After significant work over the past two years, the IATNL basecamp at Stowbridges (aka James Cook’s Stone Brook) in North Arm is nearing completion and will soon be available for public use.
Serving as a basecamp for eco, geo and adventure “seefarers” and hikers interested in exploring the remotest region of the Bay of Islands and Cabox Geopark, the renovated two-storey biscuit box house in a small southeast facing cove once served as seasonal home for a local fisherman from Cox’s Cove.
In addition to the house itself, most of the 5-6ft high seawall extending along the highwater mark of the cove had to be rebuilt after a series of winter storms destroyed much of the older structure in 2019 and 2020.
This required nailing logs together to build the seawall
filling the crib work with large rocks
then topping off the crib work with gravel.
Over the past two years the sunporch addition was also completed inside and out, increasing the bunk capacity by two to 10 single occupancy.
On the lower level, the bottom kitchen cupboards were extended outward and a new countertop, full-sized sink and faucet were added, as was a new dining room table, chairs, and wall mural of Stowbridges Gulch.
On the split level at rear, new flooring and oak steps were added to the bathroom
as was a new window in preparation for a 3-piece shower surround above the bathtub.
New flooring and window was also added to the back (third) bedroom, which also received a fresh coat of paint. Matching oak steps will be added next year.
Finally, and just in time for cooler October nights, the cast iron stove was cleaned out and received a new lining of brick
which makes for cozy comfort inside
on longer cooler nights outside!
