A friend told me about a recent road trip she took where her traveling companion was a ceramic gnome named "Bill". She explained that she took pictures of "Bill" at points of interest, along the way and once home, created an album of "Bill’s" adventure. Her story explains why I have seen several travellers at the rest stop, taking pictures of stuffed animals, no doubt, their version of a traveling gnome. I have a little gnome, named, well, "Gnome". He sits under a tree in our yard overlooking the lake. Although "Gnome" wasn’t taken on a trip, from his vantage point, he would have seen many of the activities that kept our community busy this summer. On the lake, there were; slalom skiers; wake boarders; pontoon boats; fishing boats; a float plane; windsurfers; sailboats; pedal boats and lots of swimmers – one crossed the entire width of the lake. If "Gnome" could have travelled beyond the fence, he would have seen many private events held throughout the community including: family reunions; a fishing party; a graduation celebration; the annual bocce ball party; a treasure hunt, a number of milestone birthday parties; a housewarming party and lots of boating parties. In other years he would have seen; outdoor weddings; an engagement party; a bachelor party; a neighbourhood garage sale and several block parties. Once winter is here, "Gnome" will be buried under the snow, but until then, he can watch the many construction vehicles come and go on the road while neighbours finish the last of their development projects before the cold weather sets in.
Food is wild and free
The odd weather this spring and summer managed to promote healthy crops of rhubarb; Saskatoon berries; wild raspberries, strawberries and rose hips, all of which I have been harvesting and enjoying throughout the summer. One neighbour, unfamiliar with Saskatoons, was so impressed with their abundance and taste, is now trying to urge some wild bushes to grow in his yard. It will likely be a few years before he has his own berries but there are plenty of bushes on public land around the lake for everyone to enjoy. Saskatoons are also known as Juneberries. Juneberries are normally ready to eat in July and August. Maybe this is just another example of our slow-paced "Cariboo time"? Now is a good time for mushroom hunting. I have enjoyed some delicious "shaggy manes" supplied by a generous neighbour and I am on the hunt for a delicious giant puffball.
Another busy year
The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, a group who’s objectives include opposition to the current development proposal for Crown land at the east end of Lac des Roches, welcomed South Cariboo MLA, Charlie Wyse to their annual general meeting on Aug. 29. Wyse advised the group, that his office has confirmed with the Integrated Land Management Bureau, that the development proposal is "still on the table". The meeting focused on lake and wildlife monitoring reports and filling executive positions for the coming year. A meeting summary, the names of all the executive positions and future scheduled meetings will be posted on their website www.lacdesroches.org. The next general meeting is scheduled for August 2008 when the group will implement an annual membership fee to replace the existing initiation fee. Upcoming tasks include a land-use presentation and a request to Transport Canada to initiate the public hearing process to have the boating speed on Little Lac des Roches further restricted from 20 km/hr to 10 km/hr, in line with other small and sensitive lakes throughout the region.