The Saskatoon berries near Lac des Roches are quite a disappointment this year. While there are several bushes in the area that are thriving with big tasty berries, several popular patches have produced almost no berries or ones that are woody in texture and bitter to the taste. This year, more than ever, it is wise to taste the berries from the bushes before proceeding to pick. Wild huckleberries can be found in the forests and a short hike off the road will reveal pockets of excellent crops. Thriving in the same soil conditions are plenty of wild raspberries, finally ready for picking. The seedy thimbleberries are slow to ripen this year, but look like they will produce well by late August or early September.
Green everywhere
If ever there was a year to enjoy the colour of green, this is it, as the lawns and fields of grass in the area are still several shades of green, healthy and growing. In a typical year, dry conditions in late August usually converts well-groomed lawns to brown and crunchy mats, requiring only spotty mowing – if any. Tall wild grasses normally lose their strength and as they dry and brown, lodge in the fields with the slightest of wind and rainstorm. This year, they are still standing tall and gaining height. There is little chance of unplanned grass fires this year, but residents maintain their diligent watch of the roads and rest stops for careless disposal of burning cigarette butts.
Recycle opportunity
With the upcoming long weekend, it is a good time to remind residents the blue community recycling box at Bridge Lake Store is available 24 hours a day for donations of all types of refundable beverage containers. Members of the Knights of Columbus, a community service organization, regularly pick up the empties left there and distribute a portion of the proceeds back to the originating community. Several local not-for-profit societies have benefited from the generous donations by residents and visitors to the area. Thanks to all who choose to donate their empties to the community.
Friends meeting
Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society has had a quiet year. Water monitoring, wildlife recording and community communication are the key activities for the past year. The annual community newsletter has now been delivered to all the residences around Lac des Roches and Birch Lake. The group has partnered with the Cariboo Regional District to work through the process of reducing the boat speed restriction on Little Lac des Roches to 10 km/h from 20 km/h. Several petition copies are circulating in the neighbourhood to garner community support for this initiative, which will include a public discussion on the pros and cons of the change. The annual general meeting, normally held at the end of August, is postponed this year until 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Lac des Roches Resort restaurant.
Wildlife sightings
Deer, fox, badgers and bears are frequent sightings throughout the neighbourhood. They are not causing any problems although the deer are persistent and determined to eat every single pea and spinach plant they can find. One neighbour is adamant that the ground squirrels (or gophers) have always hibernated by Aug. 15, but this year, the weather conditions seem to have thrown their biological clocks completely off and they are still scampering around the yards and maintaining their destructive digging behavior. Living on the edge of the wilderness, as we do, means sharing our space with nature’s neighbours, too.