LETTER FROM HOSTESS

Steve and I have lived off-grid (not hooked-up to conventional electric utility company) for over 25 years. Awareness of our energy consumption is second nature to us now. Whenever I'm considering any activity that requires electricity, I check the status of the battery bank. Well, not every activity, but those that draw more than a light bulb's worth.

Our energy system has grown considerably since our first years off-grid and the necessity of checking battery status before any electrical use has been supplanted by pressing the battery status button every morning and taking a quick glance out the window to determine whether or not we should monitor our use more carefully. A sunny day and/or a strong wind mean lots of "juice". We can do most things that other people do electrically but perhaps with a different approach or concern. Battery powered clocks versus clock radio. We have radios, TV, computers and various other appliances but we turn them off when not in use and in some situations turn off the power supply to them to circumvent their "instant-on" feature.

There are so many energy aspects I wasn't aware of until we became our own power company. I use to let the water run while I brushed my teeth, and I never looked at the power consumption draw of an electrical appliance I was going to purchase.

Jacks Lake Bed and Breakfast is first and foremost concerned with your comfort and enjoyment. Clean rooms, fresh linens, comfortable beds, a nice breakfast and all the little extras that make for a pleasant stay. As an off-grid house, however, your energy consumption is something that will factor into our energy generation operation. (Usually only a concern with such things as a hairdryer or curling iron, things that use resistant heaters.) We ask that you turn off lights when not in use and unplug your phones or computers once charged so that they don't continue to draw.

We are not intending to dictate your consumption but rather , need to know what and when so that we can insure that power is available. (Yes, you can use your hairdryer just give us a heads-up.) We have expanded our solar photo-voltaic array so we should be able to handle most additional power uses.

Depending on weather factors, however, it may or may not necessitate running the back-up generator, and your communication with us about such things will help us keep things running smoothly.

Interestingly enough, some power draws are so small that the inverter doesn't "kick-in" or it turns "on and off". Which means you need to turn something else on, perhaps just for a moment, to activate the inverter. If other things are "calling" this won't be an issue.

Another occasional occurrence is a slight time lag from when you flip a switch until something turns on. This could happen if something has a built-in "instant-on" feature that was circumvented or if it is initiating the inverter from stand-by status. This is all part of the alternate energy experience. It is not exactly like being on the grid. You become more aware of your energy consumption. It does not prohibit you from doing many of the same things you normally do but you may approach them differently.

We are not the energy police nor will we try to proselytize you. There are plusses and minuses to everything including alternate energy applications. If you're interested in discussing such things, we talk about it, warts and all. Alternate energy and its applications has always been a fascination of my husband, Steve, and he could talk for hours about it (and has!) Conversation with us is certainly welcome, but definitely optional. In addition to alternate energy we're interested in home schooling, gardening, holistic health and politics, and sailing.

While staying at Jacks Lake you can have as much privacy as you'd like, including breakfast in your room. We have a beautiful location and wonderful options for you , our guests. A hot sauna is something you can do year-round. Followed by a jump in the lake or a shower. The hot tub is seasonal (not used in the summer months) and accommodates four. Robes are provided but you may want to bring a pair of flip flops.

We have an extraordinary movie collection. One roving TV/DVD player but the meeting room has a digital projector and screen for communal viewing. Cards, various board games and art supplies are available. Each room has a strato-lounger and good reading light. A deck, volleyball/badminton court, gardens, floating dock and a canoe are available for your use. We want you to leave feeling relaxed and with your "batteries re-charged".

—Kathy Duffy