Thursday, April 7, 2016

LEAVING THE COAST


We left the coast early.  We had had enough of the rat race.  Time to turn the page and start the next chapter.


Our spot

It started to rain as we pulled out.  When it rains on the coast it usually means it snows on the mighty Coquahalla at this time of year.  So we weren't surprised.

Coquahalla Highway - April 5, 2016

It's a short trip over the mountain to Merritt and a little bit further to the park.  We travel through the Nicola ranch.  This is an exciting time of year for the cows, calving time.


Over the next couple of months, hundreds of calves will arrive.

On to the park.  We noticed that the lake is very low.  Beaches have appeared where none were before.  Nicola Lake is controlled by a dam.  This year it has been lowered a lot as they are expecting a lot of run off.  The run off has started.   We have never seen this creek running so fast.



We were set up by 1:00 pm.  There is still a lot of things we want to do.  We are here for five months so things can be more permanent.  In past years, we have set up in the host site down in the park.  This year we want to be away from the campers and find more time to relax. 

Our spot on the compound.  All alone for now.
 The park has undergone a "burn".  The forestry department comes and very carefully torches the pine needles and undergrowth.  This is to help prevent the unthinkable forest fire.  It looks ugly right now but the grass is poking through already.  






The water reservoir has to be cleaned and our water won't be turned on until next week. We have our water bladder to keep us filled up.  The power, Wi Fi, and telephones are all up and running.  Regular staff hours won't start for awhile.  In the meantime, we will get acclimatized.  Warm days and cold nights. 

3 comments:

Linda Sand said...

Around here they used to call those controlled burns. Now they call them prescribed burns. Apparently they don't always stay controlled. I had a friend who was learning how to do those in the local state park; his mentor said,"If I yell truck, RUN!"

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

Good idea to relocate. I think being too accessible to the campers could be a pain. Sit back and relax for a while. I am sure the busy season will be upon you before you know it.

Peter said...

I would not EVER in a hundred years drive the damn Coquahalla again. It has cost me thousands of repairs on our first truck.