Author: lacdesroches

Ice covered Little Lac des Roches on Nov. 19 when night-time temperatures stayed below zero, and has remained intact through the severe wind storms that followed. Although it appeared ice covered the big lake on Nov. 29, when temperatures had dipped below -20 C, there were open patches at the west end. The strong winds and wave action has been taking the ice off ever since. Cold temperatures and still air is needed soon to freeze the big lake and ensure the ice is thick enough for the many holiday visitors who use the lake for cross-country skiing, walking and sledding. Birdwatchers busy
Birding continues to be active throughout the winter. The Feeder Watch program is in full swing and will continue until April. Residents are encouraged to participate in this fun activity and data collection is flexible within a few guidelines at www.birdscanada.org. The Christmas Bird Count outing will begin at Lac des Roches on the morning of Dec. 18. Area naturalist Tom Godin will be along for this fun-filled day of touring nearby Bridge Lake, ending back at Lac des Roches for refreshments. Wendy Marshall at 593-2327 needs to know who will be participating, in order to plan the excursion by Dec. 17. Bring a lunch, dress warm and expect to be entertained.

Sewing cause

Lac des Roches’ Bee Gees (Boultbee Gals) held another "bee" in November. With their sewing machines, a full coffee pot and Christmas baking samples, the ladies made 16 cloth table coverings for the Bridge Lake Community School Society. The new table cloths will debut at the school’s upcoming public Christmas Dinner and Concert on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Thanks to George Martin for his generous donation of very suitable fabric.

Winners succeed

The winning at losing session for the Bridge Lake Community School Society was a success and will continue as an informal drop-in session for those interested in discussing healthy lifestyle changes. Call Wendy at 593-4538 for more information.

Lake monitors

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake met on Nov. 24 to discuss water quality monitoring. Marg Sidney from the Ministry of Environment in Kamloops attended the meeting and discussed testing methods, data collection timing and the conclusions that have been documented in the reports generated by the BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) for both Lac des Roches and Little Lac des Roches. The lakes are considered healthy at the existing level of development, but the increased nutrients found in the lakes are not coming from the lake itself – the natural method – but rather from external sources such as household waste water, farming and logging activities and, most definitely, road maintenance. For this reason, residents and agencies must be aware of the chemicals being used in everyday living and eliminate those which are known to be harmful to the environment.

Daily exercising

The walkers of Boultbee Road are not deterred by the snow or cold weather. The ladies are grateful to Interior Roads for the plowing and sanding which makes walking a lot easier although walking poles and boots grippers are highly recommended. Special thanks to John Clarkson for his considerate gesture of plowing a walk path for the ladies when the plow is detained. The walkers meet at the half way point on the road at 12:30 p.mm every day and invite all the local ladies to join for good conversation and exercise.

For years, Lac des Roches residents have enjoyed the many activities hosted by the Bridge Lake Community School Society (BLCSS) operating out of the Bridge Lake School as volunteers, leaders and participants. This fall, several new residents stepped forward and added their knowledge and skills in a number of new offerings at the school. The trend will likely continue as fresh ideas surface and neighbours offer leadership and training. Tonight, (Nov. 24) at 7 p.m. , a couple of Lac des Roches residents are hosting a session they call "Winning by Losing. " They will lead a group discussion on personal success at weight loss, exercise and nutritional regimes, and lifestyle changes with the goal of sharing information with others who may face similar challenges. This initial session could lead to an ongoing group discussion, depending on interest. Last minute registration is allowed for this course by calling 250-593-4528. It costs $5 to participate. On Dec. 1, a neighbour will host an evening of crocheting kitchen crafts, and just in time for the Christmas gift-giving season. All money raised through these fun-filled community activities subsidizes the important programs at the school, such as play school classes, reading grannies and hot lunches.

Docking stations

Docks have been disappearing from the shoreline as the owners either pull them up onto the banks or move them to protected bays around the lake to avoid damage by shifting ice. Residents must be mindful that while "general permission" in the applicable regulations allows residents to place a single dock in front of their owned or leased waterfront lot, "specific permission" must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to place a dock elsewhere on a public lake. Regulations for docks and moorage facilities are covered by the federal and provincial governments.

Books wanted

Lac des Roches will be the temporary storage location for books that are being collected for the upcoming Play it Again community jumble sale to benefit BLCSS. Community members can call Sharron at 250-593-0041 until Jan. 15 to arrange a convenient pick-up or drop-off location and time. The society is accepting donations of "gently used" books, magazines, board games, VHS and DVD Videos, Music CD’s and jigsaw puzzles for this worthwhile fundraising event. The jumble sale is scheduled for Jan. 23 at the school, and it’s expected a wide range of used entertainment and sports merchandise will be offered for sale. Details will be in the next calendar, but table registration and consignment service information is available from Wendy Dubbin at 250-593-4538.

Fall garden surprises

Harvesting and sowing are completed now that we have snow. One resident’s first attempt at pumpkins produced a mild-flavoured fruit, easily mistaken for a tropical melon. Carrots and squash, slightly touched by frost, are sweet and tender and should last in cold storage for four to six months. Fall planting of garlic and spinach will be successful this year if we see the expected snow necessary for proper moisture and insulation.

Foreign dishes

Several Lac des Roches residents made up the total of 81 patrons who enjoyed the annual International Gourmet Dinner fundraising event hosted by the BLCSS on Nov. 8. By all reports there was great food, a wonderful ambiance and stimulating conversation between friends and neighbours sharing dining tables. Congratulations for a job well done to the volunteers and local restaurateurs. We will try to get even more local residents out for this popular event next year.

During October and November, Lac des Roches residents have weathered several violent windstorms. Uprooted and broken trees and several loosened tarps are reported to be the extent of the property damage detected thus far. Although power outages have been relatively rare this fall, trees down on a power line, the most common problem, has interrupted several baking projects around the neighbourhood. Neighbours are encouraged to report power outages as they can go unnoticed in a sparsely populated area such as Lac des Roches. BC Hydro offers a new automated callback service, which provides updates to callers who have registered their number during an incident. In addition to sending out a recorded message of updated restoration status, each phone number will be dialed once the power is restored, just in case a residence has a unique power supply problem. This is particularly useful to several residents who have an automatic generator which ensure uninterrupted power as they switch back over to restored power. To report a non-emergency power outage, call 1-888-769-3766.

Critter sightings

With the absence of summer boating traffic on Lac des Roches, several otters have reappeared from the more remote locations around the lake. A pair of playful otters was observed in October swimming in the bay and rolling on a dock near McCarthy Road. The otters are usually easy to spot during the winter months with their dark coats contrasted against the white of the snow and ice on the lake. Many residents claim they haven’t seen otters on the lake although their slide tracks in the snow around the shores are unmistakable evidence of their movement during the winter.

Wolves

Large numbers of wolf tracks spotted last week in the hills north of Lac des Roches explains the scarcity of deer and moose in the area during the current hunting season. Wolves and ungulates rarely share an area and it is quite typical for the presence of several wolves to drive the moose and deer to find more peaceful and less threatening wintering grounds. In past years, wolf packs and paired wolves were a relatively common site on the frozen lake and around the residences. Thankfully, bear bells and loud talking will often push these curious canines back to the forest.

Highway lines

A note of sincere appreciation is sent out to the folks in charge of Highway 24, in both jurisdictions near Lac des Roches. The freshly painted yellow centreline and white sidelines are a welcome safety improvement, especially as they days get shorter and foggy mornings are imminent.

The Boultbee Road horseshoe tournament on the Thanksgiving weekend was a success with 20 two-person teams competing, and just as many spectators. The beautiful fall weather was warm enough for tossing shoes with bare hands and yet cool enough to enjoy warming them at an outdoor fire. For the third consecutive time, Kelly Raby won and her lucky partner this year was Ralph Hargreaves. Congratulations to all the participants and spectators for such a fun-filled weekend with no injuries.

Talent shines

Several Lac des Roches ladies enjoyed the silk-painting course offered through the Bridge Lake Community School Society on Oct. 17. After two hours, even the least artistic participant created a colourful and unique silk scarf under the experienced eye of Eva Bechtel. Evening and weekend classes, where area residents share their knowledge and talents, are a great way to socialize, learn and financially support the other programs the society values in our community. Wendy Dubbin is always interested in new ideas for classes and can be reached and 593-4538.

Input sought

Lac des Roches residents are encouraged to respond to the Ministry of Forests and Range’s request for public input regarding future logging in the 100 Mile House Forest District. Visually sensitive areas are part of the Visual Inventory map, which will be used to guide forest management activities in the areas. This is an opportunity for individuals and groups to share their opinions. The deadline of Oct. 31 is rapidly approaching and input must be submitted in writing. For more information, contact Jeremy Webb, Recreation Resources Ltd. at 1-800-761-5737, or by e-mail at rrl-ltd@shaw.ca.

Furry felons

The number of beavers on Lac des Roches may be growing and they are definately getting more destructive. A sighting last week of six beavers at Rock Island was very rare. Usually, residents only become aware of the beavers when they discover the aftermath of their work on the lakeshore trees. Most waterfront residents will have found gnawed stumps in the riparian zone of willow, aspen and cottonwood trees as well as their severed branches, a future meal for the furry critters, floating in the shallow water. One morning this fall, a Boultbee Road resident was shocked to find her most prized Saskatoon Berry bush gone. It was taken in the night by a busy and brazen beaver. Only fine-meshed chicken wire, wrapped around the base of the shoreline trees will deter these toothy terrors. However, they will likely just move further down the shore. Then they will likely make a meal from unprotected trees of an unsuspecting neighbour who will, in turn, unhappily find an unexpected but clearer view of the lake on their return to their property next summer.

Roaming bears

Bear activity throughout the neighbourhoods is very high as evidenced by sightings, overturned barrels and minor damage in yards. Residents must be diligent in securing garbage, compost and pet food in a way that does not invite a curious bear into their yards.

Two Lac des Roches residents had a greater adventure than originally planned for their coho salmon fishing trip when heavy rainfall swelled the Bella Coola River, washed out portions of Highway 20 and isolated them in Hagensborg. John Clarkson and Marlen Laine of Boultbee Road shortened their trip to only four hours of fishing before they found the river was too muddy and swollen to continue. They decided to go home early only to be turned back when the water on the highway was as high as the truck’s bumper. Highway 20 was their only route to drive home. They joined many visiting fishers in an attempt to stay occupied for an extra week, playing cards and helping local residents struggling with the rising water. Although power and phone lines were maintained during the worst of the storm, the drinking water supply was shut down for four days due to impurities. John said collecting rain water from gutters for domestic purposes was not a problem during the heavy rainfall. He has family in Hagensborg, so once the airport was reopened in Bella Coola and a flight could be arranged, the pair secured their vehicle and made their way back home. John said he hopes to retrieve his truck once the highway is restored in six to eight weeks and will wait until the spring to retrieve his travel trailer. John and Marlen commented on the wonderful spirit shown by the residents of these isolated communities and how they have learned over the years to help each other cope with periodic flooding.

Farewell party

Lac des Roches residents are invited to join the farewell party scheduled for nearby residents Gerardine and Borre van Doorninck of the Crooked Lake Ranch. The popular couple will be permanently relocating back to their North Vancouver residence in October. A potluck dinner is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Bridge Lake Elementary School, and all those planning to attend are asked to call Chris Lance at 250-593-0042 for an estimated head count for organization and setup. Guests will be encouraged to add their well-wishes to a memory book being created as a parting gift.

Hidden treasures

The cool damp weather is allowing the forest and fields to reveal yet another surprise before the onset of winter – a wonderful crop of mushrooms. Several residents enjoy hunting for fungi, and with the use of dozens of reference books and comparison of knowledge among themselves, they attempt to identify and name the hundreds of different specimens, usually with the hope of finding those which are both safe and tasty to eat. Wendy Dubbin of the Bridge Lake Community School Society would like to host a course for interested residents on field mushroom identification, but has yet to find a local person with sufficient knowledge to do so. If someone is out there and willing to share their expertise, Wendy would like to hear from them at 250-593-4538.

Several Lac des Roches women traded their walking poles for halter reins when they ventured out on a trail ride at nearby Crystal Waters Guest Ranch on a beautiful fall day. Led by Luke, their knowledgeable and entertaining guide, the horses were well behaved and perfectly suited to the varied skill levels of their riders: Shelley Lambert, Maureen Stannus, Rena Todd and this writer.

Rest stop improvements

New barriers at the McDonald rest stop, overlooking Lac des Roches, are big news in a little community. Interior Roads Ltd. employees were busy setting the heavy concrete pieces in place earlier this month, and it’s a considerable improvement to this popular lookout. The barriers will keep vehicles off adjacent private property while providing a handy seat for the thousands of travellers who stop to enjoy the pristine view of the lake and Crown land beyond.

Bear sighting

"Biggest, fattest, blackest, most beautiful bear I have ever seen". That was how two neighbours described their separate sightings of what had to be the same black bear, a few miles apart. The first sighting was in Wendy Marshall’s driveway, from the safety of her vehicle, near Access 7. The second sighting was six days later, a few kilometers up the Wavey Lake Forest Service Road. Be aware, the bears are still out there.

Frolicking foxes

The pair of relatively tame red foxes has been entertaining residents every day for weeks with their playful antics and inquisitive gestures. Reported sightings span the east end of Boultbee Road to Access 7. Although these animals are not exhibiting aggressive behavior even toward the cats and dogs along the road, they are wild and should be treated accordingly.

Public input

The deadline for public input on the application for acquisition of waterfront Crown land on Muddy Lake is Oct. 8. All information for application file number 5407566 can be found through an advanced search on http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/indes.jsp.

Sharing passions

Several Lac des Roches residents regularly share their skills and knowledge with the community by hosting instruction sessions for the Bridge Lake Community School Society. Several newer residents have agreed to donate their time and offer some different courses this fall. Residents are encouraged to consider attending the following sessions; crocheted slippers on Oct. 6; silk painting on Oct. 17; and thought field therapy (tapping) on Oct. 24. Call Wendy Dubbin for course details and registration at 250-593-4538.

Horseshoe toss

Many Lac des Roches residents will make their last trip to the lake this year for the upcoming 22nd annual Thanksgiving weekend horseshoe tournament on Boultbee Road. The event is open to all road residents regardless of ability but there is a limit to total number of players. Reports indicate that spectators usually have just as much fun as the players. Call Sharron at 250-593-0041 for contact information of the organizers.

Best wishes

Happy anniversary to my walking pal Elsie Clarkson and her husband, John, celebrating 49 years together on Sept. 30.

Lac des Roches and Birch Lake are the sites of some planned active logging for about a month this fall. Jack Darney of Tolko has advised the company has been granted a licence in the 100 Mile House Forest District to harvest "dead and dying timber aong public corridors. " The six cut blocks along Highway 24 are defined as clear-cut logging, but the use of a feller buncher will allow the crew to leave standing, large-diameter fir and a portion of aspen and other deciduous trees, as well as the required percentage of "wildlife tree patch" timber amid the blocks. Darney said this should have a similar appearance to the logging conducted along the south side of the highway last year, in the vicinity of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) border. Birch Lake residents have estimated one of the cutting boundaries will end about 400 metres north of their cabins, which could reduce the natural sound buffer the existing trees provide from Highway 24. A map showing the planned cutting areas has been posted on the Friends of Lac des Roches website at www.lacdesroches.org. /news.

Book exchange

A dozen Lac des Roches ladies were busy Sept. 5, exchanging books, stories and baked goodies. The drizzly cool morning was ideal weather for an indoor book bee and tea party. Several ladies had boxes of books to discard that were unpacked, displayed on tables and shelves and free for the taking by the many readers in our community. Since most of the books would not be defined as current publications and, therefore, undesirable for the local library, the remaining six boxes of were donated to an upcoming fundraising book sale, organized by one of the residents. What a great way to recycle books, get to know the neighbours, share some delicious home-baked goodies and give back to the community. This will, no doubt, be the first of many book exchanges.

Fawn cries

Thank goodness residents were nearby when a fawn recently got stuck under a driveway gate along Boultbee Road. In mid-August, neighbours were chatting in their yards when there was a loud crying and clanging noise. One of the residents, an 82-year-old avid deer hunter, recognized the cry as that of a fawn in distress. Responding to the need, his next-door neighbour was able to nudge the panicked fawn all the way under the gate, and then it ran to the waiting doe. Obviously, when you live on the edge of the wilderness, neighbourhood watch means watching out for animals, too.

Subdivision growth

There was a relatively small and quiet Lac des Roches contingent attending the Cariboo Rainbow Estates public hearing on Aug. 31 at the Interlakes Community Hall. Those who did attend raised concerns about the impact additional lot owners would have on the lake. Judging by the number of letters on file and those in attendance at the public hearing, the support for the application clearly outweighed the opposition. The information session on the following night about the subdivision proposal on the north shores of Webb Lake attracted even fewer Lac des Roches attendants. Webb Lake is a shallow, meandering lake south of the Bridge Lake business route that passes the school and store, about 10 kilometres west of Lac des Roches. Judging by the questions from the floor and the sounds from the attendants, there appeared to be support for the developer to proceed with his application.

Lac des Roches ladies of Boultbee Road held a retirement tea for Marguerite Neill on Aug. 23. To accommodate their honoured guest, the "travelling tea party" arrived at Marg’s home mid-morning, complete with tea, coffee, condiments, mugs and Elsie Clarkson’s famous coconut cake. The morning was filled with stories about Marg and Tony’s years at the lake, and in particular, the generous dinner Marg hosted for years for anyone on the road during the August long weekend. Marg has been an inspiration to many of her neighbours by her tireless contribution to her family business and to the community over the years. She admitted the long hours of driving between Lac des Roches and 100 Mile House would definitely not be missed, as there were just too many close calls with other vehicles and wildlife. She and many of the women reminisced about the earlier days of living on the lake without power, water or television, and the many ways the adults helped each other out, especially during cabin construction, and how all of their children managed to safely entertain themselves while living near water and wilderness. Eventually, it was time for the women to gather up the empty thermoses, used mugs and cake crumbs and leave the Neill household more or less how they found it. While it was a great excuse for a party, we all couldn’t be happier for the Neills and their new retirement status.

Connections

High-speed Internet service is imminent for Lac des Roches residents. The location is prepared and awaiting delivery of the tower. Whether full-time or seasonal service is desired, installation requires residential on-site setup. Residents who will be out of the area during the fall and winter months may wish to make access arrangements prior to leaving the area by calling BC Wireless at 250-395-4397.

Gang entertains

Lac des Roches boasts residents with a variety of talents and the James Gang, which performed for an appreciative audience at the Bridge Lake Fair, is another example of the type of artists and entertainers that come from the area. Prairie James, Steve James and Ed Salos, the well-known trio that make up the James Gang, have been entertaining in the South Cariboo for seven years. Their various songs and styles have allowed them to offer their services to weddings, community events, club dances and private backyard parties.

Green gardens

The summer weather we have been enjoying in late August is helping the area gardens finally produce some amazing vegetables. Not to be outdone by some of the impressive produce displayed at the Bridge Lake Fair, local gardeners are boasting late but plentiful root crops, zucchini, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, green beans and my personal favourite, kohlrabi. With freezing temperatures in the not-so-distant forecast, it is going to be a nightly guessing game as to when to harvest crops before the first deadly frost hits.

Berries so so

Saskatoons, raspberries and huckleberries are just passing their prime for picking. Thimble berries are now ripening sporadically. It seems there is no predictability with the berry bushes this year. Bushes side-by-side that may have both produced pounds of berries last year may have next to nothing to harvest on one or even both this year. Good luck to all that are able to find a healthy patch for picking and be mindful of the bears that are everywhere, looking for the same elusive berries this year.

Quiet meeting

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake annual general meeting was a relatively quick and quiet Aug. 25. All executive positions up for re-election were filled by the existing incumbents by acclamation, as no new names were brought forward. A member’s update, which will include meeting business, will be posted on the website, www.lacdesroches.org, at the end of September.

Several residents pointed out that while the tale in my previous column about the black bear chasing the deer through a local yard is quite incredible, it makes perfectly good sense. It is true the local black bear’s diet consists mostly of readily available berries and assorted vegetation; they will also hunt and eat insects, rodents, small mammals and even deer. Everyone did agree, however, on the key point, it is not advisable to run from a bear, as it will likely incite a chase.

Bocce ball

Summer fun continues around Lac des Roches. This year’s annual bocce ball tournament on Gerald Crescent attracted 20 local participants who enjoyed good exercise, friendly competition and excellent weather. Next year, the tournament will return to its normal size, with an expected 80 local and distant friends joining in on the fun.

Star gazing

Shorter days and warm temperatures make August evenings ideal for star gazing around Lac des Roches. Even the odd yard light doesn’t negatively affect the fantastic experience of watching satellites and meteors travelling among the stars and planets that dot the clear dark skies over the lake. Early August is particularly eventful when the Perseids meteor shower puts on its “meteor-a-minute” show, especially for friends visiting from areas where backlit city streetlights and neon signs obliterate the dark viewing screen above. For those who may have missed the fantastic shows on Aug. 12-13, the show will repeat next year, but any clear night will reward a gazer with some activity. Enjoy the night skies.

Fishing still hot

Some residents lament that the fishing at Lac des Roches slows down in August, but many fishers are reporting great success, proving that this is one of the best years we have experienced in decades.

Recycling strategy

Residents are reminded that if they are willing to donate their refundable beverage containers to charity, this can only be ensured if containers are placed in the blue community recycling box at Bridge Lake Store, or at several other red and blue bins located along Highway 24. Often, bottles and cans left at the dump or transfer stations will simply be thrown into the garbage by a well-meaning user or the container driver. The Knights of Columbus collect the refundable containers regularly and contribute funds into several community health needs in the 100 Mile House area.

Volunteers thanked

Several Lac des Roches residents have been observed working alongside their fellow Interlakes neighbours, donating their time to several community events and initiatives. A thank-you message doesn’t seem like enough, but a mention here that the efforts of past and current volunteers who give so much of their time to the community, should serve as a reminder of our sincere appreciation of their efforts and hats off to them all.

Logging resumes

Active logging is underway on the nearby Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road and loaded logging trucks, work trucks and heavy equipment haulers are frequenting the dusty road. The relatively narrow and windy road can be hazardous, especially to those using the many approaches to side roads and trails that head off of the main road. Hikers, cyclists and riders should exercise extreme caution when sharing the road with these trucks.

Friends meet

Friends of Lac des Roches will host its annual general meeting on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Bridge Lake Community School.