Snowboarding tracks down the cut banks on the Boultbee Road corner of Highway 24 are a sign of reckless behaviour. This corner already has the dubious distinction of being one of the more dangerous corners along the Lac des Roches stretch of Highway 24 due to the slow traffic entering and exiting the highway for the side road and the nearby popular rest stop. Motorists often drift over the centerline on the corner, evidenced now by the sound of tires on the new centerline rumble strips. The sudden appearance of a snowboarder gliding down the bank toward the highway could cause a motorist to swerve. If conditions are icy or there is oncoming traffic, the results could be disastrous. So, a plea goes out to snowboarders in the area; please find a safer place for your sport, away from the highway, for your safety and the safety of motorists.
Ice is everywhere
Winter certainly came fast and furious! The freezing rain in early December took its toll on many trees. We have several 20-foot aspen saplings that are bent over to the ground due to the weight of the ice coating their branches. Many walking routes are challenging as the tree limbs, once high over one’s head, hang at face level due to the weight of the ice and snow. Although it appears that we have almost a foot of fluffy snow everywhere, underneath the top 10 inches of snow is a two-inch layer of ice, impossible to penetrate with a plastic snow shovel. Road and path clearing requires a lot of extra effort and some heavy-duty hardware like a steel shovel to get down to the dirt and gravel below. While Little Lac des Roches has been iced over since Nov. 25, the ice only covered the big lake on Dec. 14. The cold snap should freeze the layer of slush on top and thicken the ice from below for safe use by Christmas but, as always, sledders on the big lake must be mindful of the areas where there is often thinner ice due to the underwater springs that reduce the ice buildup from below.
Cattle eluding capture
The few remaining stray cattle that survived the livestock hauler accident in October are being cared for by area residents. Although they are still "at large," they are receiving feed and water daily. While these animals can be hazard to unsuspecting motorists, they move slower than the wildlife often spotted on the highway and should be easier to avoid.
Birthday wishes
Congratulations to our neighbour, Lorraine Jollymore, who celebrated her "seventy-something" birthday on Dec. 6. Her husband Bill arranged an open house for friends and neighbours but it seems Lorraine did most of the baking. She claims she enjoyed it, so I guess it was a gift to her, letting her bake for those who attended. I wonder if that means Bill should do all the baking for his upcoming 75th birthday party.
Newsletter online
Our new Area L Cariboo Regional District director, Bruce Rattray, took office Dec. 12. Bruce is anxious to include all residents and interested parties on his regular emailed newsletters. This is an excellent way for residents, especially those who live permanently elsewhere, to keep informed of CRD and area activities. Check out Bruce’s website www.brucerattray.ca and send your contact information to bruce@brucerattray.ca to be included on his mailing list.