| 2010-08-18 Bear chases potential meal |
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| Several residents pointed out that while the tale in my previous column about the black bear chasing the deer through a local yard is quite incredible, it makes perfectly good sense. It is true the local black bear’s diet consists mostly of readily available berries and assorted vegetation; they will also hunt and eat insects, rodents, small mammals and even deer. Everyone did agree, however, on the key point, it is not advisable to run from a bear, as it will likely incite a chase. |
| Bocce ball |
| Summer fun continues around Lac des Roches. This year’s annual bocce ball tournament on Gerald Crescent attracted 20 local participants who enjoyed good exercise, friendly competition and excellent weather. Next year, the tournament will return to its normal size, with an expected 80 local and distant friends joining in on the fun. |
| Star gazing |
| Shorter days and warm temperatures make August evenings ideal for star gazing around Lac des Roches. Even the odd yard light doesn’t negatively affect the fantastic experience of watching satellites and meteors travelling among the stars and planets that dot the clear dark skies over the lake. Early August is particularly eventful when the Perseids meteor shower puts on its “meteor-a-minute” show, especially for friends visiting from areas where backlit city streetlights and neon signs obliterate the dark viewing screen above. For those who may have missed the fantastic shows on Aug. 12-13, the show will repeat next year, but any clear night will reward a gazer with some activity. Enjoy the night skies. |
| Fishing still hot |
| Some residents lament that the fishing at Lac des Roches slows down in August, but many fishers are reporting great success, proving that this is one of the best years we have experienced in decades. |
| Recycling strategy |
| Residents are reminded that if they are willing to donate their refundable beverage containers to charity, this can only be ensured if containers are placed in the blue community recycling box at Bridge Lake Store, or at several other red and blue bins located along Highway 24. Often, bottles and cans left at the dump or transfer stations will simply be thrown into the garbage by a well-meaning user or the container driver. The Knights of Columbus collect the refundable containers regularly and contribute funds into several community health needs in the 100 Mile House area. |
| Volunteers thanked |
| Several Lac des Roches residents have been observed working alongside their fellow Interlakes neighbours, donating their time to several community events and initiatives. A thank-you message doesn’t seem like enough, but a mention here that the efforts of past and current volunteers who give so much of their time to the community, should serve as a reminder of our sincere appreciation of their efforts and hats off to them all. |
| Logging resumes |
| Active logging is underway on the nearby Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road and loaded logging trucks, work trucks and heavy equipment haulers are frequenting the dusty road. The relatively narrow and windy road can be hazardous, especially to those using the many approaches to side roads and trails that head off of the main road. Hikers, cyclists and riders should exercise extreme caution when sharing the road with these trucks. |
| Friends meet |
| Friends of Lac des Roches will host its annual general meeting on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Bridge Lake Community School. |
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| 2010-08-04 Fun-filled wedding enjoyed by all |
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| “Eat, drink and be married.” These welcoming words greeted the 80 guests who arrived at Lac des Roches on July 24 to celebrate the wedding of Damien Martin and Erin Braithwaite. The wedding ceremony was held at the groom’s family cabin on the shores of Deka Lake, followed by the reception at the bride’s family cabin on Lac des Roches. The pristine south shore coupled with moonlight reflecting on the rippled waters provided a beautiful backdrop for the wedding reception where Erin incorporated some unique ideas into her dream ceremony. Scrabble tiled place settings reflected the groom’s passion for the game. The photo booth with costumes and cameras was typical fare of this fun-loving couple and it was as big a hit with the guests, as was the canoe filled with iced beverages. Congratulations to the young couple who will continue to reside in Vancouver after their honeymoon on Vancouver Island. |
| Dangerous curve |
| Highway 24 at the west end of Lac des Roches is a little safer now that there is a speed reduction sign eastbound at the top of the hill. Area residents instinctively slow down at the top of the curved hill, knowing its hazardous nature and history of accidents. The 70 km/h and corner indicator signs are welcome additions to the area, especially at the height of tourist season. |
| Bear responds |
| There is no logical reason for a black bear to chase a deer since they eat mostly berries and other vegetation. However watching a bear chase a deer through the neighbourhood last week was a reminder of why you don’t run away from a bear. It was obvious that if it runs, the bear chases it and a young, healthy bear runs very fast. Experts say to make noise, make yourself big (pull your shirt above your shoulders or crisscross sticks above your head) and back away. Since there have been daily sightings of bear and bear sign around the lake, be sure to tell your families and guests to be “bear aware” and don’t ever run from a bear. |
| Evening lightning |
| The July 27 storm could easily be called the South Cariboo’s version of the “Celebration of Light” fireworks show, due to the spectacular and numerous lightning flashes. Strong winds rearranged lawn furniture, tipped over potted plants and snapped off tree branches, but no serious property damage was detected. Residents monitored the surrounding forest for signs of fire the following morning and wind gusts later in the afternoon apparently fanned smoldering embers from a lightning strike into the large forest fire on nearby Bonaparte Lake. Thankfully, several residents who noticed the smoke plumes reported the fire to the emergency call centre at 1-800-663-5555. |
| Plant life |
| Cow parsnip grows abundantly around Lac des Roches. Evidently, this non-evasive plant is not the Giant Cow Parsnip (or Giant Hogweed) that has received a lot of publicity lately as both an invasive species and dangerous to humans. The key distinctions between the two plants are height, stem colour and leaf design. Although cow parsnip seems to temporarily take over the forest with its large maple-shaped leaves and umbrella-shaped flower heads this time of year, it is relatively harmless compared to its giant cousin. |
| Few berries |
| The cool temperatures during spring pollination seem to have taken their toll on the areas wild Saskatoon berry bushes. The few ripe berries that have appeared during the recent hot weather are quickly disappearing to the area birds. We can only hope for better pollination weather next year. |
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| 2010-07-21 Couple unites at country wedding |
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| A wedding on July 3 was a wonderful way for Lac des Roches couple, Jamie Moberg and Jacquie Woloski, to celebrate 12 happy years together. Everything went just right at nearby Crooked Lake Ranch, including the boat ride that delivered the bride and her attendants to the groom standing on the shore of Webb Lake where 100 guests were waiting to witness their exchange of vows. With the exception of her long veil snagging on the rough dock boards, the efforts of her many friends and family members, “pulling things together at the last minute,” coupled with excellent weather conditions, this country wedding was a successful and memorable event. The busy couple will continue to reside on Gerald Crescent where they operate a bed-and-breakfast among their many volunteer and business activities in the community, and will manage to fit in a short honeymoon to the Calgary Stampede this month. Congratulations to the popular newlyweds. |
| Together for a good cry |
| What started out as a chore for a handful of volunteers, slicing 60 pounds of onions and 25 pounds of tomatoes for the Bridge Lake Rodeo concession, turned out to be a good old-fashioned work bee for more than a dozen ladies from Boultbee Road. Despite the onion-induced teary eyes, the Bee Gees (Boultbee Gals) enjoyed the task, conversation and laughter, confirming this was the first of many “bees” to come. Much to the relief of many, it turned out that burning several candles during the veggie slicing did reduce the tearing effects of onions. |
| Early birds |
| Thanks to the shared knowledge and enthusiasm of host and leader Wendy Marshall, the birding excursion on the very chilly morning of July 5 at Lac des Roches was very enjoyable for the eight participants. Toques, mitts and windbreakers were as necessary as the binoculars. It turned out that much like human activity, bird activity slows down in the cold weather. However, the group still managed to record several dozen species during the three-hour nature walk. |
| Good eating |
| Billowing smoke during open fire restrictions is a cause for concern among residents, but during the summer months, it is often evidence of backyard barbecuing. Such was the case on July 3, when several cooks on Gerald Crescent tended the all-day task of roasting a whole lamb on a spit for the Moberg-Woloski wedding. By all accounts, this meat option was a tasty and tastefully prepared treat for many of the wedding guests. |
| Motorcycle traffic |
| The sound of motorcycles on Highway 24 is a sure sign of summer months at Lac des Roches. The sound from the noisier models can be heard for kilometres and will echo off the steep slopes on the south shore. Of the six advertised motorcycle-touring loops out of Kamloops, Highway 24 is on two. So on a dry, sunny day, there can be what seems to add up to hundreds of motorcycles passing by the lake. Among these are the occasional daredevil speeder who may not realize just how many road and driveway accesses are located in our area. Unfortunately, we can’t control the behaviour of these riders, but we can use extra caution when entering and exiting the highway. Residents should remind their guests to expect extremely fast-moving vehicles to suddenly appear around the many corners of our winding highway. As one neighbour always advises his visitors when they enter the highway: “don’t dawdle.” |
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| 2010-07-07 Live lawn ornaments are everywhere |
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| The abundance of wildlife sightings this year is quite astonishing and the yards around Lac des Roches look like they belong in a petting zoo. The normally elusive fox and coyotes are on regular hunting excursions through several yards in the area and are not deterred at all by the several new dogs around the neighbourhoods. Moose sightings are common, even in the water. The deer seem particularly plentiful and tame. Recent reports of violent attacks on pets and people by relatively docile deer in urban areas around the province serve as a reminder to all that wildlife are just that, wild. We need to exercise cautious around all wildlife. |
| Fresh snow |
| The morning snowfall of June 30 and the temperatures hovering around 0 C was not a Canada Day joke. The weather this year is getting a little crazy and very unpredictable. The “winter that wasn’t” was followed by the “spring that came late” and it now looks like we are heading into “what summer”? One seasonal resident asked me the other day, how much snow we got this year. My estimate of six inches should have been, “six inches and still counting.” Don’t put those toques and mitts away just yet. |
| Pollination questionable |
| The Saskatoon berry bushes were in full bloom in mid-June, just when the cold and damp storm patterns rolled in to give us some relief from the months of near-drought weather. We can only hope that the few pollinating insects that seemed to have braved the miserable weather were enough to turn the little green buds into tasty berries later in July. |
| Do not disturb |
| This is the time of year to reminder residents fledglings, which appear to have fallen from their nest, should be left alone. Often, what appears to be abandonment by their parents is often just a normal part of their training to be a bird. If the situation is not part of the training, as difficult as it may be, leaving the bird alone will allow nature to take its intended course. |
| Leaf miner |
| The aspen tree leaf miner is slowly making its presence known this year. Practically overnight, the leaves on the smaller trees in the area have turned from dark green to silvery white as the leaf miner weaves its tunnels around each leaf and robs the leaf of its chlorophyll. Once again, we will miss seeing the once-vibrant colours of the trembling aspen when they turn orange in the fall, as the faded leaves provide only a dull orange tinge before they drop for the winter. |
| Safety glasses |
| As I was setting out to do some daily chores around the yard last week, a neighbour asked me what I was doing that required the safety glasses I had just put on. My reply was, “everything”. I explained that not only was it annoying to have a dust spec or the odd fly bother my eyes, but there had been one too many close calls where harmful flying debris almost cost me an eye. He agreed that it was a good idea, that “in a blink of an eye” accidents do happen, I encourage everyone who doesn’t wear protective glasses as a rule to consider investing in some relatively cheap safety glasses and protect your eyes. |
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