Living in an Off-Grid Float Cabin Part 1 - Discovering Float Cabins

Powell River Airport

The Furry Gnome commented that he was amazed we can live in a floating cabin. I thought I'd take a step back to tell the story.

After we purchased our Piper Arrow in 1989, we went airport camping  under the wing each summer. Our route went up the coast from California to Canada. 

We'd stop in Washington to call Nav Canada for a flight plan and CAN-PASS for customs. This became such a frequent route that one time the agent responded, "Welcome, is Margaret with you this trip?"

The cabin we chose, one of only two for sale at that time.

After years of exploring almost every province and territory, we landed in Powell River, BC, in 2000. Without airport camping, we took our gear to ocean-front Willingdon Beach Campsite. We planned to stay two nights, but extended to two weeks to explore. When summer 2001 rolled around, we returned. That was the summer we discovered Powell Lake and floating cabins.

Our first night camping on the deck while the deal finalized.

A tin boat rental let us explore the lake. We contacted Harry Zroback, a real estate agent that owned a cabin himself. He helped us broker a deal for the cabin we wanted, and introduced us to a lawyer to help us get the BC water lease needed to occupy our spot. It all happened so fast, but it was the best decision we ever made.

Our first night inside our part-time float cabin home.

 I invite you to return to read more in Part 2 about how we started living in our off-grid float cabin home. -- Margy

Want to read more about how we discovered Powell River? Wayne's first book Up the Lake in the Coastal BC Stories series tells more of the story. It's available in ebook and print formats at several online booksellers.

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Our Powell Lake float cabin home.

In May, Wayne and I drove to the Peace Arch in Blaine, WA. If you are planning to visit British Columbia, you can find information about border crossings at the Canadian Border Service Agency and US Customs and Border Protection.

We timed our crossing to catch the first of two BC Ferries needed to get to Powell River. 

Arriving at Saltery Bay means we're almost back to Powell River.

We came home to enjoy a cool summer after wintering in Arizona. After taking care of town business, we got in our Hewescraft to go 15 klicks (9 miles) to our Powell Lake float cabin home.

Heading to First Narrows with Hole in the Wall beyond.

 Purchasing our unique all-weather float cabin in 2001 was the best choice we ever made.

Over the years, I've written about our off-the-grid lifestyle, but a few years ago I stopped writing for a variety of reasons. You can still read those old informative posts using the links in the sidebar.

Whether you are a new reader, or a returning follower, welcome. -- Margy