[IslandRadio]

Originally Posted by rgilfert

I have few more questions for the Rattlesnake islanders:
1) This one is probably impossible to answer...but...I'm trying to get a feel for how often and for how long the power typically goes out on the island? Does it tend to be worse during the spring & fall versus the summer? I guess a good barometer for me would be...how often do you end up throwing food out that was in the freezer or have to have a cocktail without ice cubes?

For us, at our place on Rattlesnake - just once did we have to clean out the refrigerator due to a prolonged power outage. That was during the hurricane that blasted Vermont last year. The power was out on the Island for somewhere around 5 days. Someone else could probably give you an exact count. The typical summer outages have not lasted more than a couple of hours, but we do get those prolonged outages if trees come down on the wires.

2) This is obviously dependent on the answer to #1...but...do any of you have small generators one the island or just don't bother with it?

I don't at the moment, but neighbors do. I would get one and plan on getting on this summer.

3) For early spring and fall when it is cold, how do you heat (wood, pellets, propane)? There is a very old wood stove in our place that I've been thinking about replacing. I was thinking of getting a pellet stove but that means that I'm dependent on having electricity. I was thinking pellets only for the simplicity of carrying them up from the boat and for storage. At my age....I doubt that I could wrestle large propane tanks up the hill. Any input?

We use wood for serious heating, but also use electric heat sometimes. I think your place is insulated, so it should heat reasonably. No propane at our place, but you could use it. The easiest way is probably to keep the tanks near to the water, and run a line up to the building. Check with your insurance carrier before proceeding

4) Lastly....do you have an island phone or simply rely on your cell phone?

Some of our neighbors have wired phones. We don't at this time.

Sorry for all the questions but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Hey, that's how you find out This is a good group. I've asked a lot of questions, and almost always get the answer.