In 1970, my husband and I dropped out of society to join the “back to the land movement” with the goal of building a log house in the wilderness and living a simpler and more ecologically sound lifestyle. We thought we would do this for two years, but we stayed for 15. This book describes our dreams and disappointments during those 15 years.

“This is Suellen Guenther’s detailed and ever-so-personal account of her family’s time on the edge of the North Pacific Ocean. Jade Cove lies on seaward side of an island off Prince Rupert, far north on British Columbia’s coast. Behind the people story is an account of the tortuous building of a log cabin home. But the story is about the meantime, living in a tent for years, pounded by rain and wind, raising two baby boys, teaching school, hoping, imagining, surviving. And it comes to you that having read about all this, you know much more about how this dear friend grew so courageous, so durable, wise and interesting.” 

~ Don Vipond, Editorial Page Editor (ret’d), Times-Colonist, Victoria, BC 

“Having known Suellen since the time she writes about in this memoir, I can attest to her quality both as a writer and as a person. Her story in Gumboot Girls was many people’s favourite. It is a delight that she has now told the entire story of her days on the North Coast.”

~ Lou Allison, editor, “Gumboot Girls: adventure, love & survival on British Columbia’s North Coast: a collection of memoirs”