Category: Community Blog

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.

A number of safety concerns have been voiced throughout the neighbourhood, and some comments and suggestions are shared in this article.

Roads misused

Like many rural areas, our community roads have become dangerous playgrounds through the careless and illegal use of unlicensed motorcycles and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV). There have been spills, broken bones and near misses all year between; motorcycles and ATV riders, pedestrians and licensed vehicle drivers. Most of these riders are children. To their credit, it seems that most of the adults are insisting that these children wear helmets, but then they condone the use of roads as suitable playgrounds. Neighbours are complaining about the noise, the damage to the roads and the dangerous riding habits, reporting that riders often exceed the speed limit of 50 km, with no apparent thought of safety to pedestrians and pets. The population and activity levels are significantly increasing in our area with construction vehicles, unfamiliar drivers and additional foot traffic, and there is bound to be a serious accident involving a motorcycle or ATV this year. The safety suggestion offered is please don’t use these frontage roads as a babysitter. There are abundant de-activated roads and trails in the hills on the north side of Highway 24 for riding. Adults should teach the young people in their charge to respect private and public property, and take riding out to the trails, where it belongs.

Can’t help falling

Our neighbourhood has experienced a number of falling incidents this summer, resulting in broken bones and other personal injury. With plenty of prime working weather ahead of us in the next few months, we all wish to remind our local handymen (and women) to use extreme caution when working at heights, whether on a ladder, scaffolding, deck or even in trees. The safety suggestion offered is to tie off ladders, use safety harnesses or restraint devices if practical and most importantly, have a spotter steady equipment and watch out for neighbours while they are in the air.

Location is everything

While the weather conditions this summer have kept the threat of forest fires down, the neighbours still keep a watchful eye out for smoke or fire in the surrounding hills. One diligent neighbour, who has reported suspicious smoke to the Provincial Forest Fire Reporting Center, mentioned that more detailed location information is requested and that "Lac des Roches" is too broad, especially for a large lake. The staff at the center (1 800 663 5555) has confirmed that an approximate waypoint, or the latitude and longitude co-ordinate in degrees and minutes for the subject area, is very beneficial for dispatching the forestry spotter plane. Longitude and latitude lines can be found on many maps, such as those published in the Backroad Mapbook – Cariboo or the British Columbia Topographical Maps, as well as on several lookup sites on the Internet. As an example of a waypoint, the rock bluff on the south shore of Lac des Roches has the approximate coordinate of (Latitude) 51° 29′ N and (Longitude) 120° 37′ W. The safety suggestion offered is to identify a few significant coordinates for your community and keep these noted near the phone that would be used to report a forest fire.

Lots to share

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, a community lake stewardship and preservation society produced their second annual Resident’s Newsletter in May. This newsletter is one of many updates posted on their website www.lacdesroches.org/aboutus, with information and suggestions for living on a Cariboo lake. The society is holding their annual general meeting Aug. 29, at 7 pm in the Bridge Lake Community School. Business will include executive responsibilities and upcoming year’s meeting schedule. All are welcome!

You have to like the colour green living out here on the edge of the wilderness. We see green grass, green water, green trees and even green metal roofs. Green is an indicator of the activity that has spiked with the summer holidays, that is the green building permit signs appearing on so many hydro poles along our roads. There are houses, additions, cabins, garages and wharves being built, septic fields and driveways being excavated and fences taking shape through the tall green grass.

Bloomin’ community

We are a community in bloom, as July is, when more vibrant colours appear in our yards. Our wild flowers include; orange tiger lilies; red and yellow columbine; red and pink paintbrush and pink and yellow wild roses. Alas, it is mid-July and the thousands of berries on our wild Saskatoon bushes, spotted in several yards along the lake, are still green!

Trees infested

What are supposed to be green, but again are not this year, are our Aspen leaves. As with most areas throughout the Cariboo, all of the Aspen trees, young and old, are infested with a leaf miner. As these insects tunnel through the leaf cells, making long twisting serpentine mines, they turn the leaves silvery white. Coupled with an outbreak of root rot, Aspen trees on the properties around the lake are being removed as fast as the pine and spruce trees that are succumbing to beetle and worm infestation, making room, eventually, for younger, healthier, green saplings.

Animals everywhere

The colour of brown is predominant in July. Over the last few weeks, I have observed a light brown deer, a buck in full velvet, meandering through the tall grasses to spend another day near the water. On one occasion, spooked by an undetectable sound or movement, he gracefully cleared a five rail Russell fence without hesitation. Almost daily, we see brown and white coyotes, brown hawks, brown and white bald eagles and those pesky brown gophers, munching on the abundant green dandelion leaves! Did I mention it helps if you like the colour green when you live out here on the edge?

Fishing for info

Beginning this year, some residents are participating in an informal creel report (fishing results) at Lac des Roches (LdR) for the Ministry of Environment (MoE). The MoE will use the data to help determine the current condition of the trout fishery on LdR . Creel reporting is an appropriate method of gathering data for certain lakes according to Stephen Maricle, Small Lakes Biologist, Thompson Region. He suggests that if experienced anglers notice significant changes over a couple of years, to the fishery on any lake, then he would like to hear about it at 250-371-6253.

Flies don’t bother us

The famous chironomid and mayfly hatch on LdR in late May through early July was spectacular again this year. While many neighbours were out in their boats, tempting the trout with their hand-tied flies, the real flies put on quite a performance. The clouds of chironomids hummed in the sky at the water’s edge and periodically took time out from flying to cling to everything stationary and moving near the water. The mayflies silently hover and jump in huge column formations above the trees along the lakeshore. It is reassuring to know these millions of flies don’t bite!

Ranting about ravens

I had another encounter with our resident ravens this month. Perhaps they were inadvertently lured onto the deck last year by a pot of cooling hard-boiled eggs, but did they have to take all six of them? When I carefully painted and placed fifty yellow rocks around my yard for a treasure hunt this year, I did not know that ravens could move a four-ounce piece of granite! These treasure rocks must have looked like big yellow eggs to them as they carted them off. It did seem like a good idea at the time!

Friends meet July 25

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake will present updates on their many initiatives on July 25, at 7 p.m. in the Bridge Lake Community School. All are welcome!

The editor asked that I include a little about myself in my first article. My career as a professional accountant took me to various work locations throughout B.C. , with writing being a significant part of my job, creating training material and procedure manuals. Since retiring to the Cariboo just over three years ago to help my husband build our house, I have become; a carpenter’s helper; plumber’s helper; roofer’s helper; welder’s helper, and will be any other needed helper to finish our house over the next few years. At Lac des Roches, I live "on the edge". The edge of a beautiful lake, the edge of the South Cariboo, the edge of the Interior Plateau, the edge of wilderness, and sometimes, when I am dirt biking or sailing, just plain "on the edge"!

I recently noticed that Lac des Roches (LdR) was listed as a "community" on the banner of the Cariboo Connector newspaper. I was curious about what prompted the paper to define my neighbours and me as a community. Was it because of the formation of "Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake", a group of citizens concerned about area development plans as presented by Land and Water B.C. ? Was it due to the lake stewardship initiatives? Was it because of the concerns voiced over the possible construction of a water retention dam at the outflow of the lake? Maybe it was due to the initiative to heighten awareness of recycling opportunities and arranging to have a community recycle bin placed at the Bridge Lake Store? I placed a call to Chris Nickless, publisher of the Cariboo Connector, to get an answer to my question and this led to an interesting discussion about my community. It turns out Chris hadn’t used any specific criteria but he did recognize that we are "way out there", that we are somewhat unique from the rest of the Interlakes community, and there seems to be "a lot going on". Chris ended our discussion with the suggestion that I share information with my neighbours and neighbouring communities, so here I am, submitting an article. There is a certain bond that develops with the members of a community who are living with certain challenges; in two different regional districts; at the end of the hydro grid; through a Cariboo winter above the elevation of 1134 meters, to name a few. I hope to provide readers with a sense of our strong community spirit through this column and I plan to write about the many activities and initiatives that bring my neighbours together, such as lake stewardship, land use planning, historical and cultural events, and community items from "the edge". Here are a few community items that spring to mind.

Out on the lake

The ice monitors have advised me that Little Lac des Roches, Birch Lake and Lac des Roches were ice-free on May 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. Boaters were on the lake, with fishing lines in the water on the same days. I witnessed the first sport tubers in the frigid waters of LdR on June 7, taking a very short ride behind a ski boat.

Towers going up

Applications for permits over Crown land that appeared in the 100 Mile Free Press this spring indicate that communication towers are planned for Highway 24, one to be located above the LdR rest stop. These towers will provide cellular service to travellers of the entire highway and are a welcome development to the cellular subscribers of my community.

"Living on the edge"

As I watch the media’s coverage of the flooding and potential flooding throughout BC and Alberta, I am so grateful to be living "on the edge" of a hill. My entire acreage, like the majority of the area lots, slopes down to LdR. A local contractor recently told my neighbour that he could probably make a living just making flat spots for people. Evidently, most residents want to have property on a slope, and then they immediately want flat spots for their stuff. This is so true! I keep asking for flat spots in my yard. Oh . . . did I mention I am also a cat operator’s helper?