Camp, Paddle 'n Cut

A late summer trip in the park was just what I needed.  It felt good to return to the boreal forest, to hike the spruce bogs, to work up a sweat clearing portage trails... and to treasure all of the gifts this great land offers.   As soon as we got dropped off, we set out in search of a camp site, home for the next 4 days.  

This open rocky point is perfect

A few notes and then we set out to find the trails that need clearing. 

I welcomed the smells, the sounds, and the sights... all of which will linger in my mind long after I leave   

And when we pay attention, we find small treasures.

Time to sharpen the saw and get to work

Old blazes show us the way to the next lake...

A grouping of fallen spruce trees add a little challenge but we carve through

And eventually we reach the water again.  Another trail across this pond awaits.

At the end of the day, a good meal, and time to take down a few notes.

We had visitors every evening.  A Boreal Owl flew in and out.  Three curious otters slithered by, pointed their nose, barked and swam away.  A large beaver made sure we were aware of its presence.   The distant honking of Canada geese reminded us that a new season is approaching.  Other creatures are more discrete and leave only signs of their passing.

 An old shed antler along the beach... 

Small details that amaze me.  A tight jack pine cone.

The nights are cold and the mornings crisp.

A hot coffee quickly gets us ready for another day... and the canoe is set to go again.

And we explore yet again

I treasure my work in the park and take nothing for granted.

"Let Nature be your Teacher" 

William Wordsworth

A Birthday Greeting

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Kicking Ash...

September and Red 124 is still smouldering.  I had an opportunity to receive a crash course on Hazard Tree Assessment from a couple of BC crewmen, known as experts in this field.  Hazard trees are not just the obvious leaners... so I learned.  

Destination...
750m portage trail between Murdock and Larus Lakes along the Bloodvein River

We picked up the crewmen John and Marcel from their fire line camp on Murdock 

I was given a tour of their camp.  Some rehabilitation pointers were communicated to the crew... small steps to consider when comes time to demobilize their camp. 



Restoring the camp and helipad areas to their most natural state will reduce the impact on the land and on the minds of those who may come across these sites in the future.  Unfortunatly, this creative mail box will be cut down and left behind to be reclaimed by the land. 

Out on the trail 

The trail and forest I knew so well were unrecognizable

The fire was so intense that it gutted trees that then collapsed unto themselves... turned mosses and duff into a layer of ash

An interesting burn pattern

Yet, just barely a week after the fire impact, new growth is found.  

Hard to miss this splash of bright lime green in a dark charcoaled forest. 

This is a great opportunity to re-route the portage trail. 
No trees to blaze therefore flagging required.  Will need to return to cut the new trail.

 

 

The crew got to work, first scouting and assessing....

then cutting the hazards

 

 

This hazard is no brainer to me.. its roots grappling at nothing.

As we were working, a black bear came out from the forest across the river and swam to our side and quickly disappeared again.  It was cleary on a mission to get out of here in search of greener pastures. 

It's time to head back

Looks like I got a little dirty

Thanks John and Marcel for imparting some of your knowledge

It was all good

Family Trip

 

Ray, Starr and our grandson Adam just completed a "boys only" trip to Waterton National Park at the south end of Alberta right against the US/Canada border.  

First the long drive across the prairie provinces... with its own beauty. 

Finally in the mountains

Picked up a campsites and set off hiking.

Waterton National Park is gorgeous

Waterton townsite

Where deer lay in the shade like dogs

 

A full day of hiking and sight seeng resulted in some pretty bad foot blisters for Ray.  So the next day, they opted to stay off their feet and ride horses.

Like a scene from Bonanza - awesome.  Turns out Adam is a natural in the saddle whereas Grandpa nearly fell off his horse at some point.  That is the story I heard.

The ride got better and better

And then the ascend - they had to dismount their horses to help with the climb.  So much for resting the foot blisters... ouch!

But they finally reached the top

The setting and beauty was worth all the pain...

It happened to be Starr's 14th birthday... Happy Birthday

You can see the town of Waterton down below

The next day, Ray opted to soak in a Hot Springs while the boys took in a game of golf nearby... Starr first time golfing.  Adam shared a few golf tricks with his little uncle Starr.

All too soon, it was time to head back east.  En route, they dropped in "Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump" interpretive centre.

And after 2 weeks away from home, they were welcomed to freshly picked blueberries and homemade blueberry pies.