Hummingbird Migration

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

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

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

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

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)

Burlington Northern Caboose 10792

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

Barn Swallow Renovations

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