Canadian Gardening: Welcome Chilko, 1 by Chilko

Chilko wrote:
Bella Coola--yes, they logged everything and moved out; leaving a depressed area.
Nightowl, you HIKED up to the Hunlen Valley lake chain? Wow! That is one stiff hike, practically vertical with about 75 switchbacks. Takes 7-9 hours. Whew! I'm impressed.

John's homestead was burned out, but Vicky (his tame fox) survived. We heard the news from some fire workers, contacted John, and one of the fire helicopters flew him in for a tearful reunion. John has had lots of donations and help and already is rebuilding. In fact, he's living back there this winter.

Also wiped out was the cabin near there that my friend Chris Czajkowski built. She wrote her first Coastal Mountains book about building it, virtually single-handed, no prior experience. (Cabin at Singing River). She has since moved further into the mountains and built 3 more cabins, 2 completely by herself, and has written (and published) 4 more books about her experiences. She has an eco-hiking business. She is in her fifties--a tribute to independent women. Her latest book, "Lonesome, Memoirs of a Wilderness Dog" was #1 on the B.C.Bestseller List for 5-6 weeks--might still be. It's a delightful book. Written from the dog's point of view, and Lonesome is quite frank and revealing about her owner Chris! I help Chris with publicity, her bookings, slide tours, etc. and really enjoy the involvement. Her previous book (2003) "Snowshoes and Spotted Dick" has one of my photographs as the cover! Neat, eh? Her "Cabin" has been published in German, as well.

Here is a picture DH took after John's place burned. What is amazing, is the trees that DID survive.