Coastal BC Plants: Common Dandelion

Common Dandelion

You see Common Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) almost everywhere in town and country. It's one of the most common plants and is very visible with their bright yellow flowers in spring and their seed puff balls in summer.

I remember loving to pick them to blow the seed off. Guess that wasn't too smart with my dad trying to get them out of the lawn. But oh, so much fun for a kid.


Dandelions are a member of the daisy family. Other than lawns in urban areas, look for them in places where the soil has been disturbed such as roadsides and pastures.

Dandelions have dark green leaves, bright yellow flowers, and long tap roots that allow them to teach enough moisture to grow in very dry locations. That's one reason they are hard to eradicate, not to mention all of the seeds from their round, puffy seed head.

As prolific as these flower are, it's hard to believe they are not native. They originated in Europe and were brought to North America by early settlers for their herbal qualities, as a food source for man and beast, and of course, to make dandelion wine.

Here's a link with more information about which parts are good to eat, and how best to prepare them. Who knew, the scourge of the lawn is a bounty for the table.

Do you have any dandelion stories, or even recipes, especially for a good bottle of wine? -- Margy

Goat Island Quad Ride

Wayne and I have a new way to get around Powell Lake to ride our quads on the logging roads that are available for exploration. It's a 25-foot barge. Our trial run was a day trip to nearby Goat Island.

The barge travels at 7 knots, steady and sure. It took us an hour to get from our float cabin in Hole in the Wall to the Goat Dock. We checked in with Western Forest Products to make sure the roads weren't active. Their hotline number is 604-485-3132, but for information about Powell Lake it's best to talk to someone live.

Wayne drove up to the barge ramp and we offloaded our quads. Because this is an active area, the ramp is in excellent condition.

Then we moved the barge to the logging dock to tie up out of the way.

Clover Lake with Powell Lake in the distance.

We started up Clover Main with glimpses of Clover Lake to the left. I think I know how it got its name. I saw patches of clover growing in the moist soil.

At the junction with the road Frogpond South we turned left and started a gradual climb.


We stopped at a viewpoint for a drink and snack, and to enjoy the surroundings.

The road took us through sections of second growth forest, and cut blocks in various stages of regrowth.

Farther up ahead we could see the back side of the massive granite peak on the north end of Goat Island.

This is home territory for Mountain Goats, but we didn't find any with our naked eyes.

We rode as far as the south end of Frogpond. It sounds small, but is actually the largest lake on Goat Island.

There are even a few float cabins tucked away in this secluded island paradise.

We retraced our tracks back to the barge ramp.  Our first quad ride using the barge for transport was a huge success. We docked the barge back at the cabin and gave our quads a hosing so they would be ready for our next excursion.

Thanks for coming along on our ride. -- Margy

I'd Rather Ride than Fly

We have Great Blue Herons that like to hang out on our harbour breakwater. You can see them perched on top or flying low over the water.

However, this guy seems like he'd rather ride than fly. -- Margy

Coastal BC Plants: Red Columbine

Red Columbine

I was walking along the upper Eldred River and came upon this lovely red flower. It's the Red Columbine, also known scien- tifically as Aquilegia formosa.

The Columbine is a perennial plant, returning each spring with beautiful bright red blooms with yellow centers. Tall thin stems rise from the green leaves lying close to the ground. Look for Columbines in moist areas such as meadows, along lakes and streams (that's where I found mine), in clearings, and even on rocky slopes.


The Columbine's flower hangs facing downwards. Look underneath the five red petals and you will see the yellow stamens in the center. -- Margy

"The Curve of Time" Audiobook

When Wayne and I first came to Coastal BC, we wanted to learn more about boats so we could cruise in this amazing place. One of the first books we read was The Curve of Time by M. Wyle Blanchet. It's a classic about a widow, her five children, and dog who traveled the challenging BC coast in the Caprice, a 25-foot cedar hulled cruiser, during the 1920's and 30's.

The rugged and beautiful BC coast.

As Capi (Muriel Blanchet's nickname) and her youthful crew plied the waterways and anchorages, they met many coastal characters and critters. The BC coast is one place where the population has actually declined.  Reading about these hardy individualists, along with Muriel's experiences, took me back to a time when my new home was a much more remote and rugged place.

An audiobook version of M. Wyle Blanchet's classic The Curve of Time narrated by Heather Anne Henderson has just been released. You can read more about it on Heather's blog by clicking here. Also, there's a YouTube trailer you can watch.

The amazing thing, Heather's voice really makes me think that Capi is telling the story herself.

You can download your own copy of The Curve of Time audiobook at:

Post Hypnotic Press
Audible.com

Happy reading -- I mean listening. -- Margy

Barn Swallows Round Two

Start of new nest on clothesline.

In May I shared a post about Barn Swallows building a nest at the back of our cabin. All seemed fine. The pair completed their nest and had five chicks. We tried to stay away, but one day I saw a dead baby on the deck. By the time Wayne went to remove it there four dead babies, no more sounds from the nest, and the parents disappeared. We were at a loss for what happened.

A week later the pair returned frantic to build a new nest at the front of the cabin. We had hoped they would refurbish the old one. When we went out back to remove it, we sadly discovered a dead fledgling inside. No wonder they had to move for their second brood.

Mom working on the nest with mud and grass.

After a week of stuffing newspaper around the front of the cabin, we gave up and let them choose their spot. We wanted enough time for the babies to mature for their long migration south by late summer.

Dad waiting nearby with mud in his beak.

They decided to build on top of our clothes line. It looks extremely precarious and is right outside our side porch door. There's no way we can stay away from them completely, but nature must take its course.

I again used plastic to protect our wall, table, and deck from all the droppings. From laying to fledging it will take about five to six weeks. I guess we can live with it that long.

The location is perfect for filming from inside our living room sliding glass door. I sure hope it works out for them this time. -- Margy

Daniels Lake, BC

Kurt arrives in his Husky floatplane.

Last week we had a visitor to Hole in the Wall. Kurt arrived from the States in his Aviat Husky floatplane and stayed across from us in our good friend John's Cabin #2.

While Kurt was here, he took John for a ride up to Daniels Lake.

John at Daniels Lake, BC. Photo by Kurt.

Daniels Lake is extremely difficult to reach by means other than floatplane or helicopter. This sub-alpine location placed the guys on crystal blue waters near year-round glaciers.

Reflections on remote Daniels Lake. Photo by John.

From here, the Daniels River plunges down granite cliffs through well worn gorges to merge with Powell River and ultimately feeds Powell Lake.

Daniels River, BC. Photo by John.

With Kurt as the pilot and John as the guide, they explored some really amazing country. -- Margy