Week 37 - Time To Say Good-Bye

Nine months, two people and a remote lodge set on the edge of the wild pacific

west coast of Haida Gwaii.

What an adventure it has been. It'll be 284 days when the plane arrives to take us back into the world of people, cars, stores ,noise, restaurants and.... TV. (yeah baby!)

The first group of summer crew will touch down on May 31^st. Mike and I are going to stick around for another 24 hours to pass along any knowledge of the lodge which they might need to know, I think mostly we will just talk their ear off. Maybe you read my post,“The Effects of Isolation” week 27. It explains a lot.
I'll miss the morning sounds of singing birds, squirrels chattering a mile a minute, the wind, the water and the creaking of the docks which still slow my steps to the genny, making me pause. It's a “stop and smell the roses” moment. I always hate to turn the noisy machine on but one must have coffee.
Living in remote areas seems to suit us. Where else can I grab my camera, run down to the beach to photograph an eagle foraging for food while wearing my pyjamas and rubber boots. Our computer table sits right in front of a wall of windows offering up an ever changing picture. I never get tired of sitting back and taking in the view.

Sally and Harry have kept us amused, as they peer into our bedroom window before we are even up or sit patiently outside the backdoor forever nibbling on moss and bits of grass.

The cats, Brock and The Princess (name seems appropriate for this high maintenance feline) provided plenty of pictures and company when walking along the beach,through the forest or catching a few rays.

Everything is always green here. The tress don't drop leaves nor does the grass turn brown but I have found some signs that proclaim spring has arrived.

When I first started to write these weekly accounts of what has happened in our lives I thought, “ How will I ever be able to find something to write about week after week?” I surprised myself because there always seemed to be a tale to tell.

A storm, a flock of birds, a fallen tree, the arrival of a plane, the making of a fruit cake, they all provided a story and pictures.

Example: This helicopter has been here 3 times this week, actually he has only hovered overhead but 3 times non the less. Sunday morning ( definitely something about Sundays and visitors) was the first day we heard the roar. I rushed to change into pants instead of pyjamas and in the minute that it took, the chopper was speeding away. Not like me to grab my pants instead of my camera but this time I did and lost a picture because of it. Monday when we heard the roar again I grabbed the camera and Mike rushed to the radio in the kitchen to see if we could talk with the pilot. He did while I took pictures. Wednesday afternoon.... deja vu.

Have no idea why he keeps stopping by, conversation via radio not very clear but for us it's a bit of excitement and a photo op.

I have always loved to watch the weather and changing sky. I'm the type of person who will sit out on the porch to watch a lightening storm. Although my scope of vision is rather limited looking out onto the same hills, bay and islands each day they are never the same.

                  The “Outpost” 10 pm. These are the long days of summer.

Hard to believe that this will be my last post from the Outpost, that is till August.

Yes, Mike and I will be returning to this wilderness paradise for another season.

Good night from the Outpost,

Heather & Mike

    

When the Sun Goes Down.....week 36

It had to happen sooner or later and Friday the 13^th was the day.

The rain has stopped. Thank heavens, I was beginning to think that my numbered days would come to an end without ever offering me a bit of sunshine.

Twice this week we have gone into the forest, getting a major work out as we test our balance walking along fallen trees and do squats under others that at a glance we know will not support our weight. With some much rainfall in the last few months the mossy forest floor is like walking on sponge. This is always in the back of my mind , thinking if I fall at least it will be a relatively soft landing.

In between my time spent sitting in the sun (never thought I'd be writing that ) I've been busy getting the lodge ready for the new crew and packing away all our stuff.

Besides washing all the windows and floors, dusting every square inch and vacuuming all the nooks and crannies I've also been trying to stock the freezer with some cookies, cakes, squares and bread. Thought it would be nice to give the new chef at least a day to catch his breath before he had to start feeding the masses.

   At day's end, usually around 6:30, you'll find us sitting down at the crew's shack.

Here you can get maximum sun and minimum wind. Heaven. A cocktail (gin and tonic being my poison) before fixing dinner sitting by the oceans edge, the only sound being the lap of water, ranks right up there with morning coffee on the back deck. Priceless.

                       It's be a week of spectacular sunsets and calm evenings.

Till next week from the "Outpost",

Heather & Mike

Bit This, Bit of That.....Week 35

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, sorry for that, but things here are the same as last week and the week before that and the week before that. Rain Rain Rain

Sunday the sun did show itself and for one whole glorious hour I sat out back absorbing it's rays, with the cats of course. The layers came off....down to a lone t-shirt. I don't think my arms have been exposed since September. So much for leaving here with the beginnings of some colour. I didn't think I'd ever look forward to getting back to Port Hardy where it will be a bit warmer....I hope.

Speaking of Hardy we only have 16 days left before the summer crew arrives, just so hard to believe that 9 months have past. Am I looking forward to heading back into the real world? This year... yes. Maybe because last summer we only had 10 days out before we left civilization behind once again, not much time to do anything except shop and eat..in restaurants!

Four of those 10 days were spent in the big town of Campbell River. I think people use to say that jokingly but it now boasts a brand new Walmart SuperStore, Home Depot, Tim Hortons and Wendy's (2 of our favourites), plus a Canadian Tire, Zellers and a Great Canadian SuperStore. No longer do the people who live “up island” have to drive 5 hours to Nanaimo, now it's only a 3 hour trip (3 ½ by bus, we haven't owned a car since 2003) to be able to spend our money at a variety of big stores.

This year will be no different. Our 3^rd day back will find us boarding the bus and heading south for a bit of a shopping spree. Last year we were in Walmart so much we were on first name bases with the greeters and half a doz 'sale associates'.

I'm excited about our trip. I've already Googled to find all the chinese restaurants and to see what will be playing at the movie theatre.

Number one item on list...2 bikes. Our summer plans are too explore back roads, and maybe find an out of the way pub or two.

The first fog bank of the season rolled in. These will happen all summer and makes for some interesting fishing trips.

This is Sally. She still makes an appearance at the back door first thing in the morning. I like her new headgear.

My beach tray. Nine months of walking the beach has turned up odd shells, lots of green glass and interesting pieces of wood.

It is Wednesday afternoon and the day has been a mix bag of weather.

11 am........Rain, what else is there to say.

4 pm........ and yes that is fresh snow on the hills.

10 pm............The day ends with clearing skies and a rosy sunset.

Till next week from the Outpost,

Heather & Mike

Squalls and Hail...in May? Week 34

I have awaken, yet have not opened my eyes to acknowledge the day. I twist and stretch cracking bones in back, shoulders and neck (I can't imagine what this will sound like in 20 years, scary!) Lazily I view the morning. Different shades of green are highlighted as rays of sun penetrate through the thick foliage. From my angle I can see a small patch of clear blue sky. Anticipation of a morning sitting out on the back deck, coffee and book in hand propells me out of bed. The cats will soon appear, instinctively knowing it's a day to be out. They'll sit close enough so I can reach down and give them a scratch. We all take in the warmth. This is absolutely my favourite way to start the day.

It was but a dream, from which I woke to the sound of rain.... ceaselessly beating upon the metal rain gutters.

Had you told me it was February, I would not have batted an eye. This past week has delivered winds of 40km, squalls of rain and hail act as a curtain being pulled across our bay. A succession of days dawn bleak, a monochromatic pallet of grey, till evening fall. This picture was taken Thursday morning 10 am.

The temperature has been hovering at a balmy 8c, maybe it was just in my head but it felt colder than 46 F. We should be out hiking through the awakening spring forest or kayaking to a distance beach to discover what winter storms had washed up and left behind... not in the basement chopping kindling for a fire. It was Sunday and for some reason this seems to be the day we have visitors so a fire would be nice should anyone show up and it would take the chill off the fine May day.

I've gotten into the habit of keeping track of the weather. In a small 2 year planner I'll fill in the spaces with a sun, clouds or rain. Since being here I've even started to distinguish between showers, drizzle or downpour. Looking back to this time last year it was as the month of May should be, a solid line of sunny skies. Notations mark the arrival of the first hummingbirds and spring flowers. It was certainly warmer but than again we were 260 km south of here.

We did have a day in the last 7 where the sun made an appearance, sort of.

A fine layer of cloud diffused the light therefore not much heat but the sky wasn't grey and the air wasn't wet. It was recorded as a sunny day!

Finally an opportunity to work on taking up the old carpet on the floats, making it ready for the new one which the summer crew will lay. Armed with tools and 4 layers of clothes I spent a wonderful afternoon outside. Yes I'm still ensconced in multiple layers and really can no longer fathom what is must be feel like to walk around wearing only one shirt. There was a time, in fact a number of years where a gauzy sundress and sandles were my everyday wardrobe. I miss going barefoot.

These 2 didn't waste any time leaving the basement and now wait for me.

I haven't given up hope and any day now when I wake up the sun will indeed be shining and it won't be a dream, lets just pray it happens before the end of the month when the plane arrives to fly us out.

Till next week from the Outpost,
Heather & Mike