David Cox has been writing to me for a while about his and his wife’s life off the grid on the Coast of BC.  The couple moved there and did all this stuff after they were retired!  David has recently self-published this book: I love the cover!

Although access is by boat or float plane, there seem to be a number of people on this island and there seems to be a lot more social interaction than I have.  With some difficulty (and a special ariel) they can get cell phone reception, which I don’t have.  Nonetheless, I could identify totally with the difficulties of getting building materials not only to the island but also up a steep, slippery rock to the building site.  And the difficulties of dealing with city people who like to have everyone stuffed into neat little compartments.  Interestingly, I was reading about his volunteers filling his woodshed at the exact moment my volunteers were filling mine!

Sometimes a neighbour would come and help build things, but Sally, David’s wife, accomplished the most extraordinary things.  Check out this photo of her bolting together the windmill for power.  Note that there is no ladder or safety harness!  (The poor quality of the photo is mine.)

David has a bombastic personality which I first found a bit abrasive, but when I got into the book the rough edges were smoothed off and I liked the guy.  I found the a very enjoyable read.  It is available through Amazon, both in print and via Kindle. There is also a nice article on Off The Grid Homes.