July 16, 2006 (Day 53)

We awoke to cloudy, overcast skies and 50 degrees. It almost looked like it could snow! We were at Muncho Lake, B.C., a very beautiful resort area. The sunshine would have made so much more of its beauty. This lake sits at 2,700 ft. elevation. There are mountains all around the lake.

It was a free day for sightseeing or whatever we wanted to do. A group of us decided to go to the suggested tourist spot of Liard Hot Springs. It is about one hour up the highway in a provincial park. We put our swimsuits on under our sweatsuits and left around 10 a.m. For several of us, it had been quite a while since wearing a swimsuit, so it was a humbling experience for us! We had to walk about ¾ mile down a wooden boardwalk back to the springs. We had been warned, in all seriousness, to be on the lookout for bears. They, too, like this area and a few years back, a woman had been attacked and killed on the boardwalk to the springs. If the bear didn’t get us, we figured we would all die of mosquito bites, as they were just thick. We felt as if we were in a jungle.

Well, we all made it to the springs. A few other people from the caravan were there already. We stripped down and cautiously entered the water. It was so very warm. It was probably warmer than any bath water I have ever known. There were hot spots and the mouth of the springs, which Dan and I both walked to on a dare, was at 138 degrees. We didn’t stay in that spot very long, just long enough to get our picture taken!

The springs had a gravel bottom and a few concrete benches on the bottom, so we could sit with our heads above water and have the rest of our bodies under water. What a relaxing feeling. There was a lower level and stairs down to it where the water was cooler. There was also a waterfall there. One of the women from our caravan lost her halter top while sitting under the falls, because the water was so fast and powerful!

After braving the cool temperature of the air and the mosquitoes, about an hour, we struggled to climb out of the water. We felt like noodles. We got dressed and walked the distance back with no sight of a bear. We had all taken some kind of noise maker, (they suggested bear bells but couldn’t find any at the lodge store) so we dug out our noise makers from the parade at the rally and carried them. These were to make noise and scare away any bears that might want to approach us. (This is all a true story, folks!)

After having lunch at the lodge, we drove the distance back to the campground. Today was the first day we saw mountain sheep. In fact, we couldn’t miss them, as there was a herd of them in the road. They were mostly mothers and babies. A while later we saw the rams with the curved horns. These are called stone sheep. We just pulled off on the side of the road and watched them for awhile. Even though being wild, they didn’t seem to be afraid of us. Later we saw a large black bear on the other side of the highway and he didn’t seem to mind our presence either. We also spotted a marmot, a beaver-like animal with gold coloring and a bushy flat tail.

Forgot to mention that the sun came out at Liard Hot Springs and made it pleasant. By the time we got back to the campground, it was cloudy again.

There was a potlatch at 4:30 p.m. Our group was large with ten couples. We got to know some more people. Then supper was on our own. A campfire started at 7:30 p.m. with the driver’s meeting following.

Tomorrow, Dan and I “de-park” It involves checking everyone’s rig before they leave the campground, hitches, tires, lights, steps up, antennas down, etc. We have to be ready when the leaders leave at 7 a.m. and remain in place until 9:30 a.m. We will then check the grounds for anything forgotten before we can leave. Obviously, we will be the last to go.

We were dry camped here for two days, so we will be ready to get to the next campground in Watson Lake where there are full hook-ups. Dry camped means no electric (work off batteries), no water (use water in tank), and no sewer (hold waste in holding tanks). We can do that for 3-4 days, but we really have to watch water consumption and battery use.

After a few chores and preparing the trailer to leave tomorrow, we went to bed. And, oh yes, it is still light at 10 p.m. and was for about another hour. Last night for the first I slept with my sleep mask to keep the light out of my eyes. It worked well.

Till on up the road……



July 15, 2006 (Day 52)

We were glad to leave Fort Nelson, B.C. this morning. It was a rather dismal campground with crowded facilities and little organization. There was a lot of water standing around, but expected it since they had had a lot of rainfall in the couople days before our arrival. However, more than one of us suspected leaky sewage. The smell was bad. It was Friday night and several locals had come in to pary and smoke pot. The odor was very evident in the air. Restrooms were dirty and grounds unkempt. The mosquitoes were very thick. I think our leaders were disappointed in this campground.

When we left this morning, it was cloudy and chilly. Temp was at 56 degrees when we left at 8:10 a.m. The sun peaked through the clouds occasionally, but mostly it was gray and cloudy with sprinkles of rain off and on. It was also windy.

We had a short trip today, just 156 miles. We traveled with our St. Louis friends, Darrell and Sharon Waters and Fred and Dottie Steurer. We look every day for wildlife. I haven’t yet understood why we get so excited when we see a deer. We see them in Missouri all the time! However, today we hit the jackpot and saw two big black bears, two moose, a family of five caribou and two other caribou at another time. The family of five caribou was in the middle of the road and just stood to look at us. Darrell was in the lead and he came to a complete stop, as well as we, and Fred behind us, did. Darrell would start to go forward and the caribou just turned and walked down the middle of the road ahead of us, then stop and turn to look back at us again! After a little game of dodgeball, they finally turned off to the side and went into the vegetation so we could travel on. They were fun to watch.

On the way, it was recommended that we stop at a wilderness lodge and have their famous cinnamon rolls. The lady knew ahead of time that we were coming, so she and her neighbors had been baking for us. The rolls were being pulled out of the ovens when we all in separate groups stopped by. They were about 6x6” and 2” high, covered with cinnamon sauce, and they were warm. Yum. What a delightful, sticky experience. This was a fishing camp on a river and all the buildings were in deplorable condition, but they are known for their baking and hospitality year-around. All electricity is by generators. They had a few motel rooms and cabins. A building housing the showers and bathrooms was labeled: “Hot showers, $5.00”. The inside of the little building where we bought the rolls was lined with skins of all kinds of animals. This was nothing like we had ever seen before.

For today and tomorrow, we are at a campground on Muncho Lake. What a beautiful lake nestled down in the valley with mountains all around. Muncho Lake is the color of jade green an is so beautiful. The campground at this resort is right on the lakefront. We were lucky to get a spot on the lake. The back end of the trailer is probably 8’ from the water. I told Dan to be sure to set the brakes good and put blocks behind the tires!

We just got set up when we found out we were scheduled for a boat ride around the lake. They took four groups, as the boat only holds 16 at a time. It was an hour ride with narration on the history of the area and the lake. It was very interesting.

When we got off the boat, supper was waiting. Tonight was the first cookout. We had grilled hamburgers, baked beans, slaw, and all the fixings for the hamburgers. It was very good.

After a couple hours there was a campfire by the lake, which was almost behind our trailer. It stays light here until about 11 p.m., so you can’t wait for dark to do a campfire!.

There will be a day on our own tomorrow, so we will take in some suggested sightseeing. Till then……..