Author: Cottage Life

How to make your three-season plumbing work all winter

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 29 September 2022

By OlegDoroshin/Shutterstock

Our 800 sq. ft. log-and-frame cabin two hours outside of Whitehorse was never designed to be lived in from November to March. In our first winter, plummeting temperatures and frozen pipes regularly set us scrambling for every space heater, hair dryer, and heating blanket we could get our hands on. On -30°C mornings, I opened the kitchen faucet with trepidation. Would there be water? Showers? Coffee? The rest of the day hung in the balance.

We’re hardly alone in our struggles with fair-weather plumbing. A growing number of cottagers are embracing the colder months. Some are attempting to stretch their three-season water systems into four. Others, conceding to Mother Nature, are taking a rustic and more old-fashioned approach (e.g., drilling a hole in the ice or melting snow).

Choosing the best option for you comes down to budget, how often you visit the cottage, the conveniences you want while you’re there, and how literally you care to interpret the Zen proverb “chop wood, carry water.”

The four-season system

If your ice-auguring days are behind you and you don’t mind paying to keep the cottage heated all winter, upgrading to a four-season system may be well worth the investment—especially if you’re planning to retire to the cottage, or live there part- or full-time (as we did).

The goal is to freeze-proof each stage of the water’s journey, from intake to kitchen sink to septic tank. Simple though this may sound, there are many factors to account for, including the distance from the water source to the cottage, the soil depth, and whether you’re retrofitting or installing new pipe. Your best bet is to contact an expert early on, before you make any decisions.

How to repair heating cable

My husband and I found that out the hard way, purchasing an off-the-shelf heating cable kit at the hardware store. He spent hours crawling around in a dusty crawl space, running it along a pipe through several floor joists. Had we bought a different style of heating cable, we could have saved ourselves hours of installation time.

A company that specializes in winter-proof systems should be able to help you think through the overall design and navigate the vast array of application-specific products.

Protect your intake

Choose a location in the lake where your water intake will sit below the ice and won’t freeze. On most lakes in southern and central Ontario, this means 1.5–2 meters below the water level and 30 cm above the lake bottom to avoid sediment. If you’re new to an area, ask your neighbours about the typical ice thickness on your lake.

Don’t use a concrete block to weigh down the pipe. “Blocks can be sharp and chafe the pipe,” said Lorne Heise, the founder and CEO of Heat-Line, a company that specializes in freeze-protection systems. Alternative plumber-approved options include a shore or lake-bottom rock, or concrete, pre-set in a form. You can protect the pipe—from wave action and ice floes, for example—by running it inside a sacrificial conduit (i.e., a pipe with a larger diameter).

Cottage Q&A: How can we prevent our water supply from freezing?

Time to dig in

“Atmosphere is the harshest environment,” says Heise. “It can go to 40 below with wind chill.” Your first line of defense is to run pipe below the frost line. Usually, this means burying the pipe (1.3-2 metres deep in central and southern Ontario). While material costs may be as cheap as dirt, you’ll likely have to rent an excavator to the tune of at least $250 per day.

Turn up the heat

If you can’t dig below the frost line, you can use heating cable to keep your water and sewage lines ice-free. Self-regulating heating cable emits heat along its length and can automatically adjust its output to compensate for differing temperatures along the pipe.

For those retrofitting an existing system, in-pipe heating cable can be run inside a water pipe. “You can, in some cases, push them in 100 to 150 feet,” says Heise. While pricing varies, 100 feet of potable in-pipe cable with a thermostat can cost up to $2,300 in materials (plus separate installation costs—this varies).

On-pipe heating cable is attached to the outside of the pipe and costs half as much as in-pipe systems. It’s not immersed in water and doesn’t have to meet potability standards. So, there’s a cash savings: 100-feet of on-line heat tape with a thermostat would cost approximately $1,300. While less expensive, it’s not a great option for retrofitting underground lines (as you would have to dig them up in order to install the heating cable on the pipe). Yes, using any kind of heating cable will increase your power bill. However, you can reduce its energy usage by insulating the pipe (more on that below).

It’s possible to find further efficiency by putting the cable on a thermostat or timer. A self-regulating heating cable can adjust its temperature but not turn itself off completely and is therefore always consuming power while turned on. A thermostat or timer can turn the product on and off while maintaining pipe temperature; one hundred feet of properly installed and insulated heating cable could add less than $50 (at 14 cents per KWH) to your winter monthly bills.

15 cottage repairs to make before winter sets in

Insulate

Insulation is a powerful ally in your battle against the elements. “The minute we insulate the pipes, the efficiency of our heating cable is up to 80 per cent better,” says Heise. Above ground, Heise often recommends self-sealing closed-cell polyethylene foam sleeves, also known as insulated wrap, with a minimum ¾” wall. “They just look like a pool noodle that kids play with,” he says, “except that they’re black and they’ve got a bore in them.” They can be found at hardware stores or online in 6-foot lengths. To help protect the works from nibbling critters and errant off-roaders, one option is to slide the pipe and insulation into a 10-cm corrugated poly drain pipe.

In the ground, you can add insulation to the above-mentioned assembly by cutting blocks of closed-cell extruded polystyrene insulation and laying them on the top and sides of the drainpipe. Not all heating cable systems can be insulated, says Heise—something to keep in mind when you’re shopping around for heating cable options.

Can’t bury the line? Limited power? Use gravity

The options above might be impractical for a cottage that’s on rocky ground (where it’s impossible to bury line) or off-grid (with limited means to power long runs of heating cable). An alternative is to use a drain-back system, which relies on gravity to drain the supply line before water can freeze in it.

Drain-back systems use a submersible pump to push water up to the cottage. Once the indoor pressure tank is full, the pump shuts off and the supply line drains back to the lake, well, or river. While simple in theory, improvised DIY versions often run into issues with air shooting through the faucets or back-spinning the pump (which risks motor damage).

In the mid-1990s, cottager Adam Soszka ironed out these wrinkles and perfected a self-draining system at his family cottage on Fairholme Lake, Ont. He went on to build a successful business around it. “We have a patented valve assembly which my father invented,” says Mark Soszka, Adam’s son and the owner of Cottage Water Supply. “The valve facilitates draining the line down to the lake without back-spinning the pump, and with a good amount of speed.” The Cottage Water Supply system also includes an inline check valve in front of the water tank to maintain water pressure inside the building and an air release valve that automatically allows air in and out of the system. “A proper system should not get any air in your plumbing,” says Soszka.

Cottage Water Supply, one of the few companies that specializes in these systems, sells DIY drain-back packages in the range of $3,500-$5,000 (including the pump, pressure tank, pipe, heating cable, and various fittings).

Over time, we’ve learned our home’s ice-forming idiosyncrasies, sourced out her cold spots, and added insulation and heating cable. In our view, it’s been well worth the time and money. Rather than waking up panicked on frosty mornings, we take a shower, brew a coffee, and welcome the crystalline air and blue skies that come with a cold snap.

Tags four-season cottage, plumbing, septic, water systems, winter, winter cottaging, winterizing

Cottage Life

Is it time to switch from a fixed-rate to variable-rate mortgage on your cottage?

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 29 September 2022

Photo by Amnaj Khetsamtip/Shutterstock

With the cost of borrowing on the rise, cottage owners might wonder if now is the right time to switch from a fixed-rate mortgage to a variable-rate one—or continue to weather the storm until borrowing rates begin to cool.

After cutting interest rates to near-zero levels at the start of the pandemic to encourage spending, Canada’s central bank has hiked interest rates five times this year to tame soaring inflation, which has risen to its highest level in decades.

On September 7, the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate to 3.25 per cent, triggering higher borrowing rates for homeowners who are up for renewal on their fixed-rate mortgages or ones with variable-rate mortgages. In an environment of rising rates, more of your payment goes towards interest, which means it will take you longer to pay down your mortgage. (For example, as of writing, borrowers with TD Bank can expect to pay 5.24 per cent on a five-year fixed mortgage or 5.15 per cent on a five-year variable mortgage.)

Andrew Thake, a mortgage broker based in Ottawa, cautions cottage owners against getting swept up in the panic of rising rates. First and foremost, Thake says anyone with a variable-rate mortgage on a cottage should call their mortgage broker, not their bank. “A broker can give them a broader scope of the options available at their lender and dozens of other lenders.”

Thake says some lenders may fix the payment on the variable interest rate mortgage. “There are a select group of lenders where if rates go up and down, your payment stays the same,” he says. “And then within that payment, the mix of principle and interest changes.”

According to Thake, cottage owners can jump ship to a fixed rate for peace of mind, but it comes with risks. “If we look at charts of variable interest rates over the last 10, 20, 30 years, those who have gone with a variable rate tend to have done better than those who have gone with a fixed rate,” says Thake.

The data backs this up. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation found that homeowners with variable-rate mortgages had paid an average interest rate of 4.14 per cent in the past 25 years, which is lower than the average 5.30 per cent fixed-rate holders paid over the same period.

There’s no penalty associated with switching from a variable to a fixed rate on your mortgage. “But if you ever want to switch from a fixed to a variable rate, you can’t do that without a penalty,” says Thake. “Plus, the penalties on fixed rates are typically quite large when we compare them to penalties on other types of mortgages.”

Thake says whatever decision you make, it’s important to make it with a long-term view in mind. “If you start to time the real estate market, it would be like timing the stock market, and most people don’t fare too well with that kind of stuff.”

Tags fixed rate, housing market, mortgage, real estate, variable rate

Cottage Life

Can you go to a powwow? Yes, you can

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 29 September 2022

Photo by Alina Reynbakh/ Shutterstock

What is a powwow, anyway? Contrary to a common, and ignorant, idiom, having a powwow is not participating in an informal meeting at the office. But they aren’t the same as they used to be either. Prior to 1876, powwows were a ceremony to mark alliances with other tribes or to celebrate a good hunt. They typically occurred once per year, where people would drum, dance, eat food, and heal. But with the introduction that year of the Indian Act—a piece of legislation widely recognized as racist—various Indigenous ceremonies (as well as the potlatch, ghost dance, and sun dance) were outlawed. This lasted until 1951 with the removal of some of the discriminatory sections. Today, powwows are acts of reclamation that help maintain connections to traditions, songs, regalia, and community.

And you’re welcome to join in! It doesn’t matter if you’re non-Indigenous. If you’ve been hesitant to go because you’re worried that you might say or do the wrong thing, don’t overthink it. It’s okay to make mistakes—just be open to being corrected. Nobody’s going to yell at you. Promise. There really aren’t any hard and fast rules, as there are in traditional ceremonies such as the sweat lodge.

For the most part, it’s just about being respectful. But here are a few basics to get you started. Don’t bring alcohol. Do pack a lawn chair or a blanket. Being comfortable is allowed! If there’s a circle that’s been cleared by a crowd, walking through it is considered rude. There’s probably dancing going on in the middle.

How much do you really know about dream catchers?

Keep in mind that we aren’t there to perform for you, so ask permission before you take pictures. And even if you are allowed to, don’t stop dancers and ask to take a selfie with them, and don’t call their regalia a “costume.” Regalia is traditional clothing worn by Indigenous people for ceremonies like powwows. Stand for the Grand Entry, where an Elder will lead dancers into the arena. If an eagle feather falls on the ground, don’t pick it up. It’s guarded until it can be properly retrieved and returned to its owner. When in doubt, watch the crowd. Do what they do. Oh, and bring some cash so you can try some food. If I ate meat, or gluten, I’d start with a bannock burger or a bannock taco. Really, anything with bannock.

Powwows aren’t hard to find either. Search online for sites that publish the powwow trail. Communities have set dates so that dancers can do a tour across Turtle Island, and they try hard not to overlap with each other. Hope to see you there.

This story was originally published in the May 2022 issue of Cottage Life.

What’s the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation?

Tags canada, cultural appreciation, David A. Robertson, First Nations, Indigenous, navigation tools, Pow-wow, Powwow, Turtle Island

Cottage Life

New bylaws in BC town bring strict rules against feeding wildlife—even unintentionally

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 29 September 2022

Photo Contest entry by Andrea Lam

Three updated bylaws in the town of Vernon, B.C. aim to further deter residents from feeding wildlife, even unintentionally. Made official this Wednesday, the rules mandate that residents protect animal attractants on their property, such as fruit and nut trees, bird feeders, and compost piles.

In a release, the City of Vernon stated that regulations “are expected to reduce unintended negative consequences to wildlife, reduce damage to private property by animals, and reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflict.” The province’s Wildlife Act already considers feeding wildlife an offence, but the Vernon bylaws go a step further to include unintentional or neglectful behaviour, like leaving attractants exposed. Violations can come with a fine, but the statement noted that education is “the preferred method to gain compliance.”

This is what to do when you see a bear

Located about an hour’s drive from Kelowna, Vernon is surrounded by extensive wildland areas, and is home to wildlife common to the Okanagan region, such as deer, cougars, and black bears. Given the location of some residential areas, “it’s common to see wildlife travelling through neighbourhoods,” Christy Poirier, a communications manager for the city said via email.

Poirier said over the years, residents have been raising concerns about people intentionally feeding animals such as deer, drawing them closer into the city. Feeding wildlife can cause a number of problems, such as having animals become dependent on human food, and making them habituated—which can increase the risk of a dangerous encounter.

Black bears are of particular concern in Vernon; last year, the city was among the five ‘deadliest’ BC communities for the animal, based on provincial data showing how many bears were put down by conservation officers.

Any area where humans and wildlife coexist can be vulnerable to these issues—be sure to stay informed on how to protect attractants from bears and other animals on your property, and what to do if you do encounter larger animals like bears or cougars close by.

The Hive to shutter its doors in Honey Harbour

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 28 September 2022

Photo by Daniel Ehrenworth

It’s a sad day for Georgian Bay—after eight years in operation, The Hive in Honey Harbour, Ont., will close its flagship location after Thanksgiving weekend.

“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” says owner Lauren Patchett, who opened the store in 2014 when she was just 22 years old. “The store is my baby.”

After initially leasing the building from the previous owner, Lauren was able to purchase the property in 2016 with the help of her parents. “We went in together as an investment,” says Lauren. But earlier this summer, the family made the difficult decision to sell the building. “They need their share to rebuild a new home. And the difference between the market between last summer and this summer is so profound that when my parents did get a firm offer, we had to take it.” Shortly after they accepted the offer in May, the prices in the area dipped down.

The future of the building is yet to be determined, but the space will not be a retail store going forward. “Maybe I could have found another silent partner to help keep the place alive,” says Lauren. “But at the same time, I’m one of those people who needs to start a project. I like to bounce around.” Lauren opened a second location in Collingwood in late 2018 that she plans to expand. She’ll also focus her efforts on building out The Hive’s online store.

In the eight years that The Hive has been open, it’s grown to be much more than just a store. In addition to clothing and art inspired by the Bay, Lauren added an in-store café, a day spa in a nearby bunkie, and yoga classes on the dock overlooking the lake. It’s become a hub for the community, a place that flourished in a small town where businesses struggle to survive more than one summer. “I love the Collingwood store, but from the bottom of my heart, it’ll never mean as much to me as the Honey Harbour store,” says Lauren.

But this may not be the end of the road for The Hive in Honey Harbour. “We’re looking at locations right now to potentially do a summer-long pop-up,” says Lauren. “That could be really exciting.”

As for Lauren herself, she might take on an entirely different project. “I was really inspired through COVID and my own personal struggles with mental health to get more involved in the mental health industry. I’d like to find a way to marry that with Georgian Bay,” she says. “I’m kind of starting over, and it’s a little nerve-racking, but it’s also exciting.”

Tags Georgian Bay, Honey Harbour, lauren patchett, Muskoka, The Hive

Cottage Life

Are there cons to winterizing the cottage?

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 28 September 2022

By AlexMaster/Shutterstock

Q: “Last year I winterized my cottage—which was a big job but seemed sensible at the time. Then winter rolled around, and I only went up for one weekend. I feel like I’ve just wasted a whole bunch of money on something I won’t use. Was I wrong to winterize? Everyone said it was the best way to go.”

A: I know it’s hard for many people to imagine, but there once was a period in history when having a year-round cottage with all the mod cons of home was the exception, not the rule. Back then, cottages were mostly for warm weather use, and in the fall—usually on Thanksgiving weekend—the pump got drained, and shutters were hung for another long winter. That, of course, was ancient history. Today, it seems like seasonal cottagers are pretty much a minority.

Usually, when cottagers take the year-round leap, it’s because they are true winter lovers who want to get as much enjoyment out of the place as humanly possible. You know, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing through the ice. Wineskins and raclette. That sort of thing. These folks come up every weekend and even do family holidays at the lake. For others, their primary motivation is to one day move to the lake and live there year round, a transition that many retirees attempt with varied levels of success. In both scenarios there is a degree of passion and careful planning involved, neither of which I’m seeing in your situation. Even considering factors like bad weather, hockey tournaments, dance classes, and doctor’s appointments, if you only managed to visit your newly upgraded cottage-home for just one weekend all winter then it might be time to admit that year-round cottaging is just not your bag.

From the sound of it, you have been railroaded into this expensive action by an outside influence. Did a real estate agent offer you some advice about “resale,” perchance? They often use the word like a whip. That’s why so many people have multiple unused guest bedrooms, tempered glass deck railings, and sprawling acreages of “one-floor living.” Or were you perhaps swayed by a close friend or relative who loves to spend time at your cottage? You know, the lump who is there every weekend but doesn’t contribute a single red cent toward upkeep, maintenance, or an expensive renovation? Alternatively, God forbid, have you been talking to your lake neighbours? This can be dangerous. You might get solid advice about February living. Or you might be seen as a source of companionship for the retired marketing executive next door who has gone batty from the romantic solitude of full-time winter at the cottage. Misery loves company.

Special considerations for insuring winterized cottages

I don’t want to play Debbie Downer here, but while you may have just flushed away a large bowl of money doing your renovation, there is another loud sucking sound that has yet to come your way. Because you’ll want to keep the heat on so the pipes don’t freeze. You’ll also need to hire a friendly plow truck lady to keep your lane clear for the fire department. The more it snows, the more you pay. And be prepared: your taxes may go up. So while you sit at home not using your cottage, it is gorging itself on vast amounts of your money like a beautiful, fully insulated deer tick.

What’s more, Murphy’s Law dictates that because you made a specific effort to fortify your cottage against winter perils, something bad and expensive will surely happen in the first few years. Like a ruffed grouse going kamikaze through the picture window in the great room. Or a family of flying squirrels occupying the guest bedroom. Maybe the backup generator won’t run. Or maybe the backup generator won’t stop, gobbling up all the propane so the furnace can’t fire and the pipes freeze solid. Which means indoor flooding come spring. Thinking about this stuff can cause worry and stress, stress that you didn’t know that you’d feel until you winterized. Did you remember to close the window in the upstairs bathroom after your last visit? Sure, lots of people with year-round access use their cottages as regularly as possible in the winter. But there are a whole bunch more I only see once or twice, who are just coming up “to check on the place” to ease their nerves.

4 ways a cottager keeps the spirit alive after closing up

But there is hope for you yet, and the solution is simple. Go to your cottage and start using it—not just in the winter, but also in the most inhospitable bits of time in spring and fall. The place is all set up for you to enjoy, after all. The only way you can know if year-rounding is right for you is to work at it a bit. And apart from actually getting better value for your cottage dollar, you might learn how great it feels to be up on the lake when conditions are less than perfect. (Or, flip side, you might discover how much you hate it.) I love the off-seasons because there are fewer other cottagers around. Which is great if you enjoy silence and solitude, but not so good if you need constant company and stimulation. Will you feel isolated? I can’t really say, but you could always hang out with your neighbour, the lonely executive, and play some two-handed euchre. Just give it a try.

Winter activities for your whole family

But let’s say your winterized experiment is an abject failure because of some small detail. Like the fact that you hate cold weather. Fear not. Because if those realtors are right, hordes of buyers will fight for a chance to buy your cozy and convenient cottage, open for business 365 days a year. Which would be a perfect opportunity for you to become an old-school cottager with a strictly seasonal hacienda. When autumn comes around, you can drain the plumbing and board the place up. Remember to flip the main breaker and suspend your phone service till next year. Come winter, rather than worry, you can have happy dreams about the place. Home to summer fun and only one big turkey dinner.

This article was originally published in the Winter 2019 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

Tags cottage, humour, snow, winter, winterizing, zim weighs in, zimmer

Cottage Life

Everything you have to do this fall

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 28 September 2022

Photo by Jenny Bertrand

Looking for something to do this weekend? Fall is one of the best seasons to get out and explore—everything is a little less busy than summertime, and the weather is always refreshing. Whether you want to see the leaves changing colour, pick a pumpkin, or eat a delicious butter tart, we’ve rounded up our favourite fall activities for you.

Go apple picking at one of these orchards

Visit a cranberry bog

Head to a pumpkin patch

Visit one of Canada’s spookiest destinations

Go to a fall fair

Drive to see the fall foliage

Go on a butter tart driving tour

Or head to one of the best bakeries

Spend the cool fall morning in a cozy coffee shop

Grab a donut to go with your coffee

Head out for a hike in Muskoka

Explore caves and grottos

Take a canoeing trip in Algonquin

Enjoy one of cottage country’s best sandwiches

Eat an ooey-gooey hot cinnamon bun

Spend a rainy day at an antique store

Grab your bike and hit some trails

Catch a fall sunset—the colours are gorgeous

Pick up some fish and chips

Pack up for a multi-day hike

Or just head out for a day hike

Tags apple picking, best ofs, butter tarts, coffee shops, fall, fall fair, pumpkin patch, things to do

Cottage Life

Sable Island’s wild horse population weathers Hurricane Fiona

Post author By Cottage Life
Post date 28 September 2022

Photo Courtesy of Sable Island Institute/Facebook

On Saturday morning, Hurricane Fiona collided with the East Coast of Canada. Wind speeds reached 179 km/h, Antigonish, N.S. recorded 200 millimetres of rain, and waves in the Atlantic Ocean peaked at 30 metres high. Homes were flattened, towns flooded, and thousands have been left without power.

One of the few groups to emerge unfazed by the hurricane is the wild horses of Nova Scotia’s Sable Island. “Late Friday afternoon the horses were still grazing as usual. They sought shelter during the storm and by mid-day Saturday they slowly came out from the dunes to continue their grazing,” said the Sable Island National Park Reserve in an update.

Sable Island is a 42-kilometre-long crescent of shifting sand dunes and long grass, located 290 kilometres off the coast of Halifax in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is operated by Parks Canada and plays host to researchers and visitors.

The island is also home to around 500 wild horses. The exact origin of the horses is unknown, but the most common theory is that they were taken from Acadians deported to the U.S. in 1760 and resettled on Sable Island to be used at a later date. No one came for the horses, though, and eventually, they grew feral.

The horses have had to adapt to a harsh, windy climate. With no tree coverage, Sable Island is exposed, leaving only beach grass and marram grass to cover the island’s surface. Over the years, there have been initiatives to plant trees on the island, but the only tree that’s managed to survive is a shrub-sized pine.

To deal with the climate, the horses have grown shaggy coats and manes, and have learned to dig shallow wells in the sand to access groundwater. There are also freshwater ponds the horses drink from on the western half of the island.

The horses live in small family groups with a dominant stallion, one or more mares, and their young foals, sticking within a territory of three square kilometres.

In 1960, the Federal Crown Assets Disposal Corporation put the horses up for sale with the intention of removing them from the island, but enough people wrote to then Prime Minister John Diefenbaker objecting to the sale, that he put an end to it, protecting the horses under the Canada Shipping Act. It’s now illegal for the horses to be touched or fed, and they don’t receive veterinary care.

Despite how well the horses have adapted, storms are still hard on the animals, and Hurricane Fiona managed to pummel Sable Island. “They find shelter from the wind and blowing sand in the lee of dunes—there are plenty of hollows and high dune slopes in inland areas, and depending on the wind direction, the horses also huddle on the beach at the base of the dunes,” the Sable Island Institute said in an update. Often the older horses will huddle around the younger ones, protecting them from the wind.

Once the storm had passed on Saturday, staff saw the horses emerge from the dunes and carry on with their routines as if nothing had happened.

The island’s buildings weren’t as lucky. Three Parks Canada employees and one Sable Island Institute researcher were holed up in the island’s station during the storm. “Our houses shook and we heard lots of banging with loose siding. Needless to say, like a lot of Maritimers, there was a lack of sleep that night. We were in regular contact with the mainland using a satellite telephone,” The Sable Island Park Reserve reported in its update.

The building lost siding and the storm damaged the roof, but no major catastrophes otherwise. There is a lot of debris around the station to be cleaned up and erosion to the dunes has prevented staff from taking vehicles out to check on the island’s beaches.

Visitor flights to the island have been cancelled until September 30 while staff complete urgent repairs and make a full assessment of the damage.

Tags Canadian National Parks, Nova Scotia, Parks Canada, sable island national park reserve, Wild Horses

Cottage Life