ATV Enthusiast

Before I discovered Powell River, I was a horse woman. As a kid I saved my allowance to rent a horse for an hour a week. I pestered my parents until I got Misty in junior high. I lived in Compton, California, so having a horse meant boarding it along the Los Angeles River. 

In the early years, the Los Angeles River was natural with sand, willows and Horned Toads. By the time I got my first horse Misty, it was a cement channel with trails along the side. Next came Burke, then another Misty, followed by Cowboy.

Soon after Wayne and I bought our float cabin on Powell Lake, our good friend John introduced us to off-road riding. My first try was a Honda 100 off-road motorcycle. I had one riding lesson at the gravel pit and it was clear, bike riding wasn't for me.

John suggested a quad (easier to stay upright) with an automatic transmission. So I purchased a Honda Fourtrax TRX250 ES. It was love at first sight. I used that 2-wheel drive quad for several years, and it kept me going almost everywhere with the "big guys."

But then I yearned for a 4X4 that would get me over that last hill with everyone else. So, my next ride was a Yamaha Kodiak 450 4X4. I always thought my smaller quad was easier to drive, but I was wrong. This time it was love at first ride. Wayne, on his own Kodiak, and I ride the many Powell River back country roads and trails. Click here to see some of our adventures. We are also members of the Powell River ATV Club. Riding with John and our quad Club friends helps us learn more about the wonderful place we live. -- Margy

Hazy Bellingham Bay

Flying this time of year gives you hazy views of nearby Bellingham Bay. 

 Even with a cloud cover and light mist, a hazy sun shines through.

I'll take haze any day as long as the wind isn't blowing and the skies are smooth. -- Margy

A Boat with No Name

It's winter and our 2452 Bayliner in Bellingham has been out of the water for her annual maintenance. She's now back afloat with some creatively named neighbours.  However, our boat has no name. We bought her that way and haven't gotten around to christening her with an official moniker.

But name, or no name, she's my favourite boat. I love her spacious interior (compared to our 23' model) and the raised bridge for good viewing. I love the way she takes rougher water, and we've added an enclosure to make it warmer to boat in the winter.   What's not to love.

Using the names of some her Squalicum Harbor neighbours, this year

I am ...

 to live life

 

and come to my marina

with greater

to enjoy a

  

sunrise.

Now that's putting some boat names to good use. -- Margy

Bellingham International Airport

Our airplane 997 is home based at Bellingham International Airport (BLI).  BLI is located in northwest Washington near the Canadian border. This places it in an excellent position for border crossings. Customs and Immigration services are available on the field. It is also a good jumping off point for the San Juan Islands in the nearby Puget Sound (see San Juan Island Flying Adventure).

There's plenty of transient parking on the ramp and services include fuel (Bellingham Aviation Services and Bellingham Fuel Services), maintenance and avionics. Whatcom Territory Aero Service (360-647-2376) is our maintenance facility.

Bellingham International is expanding. In addition to private aviation, it has major carrier service provided by Alaska Airlines to destinations like Seattle, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Portland. Allegiant takes travelers direct to Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, and Phoenix.  San Juan Airlines will get you to the nearby San Juan Islands, Anacortes, Seattle, and British Columbia.

Whether you are looking for an excellent home base for your airplane, a great place to visit, or a handy departure point for a vacation or business trip, take a base turn to final and join us at Bellingham International.
 

Even on a wet winter day there's lots to see and do. -- Margy

Piper in a Puddle

Flying during winter in the Pacific Northwest can be a challenge. You can fly in the rain, but you need to dodge the clouds unless you're flying under instrument conditions.


Our Piper Arrow reflects in a puddle on the tarmac just before takeoff. -- Margy

Waves of Storms

We're in that season when waves of storms move onshore from the Pacific. Vancouver Island takes out a little of their punch (and precipitation), but the storms are still plenty strong when they reach our floating cabin on Powell Lake in British Columbia. Here are some views of partially clearing skies.

Heading up the lake during the rain isn't a problem. But if the winds are blowing strong the calm surface can be churned up into four foot waves. That's a little scary in our runabout boat.

So on days like that we stay put in our cabin and enjoy a warm fire in our wood stove. -- Margy

Get Coastal BC Stories for Kindle or E-book Reader

Do you have a Kindle or E-book reader?

PowellRiverBooks has just what you need and want at a price you can't beat. Take a look inside these exciting books in Wayne's Coastal BC Stories series. Each book focuses on a special aspect of life where mountains drop into the sea and people have a different sense of purpose.

Up the Lake with stories about hiking, boating, flying and survival off the grid in a floating cabin on Powell Lake. This was the first book in the series and has a variety of stories about the Powell River region. Kindle Introductory Offer for $.99 or E-book for Free

Up the Main focuses on getting into the backcountry by bike, quad and hiking. Come ride along with us on a quad to places like Theodosia Inlet, the head of Powell Lake and on logging roads near and far. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Up the Winter Trail takes the reader snowshoeing, hiking and biking during the winter months. This would be a good book if you are planning on coming to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $5.99.

Up the Strait cruises the Strait of Georgia to uncrowded and pristine anchorages. Follow our 24' Bayliner Halcyon Days into Desolation Sound, to unique Mittlenatch Island and the Gulf Islands. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Up the Airway wings you across Canada to show off our beautiful country from up above. Fly along with us in our Piper Arrow, land to camp at remote strips with gorgeous scenery, and meet unique animals like the muskox. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Farther Up the Lake follows in the footsteps of Wayne's most popular book, Up the Lake. Read about living off the grid in a float cabin, the beauties of Powell Lake and the many different ways you can enjoy the backcountry. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Farther Up the Main takes you beyond the original Up the Main to explore the glaciers of Mt. Alfred, the remote Theodosia wilderness, a logging road ride to our cabin, and on an impromptu overnight stay waiting for a summer swollen stream to subside. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Farther Up the Strait takes you on voyages to more remote inlets and anchorages in Desolation Sound and beyond. Did you ever want to put a new engine in your boat? Follow along as our Halcyon Days gets a new lease on life and energy boost. Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Cabin Number 5 follows John as he constructs a float cabin from the water up.  Over the years, when time and money are available, the cabin grows board by board. If you've ever dreamed of living off-the-grid, you'll enjoy Cabin Number 5 (yes, it's the fifth one John's built). Kindle for $5.99 or E-book for $6.99

Off the Grid is the newest book in Coastal BC Stories. We were city-folk when we bought our cabin, but have learned how to generate our own power, use propane for appliances, maintain a kitchen garden, live in harmony with nature, and exchange our hectic lives for a more simple lifestyle. Kindle only for $5.99

All books are available in Kindle and print formats through Amazon. Other e-book readers can find the books available online through Smashwords, Kobo, Sony, Apple, and Barnes and Noble.

Happy e-reading! -- Wayne and Margy

www.PowellRiverBooks.com