Category: Community Blog

Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society members hosted a discussion on lake stewardship concerns on Feb. 25. Lac des Roches is one of the few lakes in British Columbia that straddles two regional boundaries. While the lake is technically in the “Kamloops” region, the surrounding land is split between the Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola regional districts. The surrounding forested watershed, supporting active logging, is in two different forest regions – Kamloops and 100 Mile House. This meeting of so many jurisdictions in this southeast corner of the Cariboo leads to many challenges and has uncovered both contradictions and omissions of certain regulations and practices within the community, particularly with regards to land use. Some provincial regulations around lakeshore development apply only to southern portions of the province and regional districts determine their own development guidelines. Forest sensitivity designations follow arbitrary regional boundaries as opposed to the actual topography. Delegates included Bob Grace, Kamloops Ministry of Environment from Kamloops, Chris Nowotny, Williams Lake Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations, Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Area L Director Bruce Rattray, and Friends of Bridge Lake member Chris Lance. Through discussion with all those attending, the society members decided the best method to initiate an improvement to local land planning. While there were several suggestions for dealing with specific concerns and initiatives through both provincial and regional channels, the group anticipates addressing many of the general inadequacies in the planned revisions to the Official Community Plan in 2014 by the CRD.

Farewell wishes

On March 4, the Boultbee walkers took time out from their daily excursion for coffee and goodies to honour their friend and neighbour Barb St. Hilaire on her upcoming career move. Barb will be lengthening her commute substantially as she leaves her 100 Mile House sales job at Central GM to work at a much larger and more distant car dealership in Edmonton, Alta. It may be a while before husband, Don, and her pets Molly and Sammy join her there but she has the companionship of her children and grandchild to look forward to. Congratulations and best of luck to our good friend Barb who begins her new job in mid-March.

Prowling critters

Unlike most winters, there has been very little evidence of wild canine activity; however, that seems to have changed in late February. Packs of coyotes have been regularly travelling and hunting through the neighbourhood and along the lake’s shore under the cover of darkness. Tracks in the snow and dozens of uncovered mouse nests are the unmistakable evidence that these hunters are on the prowl. Several long-term residents advise caution when letting out domestic pets when coyote activity is this high as they share many stories of little pets falling prey to hungry and determined coyotes.

Animal prints

Signs of deer movement are relatively rare but moose signs and sightings are on the rise around the residences in the neighbourhood. Two moose have been spotted by both sledders and an avid snowshoer, as they pruned the trees and bushes at the east end of Boultbee Road.

Fast sleds

Life doesn’t get much better than tobogganing with my four-year-old granddaughter on a beautiful winter day. Imagine my surprise when the new molded plastic sleigh took off like a rocket on the top of our snow covered slope. If it hadn’t been for her grandpa’s quick response, our little Audrey would have soared over the snow bank and down toward the lakeshore, dotted with hundreds of unforgiving trees. They sure don’t make toboggans the way they used to – heavy and slow.

Developers of the nearby Muddy Lake subdivision have succeeded in their application to have a “no build” covenant removed from a detached common-use property located on the shore of Little Lac des Roches. As the ownership in this strata-titled development diversifies with its planned 52 lots, use and facilities erected on this narrow strip of waterfront property will be determined by the owners, within the allowable designated zone. On Feb. 8, the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) board were posed with a motion from Area L Director Bruce Rattray, who had received letters from concerned residents of Lac des Roches, to defer decision on the covenant removal pending a public information meeting proposed for this summer. Adhering to the CRD process, directors heard comments only from governing agencies and the applicant at the meeting. While a dozen silent Lac des Roches residents looked on, the directors defeated the motion. The covenant was removed without public input.

Fishy business

Several parties have left evidence on the ice of fishing success; however, they have also left garbage on the ice. Beverage cans, liquor bottles and food wrappers are just a few examples of the litter. Fishers are asked to adhere to regulations, respect the environment and keep the lake clean for the residents and visitors to enjoy. Please take your garbage with you.

Animal tracking

Fresh evidence of wildlife movement is everywhere, perhaps due to the mild weather and longer days. One wolf and a pack of coyotes have been travelling the length of the lake. Two otters crossed the lake near Taylor’s Bay, running and sliding the whole way. Moose, rabbit and grouse tracks are in every yard and several deer have been walking on Boultbee Road.

Private matters

Residents and visitors seem to need reminding that with the exception of public accesses, all residential areas around the lake are privately owned. Frozen water and deep snow, which hides natural boundaries and provides easier access to private property, does not constitute an invitation to trespass. Those few residents, who generously allow neighbours to use their yards for access to Crown land and trails, cannot be expected to, and will not, tolerate abuse of their property or privileges granted. Please respect private property – posted or not.

Skis and sleds

Cross-country skiing on the lake’s frozen surface has been relatively challenging this year. Deep and drifting snow and overflow slush are all obstacles that prevent achieving the rhythmic stride and glide that all skiers aspire to. Creating tracks in the snow can be a chore, but most skiers expect to reuse their tracks several times before they are lost to a fresh or drifted snow. Often, their well-developed tracks are destroyed by snowmobilers who likely don’t realize the impact of their meandering steering over the ski tracks. This year in particular, I must send out a thank-you to those snowmobilers who have braved the snow and slush on the lake and created frozen and hard-packed paths on the surface of the lake. Without these sled trails, Nordic skiing on most days this year would be next to impossible.

Easy route

I think readers will relate to the chuckle I get when I think about my recent visiting city friends trying out snowshoes for the first time around my property. Where they insisted in walking in the untouched snow a few feet away from my well-tread zigzag paths and filling their ankle boots with knee-deep snow, a moose that browsed the property the same weekend avoided the deep snow by using my paths and even crossing the creeks on plank bridges.

On the morning of Feb. 5, Scott MacKinnon and Jason Yates from the Kamloops Forest District office met with members of Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, the community-based lake stewardship society, to discuss planned timber sales and clear-cut salvage harvesting in the hills southeast of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake. The map indicating the location and size of cut blocks gave rise to concerns about the proximity of logging to the shallow and sensitive Tortoise Lake and the impact on the view from several residences and points around the lake, particularly from the well-used McDonald rest stop. The group also expressed concern about poor logging practices observed in the area, which they felt had negative impacts on the environment and local residents. Using computerized imaging, the forestry agents were able to project how the view would be altered from several points around the lake, and upon review of their results at the meeting, were prepared to make changes to the plan to mitigate the negative effects voiced by the group. They explained their tendering process and their logging monitoring practices and assured the society that they welcome public observations and reporting of concerns. Then, they went to a meeting with the Fishing Highway 24 Tourism Association members and area landowners. In addition to issues about environmental impact and long-term forest management, this group voiced concerns about the impact clear-cut logging has had on the commercial use of Crown forests and trails for local business income such as horse back riding. More discussions will occur; however, the timber auction and salvage harvesting will begin this year.

Property damage

Gutters ripped off of eaves, chimney stacks dislodged and broken deck railings are the results of deep snow and ice sliding off metal roofs during mild weather. One resident was struck and pushed across his driveway by falling snow from his garage roof, and although he avoided injury, his ATV storage box wasn’t so lucky. One cannot be too careful for personal and pet safety when the snow is sliding off structures.

Challenging ice

Ice conditions on Lac des Roches are still deteriorating. New, small ice holes are appearing everywhere there are springs of warmer water and the overflow of water pushed upward from the weight of the snow is getting deeper. Mild temperatures are not low enough to freeze most of the water and no amount of repetitive sledding in the slush seems to be able to firm up frozen tracks for walking or skiing. Last week, a broken down snowmobile lay abandoned for the night in the middle of the lake, bogged down in at least a foot of slush. It appears the rescuers had a much easier time of towing the sled the next morning in tracks that had become partially frozen during the night.

Winning destination

Four snowmobilers who won a Powersports All About Snow Show prize package visited Lac des Roches recently. The contest was sponsored by Port Moody’s Checkpoint Yamaha and provided the winner and three guests with two days of winter (or summer) activity and two days accommodation at Lakeside Bed and Breakfast. The winner, Christine Grout, chose winter activities and brought her husband, Paul, and friends Paul and Caroline Chambers. Checkpoint supplied snowmobiles, training and guiding and the group enjoyed a spectacular weekend, away from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland. The weather was perfect for sledding, snowshoeing and evenings in the hot tub.

There may be relatively thick ice on most of Lac des Roches, but there are natural holes, slushy areas and instances of both thin ice and no ice at all, that pose a risk to all lake users. Most of the holes are small and typically surrounded by thick ice, although this is not always the case. The many large dark patches of snow can be an indicator of water under the snow. Low water levels last year resulted in the development of beaches made up of decomposed material of the lake bed. This material does not always freeze solid and can be an unexpected hazard. Thick ice often does not form close to vegetation or partially submerged deadfalls near the shore so these should be avoided. The channel ice is very thin at both ends and showed evidence that wheels from an ATV broke through the ice in several spots in mid-January.

Cold weather training

Once again, Little Lac des Roches was the ideal location for ice training last week by dive teams from both the United States and Canada. The large tent erected on the ice protected the equipment and divers while they accessed the frigid dark water through large holes cut in the two-foot thick ice. While the consistent excellent ice condition is a major factor in choosing this location for the training, it is the full-service amenities offered by Lac des Roches Resort & Restaurant owner Luca Lanzoni that brings the teams back to our community year after year. For the safety of lake users for the remainder of the winter season, the holes are refilled with ice and snow but are marked as hazards due to the uneven surface.

Something fishy going on

The season for catching burbot (freshwater cod) is underway. Those that have tasted this mild white meat will agree that the title “poor man’s lobster” is well suited for this delicious fish. To coincide with their feeding and spawning habits, burbot are best fished at night on gravel shoals. Although we have been enjoying relatively mild temperatures, one should not underestimate how cold it can feel when idling away several hours on a frozen lake. To all the hardy ice fishers, good luck, keep warm and enjoy the serenity of this calming pastime – not to mention the unpredictable sky on a clear cold night.

Opening airways

Recent mild weather is aiding some structures to shed their deep snow. Residents have noticed several cabins where the roof vents are completely engulfed in snow. This could result in several problems for homeowners if not properly dealt with before heating the insides of the cabins, so vents and ducts should be inspected before cabin occupancy.

Road and trail traffic

Active logging north of the lake is scheduled to continue through April; therefore, traffic can be expected on Wavey Lake Road for the entire sledding season. While logging is restricted to week days, traffic on the well-plowed road can expected seven days a week. Sledders should also be cautious on trails that run close to active logging areas, as a neighbour recently witnessed a tree fall on the tracks ahead of him, pushed over by machinery working in a cut block a few dozen feet beyond the tree line bordering the trail he was on.

Wildlife sightings rare

Snow in the yards and fields around the lake reveal signs of moose, rabbits and coyotes, but other than moose crossing the highway, reports of animal sightings have been uncommonly rare this winter.

During the holidays, the ice on the big lake was reported to range between six and eight inches. Sub-zero temperatures have contributed to the thickening of the ice, which now exceeds 12 inches – much safer for the many ATV’s and snowmobiles that have been enjoying the lake this winter.

Block party

Thanks go out to Steve and Kelly Raby for hosting a wonderful New Year’s Eve party for all the neighbours. Their potluck, open house-style party gives all our age groups an opportunity to enjoy the merriment and home-baked goodies. Those able to stay up until midnight enjoyed a colourful and loud firework display. Mild weather conditions allowed residents to use all modes of transportation to and from the lakeside party, which explained the line of snowmobiles and ATV’s parked along the shore.

Ice divers

In a few days, Luca Lanzoni of the Lac des Roches Resort will once again play host to more than a dozen underwater divers from both the United States Coast Guard and the Canadian Navy, which find Little Lac des Roches ideal for their week-long winter training exercise. A large tent erected on the ice will protect the divers and their equipment from the elements, as they enter and exit the frigid waters though a large hole they will cut in the ice.

Warm woollen mittens

If you lost one of Julie Andrew’s “favourite things” on the lake, you’ll be happy to hear they were found and are now with this writer – phone to identify and collect.

Counting birds

Wendy Marshall reports the Christmas Bird Count was a tremendous success for the 11 observers. The group recorded 19 species on the count day and will add to that additional species observed for the three days on each side of the count day. A Northern Hawk Owl was “rather special” and a pleasant surprise as everyone was able to get a good look at him and confirm the identification. Data from the Interlakes area will be added to information collected from all over the world for this important wildlife initiative.

Enjoying back country

Sledding conditions on the trails to the north of Lac des Roches have improved considerably since the Christmas holidays. Trail and cut blocks are now blanketed with several metres of snow. Sledders can expect to find trees that require some cutting on the wooded routes, as dead pines continue to come down from snow and wind. Cow Camp is proving to be a very pleasant warming hut and thanks go out to all those who are keeping it clean and aiding with the apparent eradication of pack rats.

Rural watch

Reports of theft and vandalism at Bridge Lake have local residents taking note of all unfamiliar vehicular traffic and different activity throughout the Lac des Roches neighbourhoods. With increased diligence and reporting anything suspicious, we should be able to keep our area safe and secure.

Think safety

Fast travelling news of overdue sledders in early January was a startling reminder of how care must be taken to communicate excursion plans and to be prepared for incidents on the trail. With improved cellular coverage in the area, it is hoped back-country users will now take their phones with them for safety reasons.

Sparse sightings

A pair of coyotes hunting near Rock Island gave some visitors a bit of a show during the holidays, but otherwise, only fresh coyote and deer tracks have been noted. If they are moving during the day, otters will be easy to spot against the white ice and snow.

Knee-deep powder snow being enjoyed around the lake has transitioned outdoor work to winter play. Snow shoes and skis are enjoyable ways to get around the neighbourhood and a necessary accessory even on the secondary roads, between snow plow runs. The deep snow is acting as an insulator on the thin lake ice and holes, under the snow, are developing above the many underwater springs that feed Lac des Roches. Residents are urged to stay clear of the lake until they have checked for both adequate thickness and the absence of holes.

Astounding fire tale

One neighbour shared this story about the hazard of oven mitts. Last month, at her home in Kamloops, our neighbour removed a hot pan from her oven using oven mitts with the very common “metallic look” fabric. She placed the dish on the counter, removed her mitts, put them together and placed them in the drawer next to her oven. Over the next 45 minutes, the smell and eventual build up of smoke in her house resulted in a response from the fire department. Evidently, the 400 F heat from the hot pan transferred within seconds to the mitts and was further insulated by the mitts being placed together in the drawer. The heated mitts started to melt and smoulder and eventually a wooden spoon in the drawer started to smoulder. The fire chief indicated this is a known hazard and often the cause of house fires. He recommended never storing oven mitts right away but to let them cool in the air first. Most of the ladies were astounded by this story and all agreed to review and revise their procedures using oven mitts.

Birding reminder

The Christmas Bird Count is on for tomorrow (Jan. 3). Residents and their guests may join this significant event. Call Wendy at 250-593-2327 for more information.

Hazardous trees

Wind and heavy snow have taken their toll on many trees in the neighbourhood since mid-December. Several residents have witnessed even the healthiest looking trees crashing to the ground in the severe wind gusts and often hitting power lines and telephone cables in their path. Be sure to take care out there.

Cariboo winter gym

Many residents use the start of a new calendar year as an opportunity to make New Year’s resolutions – more exercise being a common theme. Although we are relatively remote from organized facilities, there are many ways to get more active by considering manual alternatives in our own back yards. While weather and personal fitness levels will dictate the appropriate level of intensity, here are several suggestions. Carry firewood from the woodshed to the stove, one or a few pieces at a time. Shovel all or a portion of the driveway or walk paths by hand rather than with motorized units. Snowshoe with trekking poles along walk paths to pack down new snow is an alternative to shovelling and is great for exercising the whole body and encouraging healthy deep breathing. Walking short distances rather than driving has its obvious benefits and is further enhanced by the use of walking poles to increase the level of exercise and safety with the added bonus of fresh air. Using a manual auger to drill holes in the ice for checking ice depths or ice fishing can be an intense workout for even the most fit residents and makes the hours of sitting idly on the ice, anticipating the possible catch of a trout or burbot, well worth the effort.

Sampling Christmas baking and testing a new brewer was reason enough for all the ladies on Boultbee Road to enjoy a coffee party on Dec. 10. It happened to be the day snow started falling at 8 a.m. and continued all day until six inches of snow blanketed everything outdoors. After their noon walk on the road, the ladies happily labelled it “an inside day” and enjoyed their beverages and goodies.

Friends gathered

Thirteen members of the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society attended the annual general meeting Dec. 9. A summarization of the meeting and other community information will be posted on the group’s website at www.lacdesroches.org.

Festive spirits live here

Several residents have adorned their homes and yards with dazzling displays of decorative lights, giving the neighbourhood a wonderful festive feel going into the holiday season. Christmas decorations on a small evergreen tree, growing on the side of Highway 24 near the Wavey Lake turnoff has caught the eye of many residents. The anonymous decorators have certainly caused many drivers’ heads to turn and emit a chuckle at this surprising show of Christmas spirit on the edge of the wilderness.

Improved communication

It has been several years since a notice appeared in the 100 Mile House Free Press, indicating TELUS would be providing cellular phone service to the area. Until now, an adequate signal near the lake has been sporadic or non-existent. On Nov. 30, a communication tower was erected on the mountain north of the McDonald rest stop. Workers confirmed that connecting and testing take about two weeks before the tower is functioning. Evidently, newer technology may make some older phones obsolete, but residents seem quite willing to invest in newer phones in order to take advantage of this new service.

Share the road

The Wavey Lake Forest Service Road is a busy place and will continue to be so during the snowmobiling season. Sledders accessing trails can expect encounters with logging trucks during the week and possibly snow plows on the weekends on the 10 kilometres, from Highway 24 to the 205 or Meridian Lake Road.

Logging input sought

Local organizations have been notified by the Kamloops Forest District office that new logging southeast of Lac des Roches is slated for the years 2013/14. Property owners are invited to submit written input into the plan by Dec. 31. Contact the writer for more details.

Ice is dicey

Ice may have formed on Little Lac des Roches in late November, but the big lake is a lot slower to develop solid ice this year. Mild temperatures and wind account for thin or lack of ice around the lake. Heavy snowfall on Dec. 10 and 11 has the effect of insulating the thin ice and pushing water up through holes. Thin ice and a slushy layer on top is definitely not ideal ice conditions for safe winter play, so extreme caution must be exercised for a while yet.

Birders contribute

The 113th Christmas Bird Count for our area is schedule for Jan. 3 and is a great way to spend a winter’s day with family and friends. Bird activity is a known indicator of environmental threats and the data collected by volunteers throughout the world is used extensively for wildlife management of all species. Call Wendy at 250-593-2327 if you are interested in participating.

Christmas cheer

To all the residents and readers interested in our little corner of the South Cariboo, I wish you a very happy Christmas, a safe holiday and a prosperous and healthy new year.

The Bridge Lake Appliqué Club, or the "Knotty Ladies," has undergone some changes and now rotate their monthly meetings among the members’ homes. Lac des Roches’ Marg Neill hosted the November get-together where these avid sewers enjoyed their bag lunches and worked on their individual projects for a few hours. The ladies were eager to share their ideas, experience and suggestions to new members and invited guests. The variety of techniques and project ideas give the application of this craft, endless possibilities – not to mention – the fun of getting together with so many like-minded crafters.

Boultbee bragging rights

A rule followed by the Boultbee Road walkers is each of the ladies have unlimited bragging rights about their children and grandchildren. Elsie Clarkson has no shortage of stories to share of her seven talented grandchildren when she walks. As the football season comes to a close, Elsie is proud to talk about grandson, Tommy Clarkson, who is following the footsteps of his dad, retired B.C. Lion’s football player Larry Clarkson, with a promising football career of his own. Now studying at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas on a sports scholarship, Tommy’s team’s first significant away game this season was in Hawaii during the Thanksgiving weekend. His younger brother, Mathew, plays football with the École Mission Secondary School team, which has earned a spot in this season’s final playoff, scheduled for December.

Sledders will be warm

The Bridge Lake Bushwhackers Snowmobile Club has been dissolved and the clubhouse and warming shack, previously positioned on the Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road near Cow Camp, has been sold to a buyer out of the area. Many local residents belonged to this club for several years and routinely joined in on the organized trail rides and certainly enjoyed the comforts of the warming hut on many sledding excursions in the hills around Lac des Roches. Several residents have now prepared Cow Camp for use as an alternate warming hut for the upcoming sledding season. Although the camp has suffered vandalism over the years, it is hoped that sledders will respect the log cabin and equipment as well as they did the old clubhouse over the years and that the camp is useful and inviting to all sledders for this season and many to come.

Friends meet

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake will host its annual general meeting at the Lac des Roches Resort restaurant on Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. Anyone can attend this public meeting, but only current members are eligible to vote on society matters, including filling several expired executive positions. Membership to the society can be acquired through the group’s website www.lacdesroches.org or this writer.

Wolves close by

A resident hiking behind the cabins on McCarthy Road discovered a gathering spot used recently by several wolves. The location was likely the source of the howling heard earlier this fall, thought to have come from the north side of Highway 24; however, the wolves were obviously a lot closer.

Sparse wildlife

Swans, ducks, eagles and kingfishers are still observed around the ice-free lake. Coyote, fox and deer tracks have been noticed since the snow started falling in mid-November and the bears seem to have left for the winter.

Winter’s reprieve

Dry days and bare yards are proving to be an opportunity for many residents to catch up on overdue outside work and jump start next year’s yard work. Local burning combined with slash burning in surrounding hills accounts for some smoky days and colourful sunsets.

Discussions among Lac des Roches residents are centred on preparing for the short, dark and cold days of winter. Some wise suggestions mentioned by several neighbours, worth repeating, may be helpful to other Cariboo residents.

Eliminate slips and falls

Our sloped terrain means most yards pose a high risk of slips and falls in winter. Most residents have several pairs of boots with different sole rubber compounds for changing weather conditions throughout the winter. Slip on shoes and sneakers with little or no tread should be stored away to avoid accidental use. Ice grippers, which are easily pulled onto and removed from boots, seem to be the safest way to prevent slips and falls outdoors. Several residents keep a spare pair of grippers in their vehicles for icy conditions encountered away from home.

Pets bring hazards

Winter brings several challenges for pet owners. Pebbles and ice balls brought into the house on the paws of cats and dogs can be a hazard to family members. Confining pets for a few minutes in a mud room or foyer covered with absorbent mats will eliminate the problem.

Keep pets comfortable

Some pets will be bothered by ice build-up between the pads of their feet, but trimming long hairs between animal’s toes will lessen and possibly eliminate their discomfort. Simple fleece booties will prevent ice build-up, but some pets struggle with wearing protective footwear.

Prepare for darkness

One resident finds his evening dog walks are done in complete darkness and reminds owners they should know the colour of their pet’s eyes when reflected by a flashlight. He recalls his experience of calling his dog in the dark and talking to the bright yellow eyes that reflected back at him on the trail ahead, only to have his dog rub up against his leg and look up intently with its very green eyes.

Be mindful of thin ice

Ice is starting to form in the protected bays and thin ice is a concern. Children and pets can be lured onto the ice by small animals or wayward toys. Play and walks near the lake shore this time of year should be closely monitored.

Keep floors dry

To mitigate the annoyance of wet boots in the house, plastic boot trays at each entranceway is a must. One neighbour suggests placing a set of cloth placemats on the floor inside every door. A quick errand in the house will not require removal of snowy or wet boots if the wearer can simply step on the mats and shuffle throughout the house. Step off the mats when exiting at the door and the mats are ready and in place for the next trip into the house. Boot booties serve a similar purpose, but not all outdoorsmen will take the necessary time to pull on and take off these handy accessories.

Enjoy fresh veggies

Local gardens and greenhouses are cleaned out with fall’s harvest either preserved or put into cold storage. Residents are turning to various indoor gardening techniques. Sprouts are popular, easy and quick to grow and require minimal investment although commercially made units are very effective. Salad greens will grow nicely indoors, but require some artificial sunlight as our short days do not provide quite enough.

Winter means play

The onset of winter is also the time to pull out winter toys and hobby gear. Snowmobiles, skis, snowshoes and toboggans are coming out of storage. For those "inside" days, out come the crochet hooks, knitting needles, paint brushes and woodworking tools that will all be put to good use.

Although the numbers are down for the season, there are usually two or more ladies ready to make the daily walk along Boultbee Road for exercise and entertainment. Boot ice-grabbers become the norm in the colder months but it is the walking poles that are most useful all year round. They add exercise and stability and for some, provide a little extra power to maneuver up some of the steeper inclines. Perhaps the most important bonus of using walking poles is that they will serve as a weapon to ward off advances of aggressive wildlife.

Hours change

Some local businesses have switched to winter hours affecting the availability of some products and services. There is now unlimited access to the outdoor Bridge Lake mail boxes. The postal service counter at Sheridan Lake is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. , Monday through Saturday. Lone Butte postal service hours do not change during the winter and are 9:30 am to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. , Monday through Friday and on Saturday they are open 9 am to 12 p.m. Both locations are closed Sundays and statutory holidays.

Wonderful wildlife

An investigation in the hills northwest of Little Lac des Roches has confirmed that the source of the loud howling heard several afternoons in late October was indeed, a pack of wolves. The wet snow revealed “hoards of tracks” reported by a resident riding the Faulkner Lake trail. The presence of wolves in the area certainly explains the scarcity of deer and moose sightings as these canine predators and ungulate prey rarely share the same feeding area. Many species of waterfowl have been floating and feeding together in McCarthy Bay including several groups of distinctive migrating trumpeter swans.

Wonky weather

Thunder and hail in mid October is to be expected but several days of accumulating snow was definitely not normal. The early snow surprised several remaining seasonal residents who found themselves without winter boots, coats and snow shovels. Fallen Aspen and Cottonwood leaves blanketing the fields of snow are a sure sign that winter had come a little early, even for vegetation. The most disturbing sight was the new buds on several Saskatoon berry bushes on Oct. 29, appearing after a few very warm days. Seasonal temperatures will soon freeze the buds and likely result in devastation of next year’s berries.

Boats dry docked

Many boats being pulled from the water are heading into workshops as evidently Lac des Roches was rough on quite a few vessels this year. While most boaters know to stay clear of Propeller Shoal and the protruding rocks at the Sunken Island, a few bumps and nicks from sunken logs can be expected if navigating a vessel through the shallow channels, especially when the water level drops low in late summer. Mechanical issues such as a hole in the engine block and water in a distributor cap are likely natural wear and tear with aging, expected with the bigger, faster boats using the lake. Missing drain plugs and running out of fuel are more likely due to forgetfulness and aging of the captains of the boats. A broken dagger board could have been age-related but was attributed to the unpredictable gusty wind we enjoy year-round.

Burning binge

After months of stockpiling yard waste, snow accumulation had residents finally comfortable with lighting backyard burn piles. Surface moisture is adequate to douse wayward embers.