Author: lacdesroches

Since the beginning of February, we were informed by the antics of a groundhog that we should expect six more weeks of winter. Out here, up on the edge of the Cariboo plateau, you just have to look around the lake and see that winter is definitely going to be around for a while yet. The strong winds and snow we’ve had during February formed snow dunes that exceeded two feet high on the ice. Unlike last year, when the early winter snow was swept off the ice by the winter winds, the snow on the ice, which came a bit later this year, is much too deep for walking or skiing. Even the snowmobile tracks on the ice are filled with loose snow, making for slow walking, albeit a great workout for the leg muscles.

Snowmobiling

The conditions on the lake and in the local hills have made for some great sledding for the area residents. Although cut blocks in the hills were spotted with stumps most of the winter, the snow in February has provided fresh powder on the trails every week. Many residents enjoyed the Bushwacker Club’s Poker Run Feb 9. These family outings are a great way to meet other sledders who live in the area. The area sledders deserve a pat on the back for the respect they have shown this year for private property. With the abundance of snow on the lake, and the hundreds of miles of trails nearby, there is no need for sledders to travel on the roads or fields around the neighbourhood. Where land owners have granted permission to local sledders to cross their land in order to access recreation trails, it is expected that users will keep the access trail to a single file path and not churn up the snow down to the grass and dirt. The continued courtesy exercised on private land will go a long way to maintain access for all sledders for years to come.

Animal tales

One night last fall, in response to our dog’s persistent barking, we pointed a powerful spotlight down towards the lake. To our surprise, five sets of eyes looked back at us, from either deer or coyotes. As we moved the light around the yard, we saw several more sets of eyes looking back at us. I was amazed at the amount of wildlife that pass by our house in the cover of darkness, not to mention the ones we see during the day. If, like me, you thought the many critters leave for the winter, this is certainly not the case. Although I have only seen a few wild animals this winter, the tracks I see on the snow tell me that our fields are abundant with some very active wildlife. I see evidence of the critters and can often get an idea of what they are up to by their tracks. For instance, the coyote that uses the path I keep shoveled for walking my dog often stops and digs for mice and moles in the grass, under the snow. The mice pop up through little round holes, hop across the snow then burrow back below the snow. I have no idea why, but I do know the odd one becomes food for a large bird, which leaves its wing marks in the snow where the mouse tracks abruptly end. The rabbit has a well-worn run under each piece of equipment in the yard where he finds a nice bare patch of grass to nibble on. The otter has left his telltale slide marks along the shoreline leading to his den, evidenced by the frost around the air vent and the fish fins on the snow. And finally there’s the moose that is munching the ends off of all the bushes in the yard, including my Saskatoons and has found a nice peaceful sleeping area close to the ice, as evidenced by the huge indentations in the snow, the size of a small car.

A quiet winter

Winter is a relatively quiet time for the Friends of the Lac des Roches and Birch Lake. However, the executive members are working on a land use proposal to the boards of the Cariboo and Thompson- Nicola Regional Districts for incorporation into the Official Community Plans that cover the watershed.

The windstorm that arrived late afternoon on Jan. 14, as predicted by TheWeatherman.ca, was an astounding sight. The cold front and its accompanying snow was literally a wall of snow that rapidly moved down the lake, cloaking everything in a cloud of white. I was glad to hear that our neighbours had already returned from their day of sledding. I had just come in from a walk out to Rock Island and would have had difficulty finding my way home in the blizzard that engulfed the entire valley. More often than not, a strong northern wind such as this, will take down trees along the lake and a few were lost in this storm, but luckily only minor damage was reported. As I write this column on a more typical sunny Cariboo winter day, I am content. Regardless of the temperature, a sunny winter day cannot be beat for keeping away Cariboo cabin fever!

Something’s fishy

Ice fishing on Cariboo lakes can be a fun winter activity, especially during good weather. It is disturbing to hear that the local conservation officers have found fishers on the local lakes breaking several laws, particularly those which prohibit setlines (unattended lines) and the use of illegal bait. Setlines were banned in most regions throughout the province years ago as the privilege was being abused through neglected or abandoned lines causing harm to wildlife, domestic animals and humans. I still find abandoned lines on the ice in late winter, when the snow melts from the top of the ice. The use of illegal bait is a particularly troubling problem as it introduces foreign fish and fish diseases into a water body that may not have any natural defenses, putting the entire fishery at risk. According to the fishing synopsis, offences fall under two jurisdictions. License infractions are covered under the Provincial Wildlife Act. Infractions around method of fishing fall under the Federal Fisheries Act, which can result in seizure of equipment, a hefty $100,000 fine, up to 12 months in prison, or all three! For more information on ice fishing, see the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulation at www.bcfishingregs.com. To report suspicious ice fishing activity on any lake, call the Conservation Hotline 1-877-952-7277.

Rural watching

The neighbourhood is a little brighter with the addition of yellow Rural Crime Watch (RCW) signs that have been erected on our streets, indicating that many of the area residents are supporting the RCW organization. Although there continues to be an informal and comprehensive network of neighbours watching out for neighbours in our community, those who are now members of RCW will be able to further assist the formal program. As reported in the Free Press, Jan 16, RCW has expanded into a province-wide crime-watching network and local residents are proud to provide their input.

A white cross was placed on a tree across from Gerald Crescent this fall. I was saddened to learn that it was a memorial to Jessy, a perpetual puppy Shepard Cross dog, who was part of the James family for eight years. Jessy was killed instantly by a car traveling along Highway 24 on the night of Oct. 19 after she was enticed from her yard by a group of coyotes eating garbage found on the side of the highway. Although Jessy will be missed by her family, especially her American Eskimo pal, Aysu, the James family has welcomed a new Shepard-cross puppy, Keta, to help fill the void. Three white crosses near Boultbee Road, appeared shortly after a non-fatal motorcycle accident in 2005. This corner is dangerous if drivers exceed the speed limit or drive without due care and attention. Hopefully all the white crosses will remind drivers to be extra cautious along Highway 24.

Sleds not welcome

Heli-logging, north of the 201 Road, on the Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road (WLFSR) has begun. Two salvage-cut blocks may also be logged this winter. The Forest Service Road Use Regulation states: "A person must not operate a snowmobile on a forest service road if it appears that the road has been snowplowed, or that the road is otherwise fit for travel by motor vehicles other than snowmobiles. " This regulation is intended to preserve the plowed road for the industrial users and maintain a level of safety on an active road. This means that if there are plowed portions of WLFSR being used for logging, they should not be used for sledding. The many side roads and trails that lead off from the road are where sledders should go and play, for the safety of the loggers and sledders and to avoid a possible $58 fine.

Illegal dumping

Incidences of illegal dumping of wood waste on the Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road have prompted local residents to work with the Ministry of Forests to keep a lookout for the offenders. In the fall, the ministry made several attempts to burn the waste, but unsuccessfully due to the amount of dirt left on the stumps. There is a special wood waste site at the Interlakes Refuse Site, 15 minutes away, the appropriate place to dump wood waste. Alternatively, residents are encouraged to burn their waste wood on their own property providing it is safe to do so and the necessary permit is obtained.

A Feast!

What a great time I had at the Bridge Lake Elementary School’s Christmas concert on Dec 19. Congratulations to the Bridge Lake Community School for a fabulous turkey and ham dinner. It was so delicious that I was on the phone the next day to co-ordinator, Wendy Dubbin, for recipes. Although there are only a handful of school-aged children from Lac des Roches, they each did a wonderful job in their roles in the concert. I encourage neighbours to include this event in their Christmas celebrations every year for an entertaining and tasty evening.

Fire Truck has new Home

As reported by Diana Forester for Bridge Lake/Interlakes, Leroy and Kerry Wright are providing a much-needed temporary home for the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department fire truck at the Bridge Lake Store. Since this is across the street from the old fire hall, Lac des Roches’s fire protection will be status quo. Thank you to the Wright’s!

Not alone

In December, I met some of the other community columnists, thanks to Free Press publisher Chris Nickless. I left our luncheon knowing there are other like-minded contributors in the Cariboo. Without telling specifics, we could easily fill a newspaper edition with our stories – mostly the ones where we laugh at ourselves – and that was from only a two-hour sitting! We all share an interest in neighbouring communities. For this reason, I would like to remind readers that any information about people or events – even those in surrounding areas – are of interest to a columnist, and will be passed along to one of us for follow-up.

The 10th Annual Bridge Lake Christmas Bird count will be on December 29. Please call Wendy Marshall for details at 593-2327 the night before, if you are going to attend. This all-day event begins at 8:30 a.m. The count begins at Lac des Roches. Newcomers are welcome. The information collected from our area will be submitted to Bird Studies Canada, as part of an international count. For more information go to the website www.bsc-eoc.org. Marshall mentioned that in mid-December, the Great Gray owls were observed. She says to watch for them on fence posts and power poles.

Walk softly

The big lake finally iced over on Dec. 8, which is a week later than last year. Although sleds and ice fishers have been out on Little Lac des Roches since mid-December, extreme caution is recommended on the big lake. The ice may be very thin in spots. I check the thickness of the ice by poking holes with a small crowbar as I walk in areas for the first time every year.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all the residents of Lac des Roches and the surrounding Interlakes Community who provide so much life and laughter that I can easily fill a newspaper column every month. Without your stories and our casual chats, I would continually write about my adventures, living out here on the edge, with Al, Cali and Scooter – oh, I guess I do that anyways! Thanks to all of you who keep me up-to-date with the really newsworthy items, especially about the lake and the wildlife! Stay safe over the holidays and keep the information and inspiration coming!

The phone lines were busy on the morning of Nov. 28, when Charlie Wyse, MLA South Cariboo, delivered the news to the Executive of Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake (Friends), that the development proposal at the east end of Lac des Roches (LdR) “was dead”. Mr. Wyse has presented the issues raised by concerned citizens and visitors regarding the proposed development, to the legislature over the last three years. The Crown Land Opportunities Branch has responded, indicating that the development does not fit in with the provinces’ goals and objectives. The Friends’ executive members are pleased with this news and grateful for everyone’s involvement and support in the process.

Set for winter

We survived the power outage and subsequent telephone outage from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14. Since most waterfront properties pump their own water and sewage uphill, generators are considered by most, a necessity. The wind took its toll with dozens of downed trees in yards but no significant damage to property has been discovered. Residents are reminded that when reporting downed lines or tripped breakers to BC Hydro, the pole number will help identify the location for the restoration crew. A neighbour pointed out that the metal plate on each hydro pole includes an abbreviated version of the longitude and latitude co-ordinates of that pole. Not necessary information for BC Hydro, but interesting to know as it will give you co-ordinates that you may use for other reasons, such as reporting the location of a forest fire, as recommended in my Aug. 15, 2007 article. Most neighbours are speculating that although the hydro service has been upgraded and provides a more reliable service to our area, the abundance of dead and dying trees near power lines will contribute to power losses during our more sever wind storms in the fall and winter months. Since they are such a newsworthy topic, I wonder if its time to start naming our windstorms, like typhoons and cyclones?

Pay dues please

Residents are reminded that the voluntary fire protection renewal period was October, but is never too late to pay the annual dues. The Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department relies heavily on our annual dues since the department does not currently receive financial support from the Cariboo Regional District.

Give Me a Home

The “east” fire truck, which services the LdR area and was located in the Bridge Lake Community, is still in need of a new building in a secure area. The location of the truck and equipment will impact homeowner insurance for many residents. Any suggestions for a new home for the truck should be passed on to Doug Townsend 593 – 4665.

Birdfeeding time

Now that we have a layer of snow covering the ground and seed pods, it is time to put out the birdfeeders for our feathered friends who will stay through the winter. A mixture of songbird seed and black oil sunflower seeds will do well in our area. Our resident birding advisor, Wendy Marshall, says that hanging beef suet high off the ground in a tree near your feeders will help keep the birds warm in the colder weather by giving the birds a source of nutrients which will help them maintain a layer of fat under their skin.

Lake quality

The lake underwent extensive testing on Nov. 6 by Marg Sidney of the Ministry of Environment. Sidney indicated she was “happy with the health of the lake”. Fall turnover (when the temperature at the surface of the lake is the same as the bottom) occurred the following week. Sidney plans to return in the spring to test both Lac des Roches and Little Lac des Roches. Official “ice-on” for Little Lac des Roches was Nov. 19. As is typical for the “big lake”, as of Nov. 28, a persistent easterly wind is keeping the ice from forming even during these colder nights.

This fall, there have been several sightings of a black bear along Boultbee Road. One visitor to our neighbour’s house recently found herself trapped by a bear as she soaked in the outdoor hot tub. Despite the advise of experts, to "make yourself appear bigger" during an encounter, she didn’t feel this was very appropriate while wearing only a bathing suit. This was a very curious black bear, bold enough to walk onto the deck and inspect the barbeque and a patio door. Our neighbour followed her instincts and got as low in the tub as possible, hoping the bear wasn’t attracted to the steam from the warm water or her glass of wine, waiting for either the bear to leave or her husband to return from his fishing excursion. As luck would have it, their dog appeared first and the startled bear climbed up the nearest tree, the one that stands between the hot tub and the house. She was trapped in the tub by the bear and the bear was trapped in the tree by the dog – a classic "no win" situation. Eventually, the husband returned from fishing, and managed to help his wife out of the hot tub and escape, with the dog and the glass of wine, into the safety of the house. It took the bear about an hour to climb down the tree and return to the woods. According to the owner, the only damage was the loss of a bird feeder from the tree.

Heed signs

Private Property – No Hunting. This is the message on the new signs erected on the Cottage Country Estate Road, north of Highway 24, near the rest stop. Owners of the lots contemplated installing a locked gate on the road, but have settled on no gate at this time. The owners want the public to know that in addition to the lots being privately owned, the road is strata-titled and any repair cost from misuse comes out of their pockets. They hope the travelers on their road will heed their signs and use the road responsibly.

Busy road

There is considerable activity up the Wavey Lake Forestry Road, just north of Lac des Roches (LdR). In addition to installation of a new bridge and an entirely new road built northeast of "cow camp", beetle kill logging has begun just east of Wavey Lake. Sledders will have to use caution this winter when using the road to access snowmobile trails. There is little doubt that the logs will be hauled down Wavey Lake Road to Highway 24 and to do this in the winter means plowing the snow off the road. Although plowing is undesirable for sledding, it is the hazard of the limited width and the snow banks created on either side of the road which will require more caution from the sledders.

Fall is cleanup time

Yard cleanup is in full swing throughout the area although the heavy smoke drifting over the lake since the beginning of October is from burning logging slash piles Burning is taking place in the mountains on the east side of the North Thompson River and near the McDonald Summit on Highway 24. When it comes to backyard burning, in addition to the Ministry of Forest’s guidelines, I don’t usually light our burn pile unless it is raining or everything is covered with snow. Imagine my surprise when, in mid-October, we had snow covering everything? So, my burn pile is gone but since the snow is gone too, I am back outside, cleaning up the yard and building another burn pile, waiting for the next storm!

Friends monitor water

Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake met on Oct. 24 and although there is no change in the "under review" status of the residential development proposal at the east end of LdR, the group remains diligent on their monitoring of water quality and wildlife habitat in this sensitive watershed. The Ministry of Environment is scheduled to perform an extensive water analysis in the first week of November, as part of their program of monitoring LdR. Friends are holding a special land-use workshop on Nov. 21. All members are invited to attend. Call Bill at 593-9305 for meeting details.

I woke up the other morning to the sound of a loon. It is October and it won’t be long before all of the loons head south. Although they’ll be back in the spring, the groans and bangs of cracking ice is just not as friendly as the call of the loon on a calm night. One resident says that the first loon’s call in the spring will pull him out of a deep sleep, like an alarm, signifying that summer has returned. Although many Cariboo lakes have an "ice-off date" contest, residents at Lac des Roches have toyed with the idea of a "loon back day" contest. I guess you could say we are pretty passionate (or maybe loony) about our loons. The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake ‘Lake Monitors’ strive to promote a ‘loon friendly lake’ and have installed loon information signs and distributed loon information pamphlets to users of the lake. Although loon mortality will occur naturally through predators and natural lake level changes, humans can reduce their impact by avoiding loons and their nesting sites and reducing watercraft speeds and wake sizes near shorelines. Our loons are unknowingly part of the annual Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, which is managed by Bird Studied Canada (BSC). Wendy Marshall, a BSC supporter, says that the focus of the survey is on the survival rate of the offspring of mating loons. She reports that three loon chicks have survived this year and she is still looking for evidence of the fourth chick, which has avoided detection since July. Information about loons and the survey is available on the Internet at www.hww.ca (Search Loon) or www.bsc-eoc.org/cllsmain.html.

Access for public

The chilly autumn weather will have many residents thinking about winterizing their residences. On a windy lake like Lac des Roches, residents safeguard their docks from damage of shifting ice by pulling them up onto their shore or moving them into quieter protected bays. There are public lake accesses that have been used inappropriately for winter storage of private docks and boats over the last few years. Concerned lake users have asked me to remind all residents that public accesses should remain unobstructed throughout the entire year. In the winter, the accesses are for the enjoyment of; ice fishers; snowmobilers; cross country skiers and hockey players. In the early spring, while the ice is disappearing, anxious fishers are ready to try their luck on some very hungry trout. Stored docks and boats can inhibit their ability to access the lake. It seems we need to be reminded that public accesses in particular, were designated as such, for the benefit of those who do not own waterfront lots, not for those who do.

Lots of snow

When I read the caption under the picture of a wasp’s nest, found seven feet off of the ground, in the Sept. 28, 2007 edition of the Cariboo Connector, I thought "uh-oh". The caption read; "folklore has it that if the wasps build their nest high off the ground the winter will be long and harsh. " Well, we discovered a wasp nest in our aspen trees this summer. Not only was it larger than a basketball, it was at least 40-feet off the ground! Judging by our harsh autumn so far, maybe the wasps do know what is in store for us this winter. Perhaps we’ll get another load of firewood for that wood heater and maybe I’ll knit an extra pair of socks for inside those winter boots!

Giving thanks

Thanksgiving is just days away, and this is a good opportunity to thank all the neighbours who so readily give their time to the many community initiatives at Lac des Roches and the entire Interlakes area. As I ran down the list of neighbours, I realized everyone gives something back to the community, whether it is through the volunteer fire department, community school, community recycling program or helping a neighbour in need, to name just a few. Thanks for the giving and happy Thanksgiving to all!

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.