Margy
DeleteWhat an interesting book! I grew up in Oregon and loved visiting the coast, so I think it would bring back a lot of fond memories of the NW since I now live in Texas and it is sooo different!
ReplyDeleteElena
https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/
I got a chance to visit Texas once. You're right, it is way different in weather and attitude. - Margy
DeleteI like such books about life in the wild, about strong people. When I look at a photo I also see what is / can be "beyond" the image.
ReplyDeletePhotos make a book more real. - Margy
DeleteWhat beautiful landscape! It reminds me of Maine. I love how you find books that touch on your own experiences. I have serious boathouse envy. Sorry to be slow to visit: it was a busy start to a remote school year!
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