Powell Lake Zungas

Z is for Zunga

What's a zunga? One even made the cover of the 2009 Discover Powell River Magazine. "You know someone is from Powell River when they know what the word zunga means. The term elicits confused expressions from those who had not grown up knowing the joy of swinging at the end of a rope and dropping into refreshing lake waters. It’s exhilarating."


Zungas have a long tradition on Powell Lake in Coastal BC. When the weather warms, Powell Riverites head "up the lake" to cool off at float cabins or along the shoreline. Hey, that's right now! Most zungas are heavy ropes suspended for trees hanging over the lake. That makes them perfect platforms for swinging out over deep water.

At our good friend John's cabin, he built a frame for his zunga. That takes zunga construction to a new height.

Here are some Powell River kids enjoying a zunga on Powell Lake.

Come visit Powell River this summer and learn about zungas for yourself. -- Margy

They don't make them like that any more!

Last week we went airplane camping. In many ways, it's similar to car camping. You pack up the tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, chairs, lanterns, and cooler. For longer trips, you can take the Coleman stove and all the cooking and eating paraphernalia.

When I was a little girl (some sixty years ago), I camped by station wagon with my parents. Dad outfitted the car with a fold-down commissary in back and room when the back seat was down for them to sleep. I slept on the front seat. Once we got to our destination, the tent stored in the top rack came down for more "luxurious" camping.

Mom and Dad had two flannel-lined sleeping bags that zipped together. After high school, our camping days were over. I "inherited" the double bag and have continued to use it with Wayne for camping

If you've been following my blog, you know I hate to give up on things that can be refurbished and reused, especially something with such sentimental value. Because we use flannel sheets inside, only the top edge has started to fray.  On our last camping trip to Chehalis Airport, I used the picnic table to do some mending.


Two flannel sheets and some hand stitching did the trick. The hardest part was working around the snaps, but even that worked fine. Now Wayne and I can continue the family tradition and sleep warm while airplane camping for many years to come. -- Margy

Sharpening the Saw

This year we'll be spending more time at the float cabin during the winter, so we need to put more wood in our floating woodshed. Usually we wait until fall, but this year we got an early start. Snow melt raises the lake, and gets wood previously trapped on shore floating again. As likely chunks pass, we select some for cutting.

I used to be in charge of sharpening the chain saw, but since Wayne got his new filing guide, I'm out of a job. Over the years, we've become more proficient at doing the chores needed for off-the-grid living. Preparing our own firewood is one of them. Without a chainsaw, that would be a daunting task.

We used to depend on our good friend John for any and all chainsaw mishaps. But Wayne can now change the bar and tighten the chain on his own. Plus, he does all of the regular maintenance. But while Wayne was fixing the chain during our last cut, he lost a nut through a crack in the deck. John came to the rescue on his next visit up the lake with a replacement in his pocket. Thanks John!


We like to organize our wood as we go. Stove size chunks get stacked in the back on the left, ready to start drying. Smaller kindling size pieces get stacked on the right. Larger chunks are placed closer to the front to dry before splitting. That's my Yardworks electric splitter under the green tarp, ready to go. You can see it in action by clicking here.

For sure, the wood will keep us Kozi Warm all winter. -- Margy

Singing in the Rain

Subtitle: I've Got a Girlfriend

Bert The Third (the third male Barn Swallow to take up residence at our float cabin) has been singing up a storm, even in the rain. How do we know he's the third? Well, for many years we had the same pair of swallows return to the nest. Last year, no one showed up until late in the season. The male was long and lanky.  This year, Bert is short and stocky with a prominent neck band and a few light spots on his wings.  Hence, he must be Bert The Third.

We've been very worried. After remodeling the nest we thought he couldn't attract a mate. The sides are high, so you can't see if a female is sitting inside.  Every time we would see Bert sing, we'd run and get the binoculars to see if anyone's inside.  No luck.

We had to leave for a short trip, so Wayne went up on the porch roof to install the pad we call the Avian Trampoline just in case.  Later that day while Bert was singing in the rain, we saw his girlfriend fly off the nest and quickly return.

Great! New we can enjoy watching the babies grow, fledge, and fly away to make nests of their own. And with the trampoline in place, unlike years past, if anyone falls from the nest they have a fighting chance to survive.


And Bert sits on the swim ladder on the front deck to warble his song of joy, rain or shine.  You go guy! -- Margy

Clearing Skies

Early in the morning, the coast and nearby valleys often fill with low lying clouds. After sunrise, the warming air helps them dissipate, sometimes in a blink of the eye.


Flying from Chehalis to Bellingham, Washington, we crossed the line between cloudy and clear just as we passed the Olympic range.


By the time we reached Bellingham, only a light haze remained over the Canadian border, the start to a wonderful, summer day. -- Margy

Airplane Camping at Chehalis Airport

Wayne and I love airplane camping. One of our favourite spots is the Chehalis/Centralia Airport (KCLS).

During the disastrous storm of December 2007, the Chehalis River flooded the airport and nearby I-5. Today, there's little evidence of the devastation except for a new administrative building on pilings to weather any future storms.

Chehalis is a friendly airport. Every time we camp, people stop to say hello, or to offer us rides to the nearby shopping center and restaurants. There is even a courtesy car just for the asking. But we like to walk for fun and exercise.

The campground is unique at an airport of this size. You can park your plane at the edge of the grass and put up your tent next to the wing. There are covered picnic tables and spotless restrooms.


If you don't want to cook, there are several options within walking distance. Take the bridge over the canal and across the street to the Riverside Golf Club for lunch or dinner. It's fun to sit on the deck and watch the golfers finish the last hole. You can also walk to the other side of the airport to the adjacent shopping center. There's a gate at the approach end of Runway 34. but the safest way is to walk around the perimeter on the gravel path. There are several fast food restaurants and an Applebees across from Walmart.

If you are looking for a quick gas stop (the cheapest around), a place to camp, a round of golf, or a quick bite, give Chehalis/Centralia Airport a try. For more information, go to FlyCLS.com.

Do you like to read about flying adventures? Take a look at Up the Airway. It includes stories about flying in Canada, Coastal BC, and the Pacific Northwest. - Margy

Coastal BC Plants: Moss and LIchen

Moss and Lichen

The moss covering the granite cliff next to our cabin changes with the seasons, sort of like a botanic chameleon. This time of year it has a pretty yellow glow.

Not much else can grow on the rocky surface, but with all this colour who needs lots of grass and flowers.


 I love the way the lighter moss seems to cascade over the edge, making it look like a living waterfall. -- Margy