Nelson's biography contains many photos, but there are many more wonderful pics that didn't make it into the book. Here is a sampling, with comments:
Oh, that hair—as if Nelson was constantly buffeted by wind off the water, even when in his house!
Photo from Bamfield Museum and Archives.
Nelson and Nook.
Nelson and Snuggles offered necessary companionship to one another.
The Shantymen, stationed in Campbell River, occasionally flew in by float plane to visit Nelson. This is MAF Pilot Art Mitchell, who sometimes flew for the Shantymen.
Debbie (above) and Gloria (below) were frequent visitors, dearly loved by Nelson. They always combined visiting with cleaning, cooking and doing Nelson's laundry. They both served with Coastal Missions for many years. Gloria went home to be with Jesus in 2013.
My wife Sarah and I had the courage to bring our 8-month-old son Benjamin to visit Nelson in the summer of 1986. They got along famously.
Visiting in the cabin of an unidentified boat with Pete Williams (standing) and Paul Goetz in 1983.
Jim and Brian having fun with Nelson out on the boomsticks.
Exploring the frozen waterfall at the end of Pebble Beach with Don Cameron (bottom right).
The outside of this house carving is in the book, but here are the inside and the back of the carving. Such attention to detail!
Another of Nelson's windmill experiments, apparently designed to rotate the small wheel. On display in Nelson's suite, which has been set aside as a heritage room and a place of quiet and prayer.
A little unclear, but the only photo of a harp that Nelson made, lost in the fire.
A side view of the first cradle that Nelson crafted, which was for his first grandson. This is a rare glimpse of the inside of the old house.
Sketches for a toolkit that Nelson wanted to make, apparently to hold wedges and a sledgehammer for chopping wood or splitting shingles.
This carving was on the wall of the "Empress Room," a guest room that Nelson built onto the second house. It was removed when an addition was built on the house.
A view of the back of the second house, with the Empress Room tacked onto the second storey. Perhaps it was wise to take it down??
The Old House in its earlier days, probably in the mid-seventies. The shack on the left was possibly one of the original buildings used by early miners. Nelson stored tools and a small amount of firewood here.
