Hanging Out with Pacific Paragon

This year we decided to leave our ocean boat named Foghorn on the hard during the winter months we won't be using her.  She's up at Valley Marine where Jeff did her annual inspection and winterization.  You can see her in the background on the left up on blocks.

In front is a skookum (strong) ocean going tin boat, a big brother to our little 14' model. Her name is Pacific Paragon.  Paragon means "a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality" or "a person or thing viewed as a model of excellence."

If you've ever used a tin boat, paragon in an excellent choice for a name.  I'm not sure how she made her way to this boat yard in Powell River.  Her transom sports the home port of Secret Cove, BC.

We took Foghorn there on her maiden voyage (with us) from Richmond to Westview's North Harbour.  The way Pacific Paragon is parked it makes me think of a "Follow Me" vehicle used to park planes at the airport. Maybe she'll lead Foghorn back to the sea. - Margy

Log Booms

Booms of logs protect our floating cabin on Powell Lake. The log booms cut the wave action from passing boats and wind generated waves. Powell Lake is large and deep, so substantial waves can build during heavy winds. Fortunately, we are protected in the Hole in the Wall, but not completely. We have log booms along the front and side of our water lease area. A 30 metre (100 foot) rock wall serves as protection on our shore side.

Our boom is constructed from logs that have been floating in the lake for years. They are anchored to shore and the lake bottom to hold them in place. Sometimes the connections need fixing. Here's our good friend John helping us move a log back into place.

The sturdiest connection between logs is called a boom chain. They are the chains used by loggers to hold together the large booms of logs pulled to market by tugs.

We have a few of those chains in critical positions.  The rest of the logs are tied together with heavy rope and steel staples. Steel cables and shackles attach the booms to the rock wall and lake bottom anchors. -- Margy

Frosty Morning

This January we've had some clear weather, and that brings freezing temperatures.


Heading out on a frosty morning you can find lots of evidence of the nightime chill.


Glass, metal, plants, everything sports a mantle of white and crystals.


I love to see how the ice crystals appear to grow from nothing into fantastic shapes. -- Margy

Cabin Baking: Fruit Cobbler with Oatmeal Crumble Topping

I used my Fannie Farmer Cookbook, some frozen strawberries (the last from my own plants), and a can of sliced peaches to make an easy dessert for dinner up at the cabin. Living half an hour up the lake by boat, I try to keep plenty of staples on hand for just such an occasion.

FRUIT COBBLER

I thawed one cup of strawberries and found a small can of sliced peaches in the pantry.  Coat a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray. Then mix strawberries, drained peaches,  1 teaspoon flour (for thickening), and 2 tablespoons sugar right in the pan. So easy!

OATMEAL CRUMBLE TOPPING

In a small bowl, mix together the first six ingredients. Using a pastry knife or fork, cut the margarine into the dry ingredients until it's crumbly.

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup flour
1/4 cup oats (minute or regular)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup cold butter or margarine

Directions:

Sprinkle the oatmeal crumble mixture over the top of the fruit. If you like a heavy topping, you can use it all.  But we are trying to be somewhat good.  So even though this is a small recipe, I was able to save half of it for another dessert.

I bagged and labeled the prepared crumble topping. Now I have it ready in the freezer for an even easier dessert another evening.

Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes, or until bubbly and browned on top.

This is where my new propane stove comes into action It's so much easier to cook now that I have an oven that holds the correct temperature.

What a nice treat with ice cream on cold evening in front of the wood stove fire. -- Margy

Early Morning Ripples

On a frosty morning before sunrise at our cabin,

I captured this reflection of the Bunster Range to the west, already bathed in the sun's warm glow. -- Margy

"Bird Songs Bible"

For Christmas, Wayne got me a wonderful new book. Up at the cabin, I love to have nature guides to help me identify the plants and critters we encounter. With no Internet, it's nice to have books with lots of pictures and descriptions.  The Bird Songs Bible fills that bill, plus it has an audio feature with bird songs.


Wayne found it on the bargain books shelf at Barnes and Noble in Bellingham.  The original price was $125.00 and I can see why.  It has quality paper with full colour images. However, I probably would have passed it up even with the audio bird song feature at that price.  But at $24.95, it was a steal and a perfect addition to our cabin library.  Keep your eyes open at book store bargain tables or online. Maybe you can find one for yourself.

Bird Songs Bible: The Complete, Illustrated Reference for North America Birds

Written by: Dennis Paulson, David L. Pearson, Les Beletsky, with vocalization descriptions by Gerrit Vyn

Illustrated by Jon Janosik, Mike Langman, Jonathan Latimer, David Nurnly, Diane Pierce, J. Douglas Pratt, John Sill

Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 2010

Audio Player: Cornell Lab of Ornithology recordings

Sunny Day Up the Lake

Sunrise at our float cabin up Powell Lake. What a gorgeous day.  When short winter days, and cloudy doldrums hit, times like this are cherished. The shadow of Goat Island crosses over our cabin at about 9:45 a.m.

Looking north up Powell Lake towards the head. A neighbour's cabin is on the left.

Heading south on an early morning cruise over glassy waters.

Everyone in Powell River says "up the lake" when they head out for a day on the water or up to their cabin.  Consequently, that became the title for Wayne's first book in the Coastal BC Stories series. -- Margy