Author: lacdesroches

A logging contractor is now actively working along the Eakin Creek corridor, also known as “the old highway” to Little Fort. The targeted trees are those that have been affected by beetle and pose a danger to the public by falling on the the road. Although the road is not closed, the tree falling activity and the equipment moving on this narrow winding road will cause delays for traffic. Now is not the best time to be taking a leisurely drive down the old highway however it is likely that the contractor is not working on the weekends. As previously mentioned, active logging up the Wavey Lake Road occurs Monday through Friday, but equipment is moved and maintained on the weekends so there can be high volumes of industrial traffic any time. Fall logging and hunting in the area will keep the roads busy for a while yet so do take care venturing out on our nearby backroads.

In the last few weeks, there have been few days where the wind has not been howling from the east. Several trees have snapped off or uprooted causing minor structure damage all around the lake. Many trees are leaning and will soon go down. Take care walking in the woods! The warm temperatures brought by the wind are extending the summer work well into Fall.  Several residents have been successfully working on outdoor painting projects that would otherwise have been left for next spring. Although windy conditions are not ideal for fall burning, there has obviously been some logging slash burning in the area, evidenced by heavy smoke on Oct. 29, one of the few calm days this month. Hopefully the snow will hold off long enough to allow residents to clean up and burn the many scattered branches and trees in yards, the unsightly aftermath of these strong winds.

Although there are several elusive white-tailed deer moving about the neighbourhood, (does only), there is certainly a notable lack of wildlife to get excited about. So much so that evidence of cattle at large on Boultbee Road and in some yards became the subject of talk about wildlife recently. Other than the odd rabbit, too fast to catch capture in a picture, this Garter snake, taking a break as it crossed Boultbee Road, was reason enough to stop for a picture.

A stretch of constant wind has stirred up the lake. Gusts have many trees doing “the hula thing”, a circular spin which makes them totally unpredictable should they snap off, an all-to-common occurrence. The winds are relatively warm but strong enough to keep most people off the lake.

Thanksgiving weekend brings out Boultbee’s best ringers as the residents and guests enjoy the annual horseshoe tournament.  The weather was great this year and once again, the organizers did a terrific job.  Several long term residents entered the tournament for their first time, and from all accounts, they are hooked on the sport. Congratulations to Dale Yeager and Dan Veldhuis, the winning team for 2014.

Residents have noted a steady stream of hunters cruising our local roads using on and off-road vehicles . It is hard to believe that while we are surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness crown land, a populated residential neighbourhood would look attractive to an outdoorsman in search of elusive deer. Perhaps it is a very good thing that very few sightings of mule or white-tail deer have been reported in local yards. On that note, local wildlife sightings seem to be very low this year although the otters have been entertaining waterfront property owners throughout this Fall.

Since it is time winterize and protect personal property, many residents will be looking for storage locations along the shore for boats and docks from the shifting spring ice which can be so destructive. A plea goes out to residents to be mindful of the winter use of public accesses for recreation, emergency and commercial use. Access to the lake is an essential part of living – and surviving – the winter on Lac des Roches. The lake can get heavy use for snowmobiling and ice fishing. Users from out of the area will trespass on private property to gain access to their popular spots on the lake if public access is barred by docks and boats. Water may be needed for fire suppression, particularly when absent cabin owners have shut down their water supply for the winter, and there is plenty of water under the ice to accommodate pumping equipment so long as they can get to the source. A local contractor uses the winter conditions to remove danger tree along the shore running several pieces of equipment on the ice, as close to the source as possible. Please keep the accesses clear.

A dozen Boultbee Road neighbours – including canines – donned their pink hats, bandanas, shirts and balloons to show their solidarity on Oct.5, for the popular “run for the cure” which is a nation-wide campaign sponsored by CIBC for breast cancer research and care. In honour of a resident and our dear friend recently diagnosed with the disease, the walking group and several absent residents contributed $265 toward the Edmonton fundraising campaign, where our walking pal is receiving her treatment. The fundraising group included a breast cancer survivor of 40 years so there are many happy endings to this serious disease. Thank you team!

 

 

Since noon on September 30, open burning has been permitted for yard clean-up in the Cariboo district.  Rules still apply to size and control which can be found on the website, bcwildfire.ca. Other than the sporadic downpours in September, the rain has continued to bypass the area however heavy dew and even frost (just last night) moistens the ground and wooden structures to provide some protection for early-morning burning. This is often the only time of the day where we can count on little or no wind as well.