Island in the Sky

On our last boat trip on the Georgia Strait, we stopped by Mitlenatch Island. In the language of the Kwakiutl First Nation people on Vancouver Island, it's name means "it looks close, but seems to move away as you approach it."

As we were approaching from the north it not only looked like it was moving away, it looked like it was rising into the sky.

In the Coast Salish language the name means "calm waters all around." And the north bay did give us a calm anchorage so we could explore on shore. -- Margy

Clouds of Colour

Summer has finally arrived. After a day of cloudless, sunny skies some high level cirrus clouds moved in, the precursor to a brief front bringing moisture but no rain.

Cirrus clouds are wispy streaks of ice crystals above 8000 metres (26,000 feet). "Fall streaks" form when ice crystals fall through changing high level winds. The forming streaks can be straight, shaped like a comma or all mixed up together.

Just before sunset, the cirrus clouds captured rays of sunlight to form a small sun dog. The ice crystals in the clouds can form colourful patches 22 degrees to the left or right of and parallel with the sun, something like a mini-rainbow. What a nice way to end a nice summer the day on Powell Lake in Coastal BC. -- Margy

High Flying Skies

When I return to Powell River from Bellingham via Pacific Coastal Airlines, I take the last flight of the day. This time of year, that means some pretty spectacular inflight sunsets.

The power of the turboprop on the Beechcraft 1900C is balanced by the soft light flowing over Lasqueti and Texada islands in the distance. What a ride!

Today is Sky Watch Friday. Go to the Sky Watch Friday website and you'll see sky photos from all over the world! -- Margy

The Watchful Sky

The head of Powell Lake was the scene of extensive logging in years past. In the heyday of MacMillan Bloedel, there was a large camp there to house loggers. When we visited last December, the old shops were still standing. When we arrived last week, everything was torn down and the ground bulldozed. The docks and log pens are still there, but for how much longer?

One lone logging truck remained, a last testament to times gone by.

A hike up the logging road towards the old camp was a sad reminder that times change.

But the waters of the Daniels River flow on, filling Powell Lake as they have since the last ice age. I guess some things don't have to change. That's a good thing. -- Margy

Sunset Over Quadra Island

Last week we spent the night on our boat in Drew Harbour on the east side of Quadra Island in Coastal BC. Our anchorage gave us a perfect view of the sky. The first shot is looking east over the Rebecca Spit Marine Park.

A few minutes later looking west, we watched the sun go down.

And a few minutes after that the sky took on a coppery glow.

If you aren't cruising the Strait of Georgia in a boat of your own, you can still visit Drew Harbour and Rebecca Spit. Quadra Island is accessed by car via BC Ferries from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The Heriot Bay Inn has rooms as well as RV/tent spots. Rebecca Spit Marine Park doesn't have camping, but you can stay at the nearby We Wai Kai Campsite. -- Margy

Ceiling of Fire

When you get weather reports you often see the ceiling height. That is the altitude of the base of the clouds measured in feet.

Last week at sunset a rain storm moved through. You could see the edge of the cloud cover with Vancouver Island in the distance in the clear.

The result was a ceiling that looked like it was on fire. You can't see it in the picture, but the water below cast back a similar hue. -- Margy

Morning Glow

I don't often get up early enough for sunrise, but on a recent morning I was rewarded for my efforts.

The wind was absolutely calm, reflecting the rays of sunlight passing through a thin layer of clouds, breaking them into the colours of the spectrum. Ice crystals in the high clouds act like prisms to refract the sunlight, causing the rainbow-like display.

Two logs, tied to the cabin deck for future firewood, framed the solar reflection nicely.

Today is Sky Watch Friday. Go to the Sky Watch Friday website and you'll see sky photos from all over the world! -- Margy

After the Storm

Spring showers clear to beautiful blue skies with puffy white clouds on Powell Lake in Coastal BC.

That's one reason we're called the Raincoast and have such lovely green hills and valleys. Come visit us this summer. You might want to stay for a lifetime. We did. -- Margy

Dogs in the Sky

We get some really spectacular sunsets here in Powell River, BC. Last week I looked across the Strait of Georgia to see this sundog.

From the marina I could only get one half in the viewfinder. I went up to the condo balcony and was able to capture both sides. The left was definitely more distinct than the right.

Sundogs are bright, colourful patches of light to the left and right of, and in alignment with, the sun. In the first shot, you can see it almost forms a halo. Sundogs are created by cold ice crystals in high cirrus clouds bending the rays of sunlight. -- Margy

Bombs Away

This week we've had some really nice spring weather. Even though it's been sunny and warm, moisture off the Pacific Ocean has generated thunderclouds over Vancouver Island and inland peaks.

Last Friday just around sunset the thunderstorms started blowing off their tops and dispersing. This one made it look like someone had dropped a bomb on Vancouver Island. When we fly 997, we avoid thunderstorms. Their strong updrafts and potential hail can be very dangerous.

But from the condo balcony they can make for a very beautiful end of the day. -- Margy

Forest Trail

Last week we went on a quad ride to Tony Lake where I discovered elk munching greens in the logging slash and hail preserved under the forest canopy.

As I walked away from the Tony Lake campsite, I was immediately engulfed by large second growth trees. They've been reaching for the sky for almost a hundred years now. Down below it stays cool and moist thanks to an almost complete sky covering, with just enough sun peaking through to make everything grow green and lush.

It's always beautiful whether you look down or up. -- Margy

Fog Rise

Yesterday was warm and sunny, in the evening it rained and overnight it cooled down - prime conditions for a foggy morning.

Sunrise over Goat Island was at about 9:00 a.m. The rays were just visible through the hazy layer.

And then about half an hour later it lifted and headed through first narrows. Here's a quick video of the last tendrils moving south.

Thanks for stopping by. -- Margy

Sunrise Over Goat Island

This week the weather has been a mix of sun, clouds, wind, rain, hail and snow. Is this really spring?

One morning I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Goat Island.

And that was the start to a nice, warm spring day. -- Margy

Sailing into the Sunset

The city of Powell River BC looks across the waters of the Strait of Georgia towards Vancouver Island. That makes for some really spectacular sunsets.

Not long ago I looked out my front room window and saw this lovely sailing ship passing by.

We are in the middle of some of the best cruising territory in the world. To the south of us are great little coves like Pender Harbour and Princess Louisa Inlet. To the north of us is world famous Desolation Sound and the many glacial carved inlets and islands along the BC coast. They would all be wonderful to explore in a magnificent ship like this. Can't you just imagine yourself on board? -- Margy

Reflecting on the End of Winter

Last summer on the west coast was very unusual, so warm and pleasant. That was followed by a most unusual winter, also warm (relatively) and pleasant. While I worry about the snow pack for our source of summer water, it has been an amazing season.

We've had more blue skies than normal, giving us glorious days with lovely reflections.

Here you can see our "front yard" with a captured log glistening in the early morning light. Spring will soon bring more calm sunny days, but it's good to reflect back on a season well spent. -- Margy

Crazy Weather

Lately we've had a crazy mix of weather. Last weekend the sun was shining, I was sunbathing on the cabin deck and working in my garden.

Wednesday night the wind was blowing at 22 knots (41 kph or 25 mph) even in our sheltered bay. When that happens we rock and roll quite a bit. Fortunately our tire shock absorbers dampen the movement and our chimney pipe windcap keeps wood smoke out of the cabin. But by morning we had clearing skies.

Today we were getting ready to head down the lake when the morning drizzle turned to big heavy wet snow flakes.

Then it cleared again, with the Bunster hills showing off their new mantle of white. What a wonderful place to live. -- Margy

Sunny Day Up the Lake

As I've mentioned before, we are having one of the mildest winters on record. Our friend Jeanne came up to visit us at the float cabin. The day was so nice, we took her for a ride in our tin boat.

The low angle of the sun made the colours brilliant. And a few puffy white clouds against the clear blue sky was a beautiful change to the recent overcast.

Plus, it was great for our solar system. We had plenty of electricity in the cabin batteries, enough for a DVD after dinner. What a luxury. -- Margy

Room with a View

Last weekend we had a wonderful flying trip around Washington State. One of our destinations was Ocean Shores, an open stretch of the Pacific just north of the Columbia River. We got a room at the Shilo Inn with a dynamite view with the ocean below and the sky above.

During the day we could see the lines of breakers rolling in after their long voyage from Japan.

At the end of the day there was a romantic sunset to kick off a relaxing evening. -- Margy

Spontaneous Combustion

... or so it appears.

This time of year it often rains heavily overnight, but clears when morning arrives. If the clearing includes a sunny dawn it often produces evaporation or steam fog as the moisture on surfaces warms, begins to evaporate, but meets the cooler air above. This log on the boom around our cabin really gave off a dramatic display earlier this week. -- Margy

The Powell River Finger

Ed has a funny sense of humour. In lots of ways, it reminds me of my dad's. You have to listen carefully and sometimes read between the lines.

Powell River is built on the sloping shores of Coastal BC overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island. This time of year we get lots of cloudy skies. But on some days, we get a patch of sun at the end of the day. Ed's name for it is the "Powell River Finger."

There isn't enough time left for the teasing rays to warm us, but they sure make a beautiful light before darkness falls. OK Ed, it may be a mean thing for the weather to do, but you have to admit the sunsets can be pretty spectacular. -- Margy