Year-round Island Occupants??

tricia1218 · 10-30-2005, 09:59 AM

Full time island residents must have some great stories of island living in the winter. The planning, and guess work, when will the lake freeze? Do i have enough wood, food? Alot of planning must be involved, I am intrigued, of course I live about 5 minutes to the local market, and do not have to worry if the road is thick enough to drive on.

Lady Di · 10-30-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricia1218

Full time island residents must have some great stories of island living in the winter. The planning, and guess work, when will the lake freeze? Do i have enough wood, food? Alot of planning must be involved, I am intrigued, of course I live about 5 minutes to the local market, and do not have to worry if the road is thick enough to drive on.

Yup.....the lake froze. Yup.......had enough food. Yup......had enough wood, or I would be cold. Yup.....have electricity, or would not be writing.

I really, really want someone to keep a diary here, so we can all share what it's like to be there. Surely there is something better than the wind and the cold. On the island, that is. On the mainland I know what there is to offer. Work, for one thing......then hobbies.....such as singing......church etc...

Can't wait to read some stories.

Orion · 10-31-2005, 08:16 PM

Lady Di, I think you're viewing the potential of the experience only from your perspective. The fact of the matter is that there are many people who LOVE the winter and all it's beauty up here. The Lake represents a really unique environment to view the wonders of a New England winter. Living on the islands in winter is not a 9-month stint of isolation. There are only a few weeks on either end where ice is not traversable (without hovercraft). The rest of the time is not much different than in summer, but you use a snowmobile (or later a car/truck) instead of a boat to get back and forth. You really can live a normal life.....you're not banished to the hinterlands for 9 months. Boating up to early January, then back to the boats by mid/late April (that's only 4 months, with access throughout).

It seems like a great challenge which I hope to try some day soon.

CEP · 11-02-2005, 08:58 AM

I agree 100%

CEP

Senter Cove Guy · 11-02-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

Boating up to early January, ...

Is there "motor" boating up to early January? What about the freezing temperatures? Won't your engine freeze up? I'd hate to be rowing.

BroadHopper · 11-02-2005, 01:35 PM

If you have an outboard, there will be no problem leaving the boat in the water up until the ice starts to form. The water drains back into the lake when the motor is off. There was a couple of occasions that I had to break a thin layer of ice at the launch ramp to get the boat on the trailer.
It is a weird feeling to boat in the middle of a snowstorm.

Woodsy · 11-02-2005, 01:41 PM

Boating until January..... depends on alot of factors!

The water temp of the lake is the biggest factor. I would start getting nervous when the water temp falls below 38 degrees or so...

If your boat has an outboard on it, your pretty safe from freezing as they are self draining.

If you have an inboard/outboard you will need to put some sort of heat in the bilge. Usually a high wattage light bulb will do. I recommend using a pair of them in case one blows out....

Woodsy

BroadHopper · 11-02-2005, 05:01 PM

A fellow boater bought a dipstick heater that actually heats up the oil in the oil pan. I don't know where you can get one, but a search on the internet came up with several brands. Since warmth rise, I bet it keeps the block warm enought to prevent the water from freezing.
You will have to connect it to shore line.

upthesaukee · 11-02-2005, 11:34 PM

When I was stationed at Eielson AFB Alaska in the late 60's and early 70's, you would "plug in the car" every night during the winter. The plug wire ran to a standed 4 plug box that you would mount under the hood, and plugged into that would be a battery plate heater that would keep the battery warm, a circulating heater (normally) that was installed into the cooling system which would keep the water in the system reasonably warm, a heater that would circulate air in the car to keep the windows from fogging and then icing over, and a night lite so you knew the plug that everything was connected to was live!!!! Some folks would also use a "dipstick" heater or "oil pan heater (had coils and bolted to the bottom of the oil pan)", especially with an air cooled vehicle like a volkswagon.

Best way to "die a young person in Alaska"?????? ...Unplug their car and get caught doing it!!!!!!

RLW · 11-03-2005, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

When I was stationed at Eielson AFB Alaska in the late 60's and early 70's, you would "plug in the car" every night during the winter. The plug wire ran to a standed 4 plug box that you would mount under the hood, and plugged into that would be a battery plate heater that would keep the battery warm, a circulating heater (normally) that was installed into the cooling system which would keep the water in the system reasonably warm, a heater that would circulate air in the car to keep the windows from fogging and then icing over, and a night lite so you knew the plug that everything was connected to was live!!!! Some folks would also use a "dipstick" heater or "oil pan heater (had coils and bolted to the bottom of the oil pan)", especially with an air cooled vehicle like a volkswagon.

Best way to "die a young person in Alaska"?????? ...Unplug their car and get caught doing it!!!!!!

I bet they weren't paying the CO-OP rates to keep them all going?

CEP · 11-03-2005, 10:08 AM

I was also stationed at Eielson AFB in the late 60's and early 70's.
We may have crossed paths at one point.
Especially if you went to the BX.
I was in the Fire Dept. and worked at Station#1 on the flight line.
My rank was E-4 and we use to hang out at the NCO Club.
I'm sure you must have taken the shuttle bus to the big city of Fairbanks!!!
I enjoyed the SUNNY midnight hikes we use to take in the summer, until a cow moose chased us out of the woods and back to base housing area!!

It is nice to know someone from good old Eielson!!
Ever thought of going back there?
Hope you might e-mail me and we can write about Alaska!

Have a good one!
CEP

CEP · 11-06-2005, 11:12 AM

For those who are fortunate enough to live year round on an Island are there Police and Medical staff available when an emergancy arises?

Thanks,

CEP

CEP · 11-12-2005, 08:12 AM

Are year round Island people retired or do they have a 9-5 job?
If they have a job, I would think that some parts of the year they wouldn't be able to make it to work! How does that work??

CEP

Bizer · 11-13-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CEP

... I would think that some parts of the year they wouldn't be able to make it to work! How does that work??

CEP

I knew of a school teacher that lived year 'round on Whorltleberry Island. He rented a room at a motel for three weeks in January and April. At those times of year, he was offered quite a discount.

KPW · 11-13-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CEP

For those who are fortunate enough to live year round on an Island are there Police and Medical staff available when an emergancy arises?

I know Tuftonboro just got a new airboat last year. That will travel over ice, even if it is not quite frozen.

CEP · 11-14-2005, 12:10 PM

My friends all have questions about the lake and I am sometimes left in the dark with an answer but with people like you the light is turned on!!

Many thanks for the reply.

CEP

10-31-2005, 08:16 PM	#3
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MA Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	perspectives Lady Di, I think you're viewing the potential of the experience only from your perspective. The fact of the matter is that there are many people who LOVE the winter and all it's beauty up here. The Lake represents a really unique environment to view the wonders of a New England winter. Living on the islands in winter is not a 9-month stint of isolation. There are only a few weeks on either end where ice is not traversable (without hovercraft). The rest of the time is not much different than in summer, but you use a snowmobile (or later a car/truck) instead of a boat to get back and forth. You really can live a normal life.....you're not banished to the hinterlands for 9 months. Boating up to early January, then back to the boats by mid/late April (that's only 4 months, with access throughout). It seems like a great challenge which I hope to try some day soon.

11-02-2005, 08:58 AM	#4
CEP Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Charlton City,MA Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Orion I agree 100% CEP

11-02-2005, 01:35 PM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,592 Thanks: 3,232 Thanked 1,109 Times in 798 Posts	Boating in january If you have an outboard, there will be no problem leaving the boat in the water up until the ice starts to form. The water drains back into the lake when the motor is off. There was a couple of occasions that I had to break a thin layer of ice at the launch ramp to get the boat on the trailer. It is a weird feeling to boat in the middle of a snowstorm. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day. Last edited by BroadHopper; 11-02-2005 at 01:36 PM. Reason: spelling

11-02-2005, 05:01 PM	#8
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,592 Thanks: 3,232 Thanked 1,109 Times in 798 Posts	Dipstick heater A fellow boater bought a dipstick heater that actually heats up the oil in the oil pan. I don't know where you can get one, but a search on the internet came up with several brands. Since warmth rise, I bet it keeps the block warm enought to prevent the water from freezing. You will have to connect it to shore line. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

11-02-2005, 11:34 PM	#9
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,604 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,469 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	When I was stationed at Eielson AFB Alaska in the late 60's and early 70's, you would "plug in the car" every night during the winter. The plug wire ran to a standed 4 plug box that you would mount under the hood, and plugged into that would be a battery plate heater that would keep the battery warm, a circulating heater (normally) that was installed into the cooling system which would keep the water in the system reasonably warm, a heater that would circulate air in the car to keep the windows from fogging and then icing over, and a night lite so you knew the plug that everything was connected to was live!!!! Some folks would also use a "dipstick" heater or "oil pan heater (had coils and bolted to the bottom of the oil pan)", especially with an air cooled vehicle like a volkswagon. Best way to "die a young person in Alaska"?????? ...Unplug their car and get caught doing it!!!!!! __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

10-30-2005, 09:59 AM	#1
tricia1218 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: MA/Paugus Bay Posts: 155 Thanks: 31 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Full time island residents must have some great stories of island living in the winter. The planning, and guess work, when will the lake freeze? Do i have enough wood, food? Alot of planning must be involved, I am intrigued, of course I live about 5 minutes to the local market, and do not have to worry if the road is thick enough to drive on.

11-02-2005, 01:41 PM	#7
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,967 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	Boating until January..... depends on alot of factors! The water temp of the lake is the biggest factor. I would start getting nervous when the water temp falls below 38 degrees or so... If your boat has an outboard on it, your pretty safe from freezing as they are self draining. If you have an inboard/outboard you will need to put some sort of heat in the bilge. Usually a high wattage light bulb will do. I recommend using a pair of them in case one blows out.... Woodsy

11-03-2005, 10:08 AM	#11
CEP Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Charlton City,MA Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Upthesaukee I was also stationed at Eielson AFB in the late 60's and early 70's. We may have crossed paths at one point. Especially if you went to the BX. I was in the Fire Dept. and worked at Station#1 on the flight line. My rank was E-4 and we use to hang out at the NCO Club. I'm sure you must have taken the shuttle bus to the big city of Fairbanks!!! I enjoyed the SUNNY midnight hikes we use to take in the summer, until a cow moose chased us out of the woods and back to base housing area!! It is nice to know someone from good old Eielson!! Ever thought of going back there? Hope you might e-mail me and we can write about Alaska! Have a good one! CEP

11-06-2005, 11:12 AM	#12
CEP Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Charlton City,MA Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Question For those who are fortunate enough to live year round on an Island are there Police and Medical staff available when an emergancy arises? Thanks, CEP

11-12-2005, 08:12 AM	#13
CEP Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Charlton City,MA Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Island Res. Are year round Island people retired or do they have a 9-5 job? If they have a job, I would think that some parts of the year they wouldn't be able to make it to work! How does that work?? CEP

11-14-2005, 12:10 PM	#16
CEP Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Charlton City,MA Posts: 110 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Bizer/KPW My friends all have questions about the lake and I am sometimes left in the dark with an answer but with people like you the light is turned on!! Many thanks for the reply. CEP