The picture below lets you look through and old Arbutus (Madrona) stump. The point of land in the view is nearly perfect "Due South" and the log in the foreground is hollow so I took a similar photo through it.
We finally got back to the cabin and walked around a bit on the small island. I'm exhausted - have not walked that much for a years or two.
I'll post some more pictures, not tonight, though.
Later: I'll try to describe the existing hole these pictures were taken through:
When we purchased the lot on the island in about 1990 there was a massive Arbutus tree leaning almost to the horizontal which had grown completely around a fir tree and killed the top of the other tree. The top of the 10" fir was all gone but the stump was fastened into the trunk of the leaning arbutus and supporting the larger tree allowing the arbutus to reach even farther out to the cliff for the sunshine it was seeking and grow to large dimension for such trees. I wondered if the arbutus was not sustaining the stump of the fir because it was obvious the big tree would not stand without support. Eventually the whole arrangement started to lean toward the cabin we built there and a couple of the guys went over with a chainsaw to take some of the weight off the upper (farther) part of the arbutus. When I saw what they had done I said: "They took the wrong side off." The support system went on leaning into the sundeck and one wet spring the roots began to pull themselves out of the thin soil and the tree lean so drastically we decided to drop it before it reclined on the cabin or the deck. We hired a climber to bring it down in pieces and still lost most of the top over the cliff. Th edge of the cliff is at least 30' from the stump. I get there and see the section of the arbutus with the hole where the fir went in waiting to be bucked up for fire wood and a large handy stump near it. Just for fun I wrestled the hole thing upright on the stump, oriented the hole to look due south (true) and spiked it all together.
I figured we can always cut the arbutus up for fire wood but even "All the King's Horses" could not put that hole back together again. I'll post a picture.
Hollow log through a hole in an arbutus
maybe I should set up a web cam in this stump
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We had the same kind of sky today. I think everything underneath must be very different, though.
Meantime that sky cleared up nicely and we went fishing in a narrows called Porlier Pass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXjY-w5bxVk
Any amenities to the cabin, are you roughing it? I've tried to talk my wife into getting a cabin with no electric or running water, but she won't have anything to do with it! She's partial to hot baths, lol!
Hope you have a good time!
I saw you were back at work but I wanted to upload a couple of pictures here - they should show up in a few minutes.
I'll try to tell the story of the hole in the arbutus when they do.
Did a miss a blog on it?
Amenities: The cabin is "Off Grid" but still pretty comfortable. Initially we used a generator to pump water to elevated cisterns and had gas lamps and candles. We installed used solar panels about 15 years ago and they still keep the batteries up - mainly because the cabin is used only occasionally except in high summer (about a week per year around here). We found a fridge and water heater from R.V. used equipment and had pretty well everything as long as we brought propane. Just now we are shopping for another fridge and water heater 'cause these old things have given up after long years (and little maintenance). When everything is working the place is pretty much like anything connected to the grid . Though it could be done none of the owners want to sign up for wireless there and cellular internet is usable though I don't use it.
Yes, that case has some stories. I think I have written bits here and there but:
Dad was a Radar Tech with RCAF in '42 on Mosquito Night Fighters around Great Britain. The white lettering on the black case records the bases he worked on. The guitar is made from scraps of repair on the planes. The Mosquito was fabric covered wood frame and they put two RR-Merlin engines on it and added nitrous injection. The Mosquito could catch the V-1 "Flying Bomb". If you can expand the photo you can see a picture of the plane which I lacquered on the the old case a few years ago.
Still learning! :)
LOL
You wouldn't guess it from looking at her, but Angie loves that sort of stuff. Long as she has a tent (or at least a mosquito net, she's good to go. She also likes swamp buggies, any kind of boat, fast cars and motorcycles. Still a tomboy. Always makes my guy friends raise an eyebrow. "Man, I wish my wife would do this stuff!"
Here's a link for you Ylee:
http://aerotoons.com/blog/2010/03/05/wwii-wooden- wonders/
And although it never made it into service, this bad boy is one of my all time favorite wooden aircraft:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_H-4_Hercules
Also, Vancouver Island? One of my favorite musical groups besides Sarah McLaughlin inhabit your island- Delerium. I wrote a wikipedia article on them. But anyway, very nice photos including Bulgaria.
OrangeRoses:
The Sarah M./Delerium music video took me to unfamiliar places but I like the music.
Actually I'm fond of unfamiliar places as well.
Thank you. And Yes
Lessee - when I still was going up there, there were Coleman lanterns, a wood burning stove, and a little propane stove for cooking and heating water. Just a great, great place.
How long are you up there? Or down there - whichever. Enjoy!
In fact I did not mind it when it was kerosene lamps.
Now you and I have spent time in places where the main services can be "iffy". So I for one certainly enjoy all amenities. Hot water from a tap is to me the definition of "First World" and I enjoy it while it lasts.
Can'tget thevideo on this nor go back to edit.
http://www.monbiot.com/
I wish I had better internet access here; You have a lot of links to intriguing stuff!
Buddy of mine used to print up a little news letter with that as the header. He invited comments and stories and printed up whatever anyone sent in. I saw him t'other day and we had a great lazy morning in the warm sunshine. Occurs to me that that process was similar to blogging - just a bit slower. I'll ask him if I can use the header now - might even invite him onstage here.
Attended a Blues Concert last night :
( How do you cutandpaste on a Mac?)
Just google "Rick Fines" Or "Hornby Island Blues" to see the musicians who played last night.
I certainly enjoyed it. A couple of complaints, though: I can not sit in a theatre seat for very long without cramping up and "my stomach makes noises whenever I" sit.
I did my part.
Time we moved on
I don't care how big your
Weapon is
Do you know how to guide us?
Can you convince me?
I'm listening
as Levi says: "we will see what happens"
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