Whistler RV Park and Brandywine Mountain

Some say hunting is the most expensive sport. I’d say it competes with yachting.  My fisherman and golf friends argue about the cost of their endeavours.  The antique car and motorcycle enthusiasts are as protective as the ski enthusiasts. The costs do make one consider leasing and renting and living on the surface.  Camping has been a lifelong passion ignited by my parents and carried on into the next generation.  My mom and dad went from army tent with us kids as toddlers to the top of the line Slumber Queen RV bus and Good Sam Membership.  

I’ve now a Good Sam Membership.  Dad introduced me to hunting when I was 6 and now I’m still hunting decades later. He loved his truck and never did get an ATV. My brother had a motorcycle.  They both hunted mostly stalking.  I’ve pupped tented and sierra camped in bag beneath the stars.  This Adventurer Camper on the back of my Ford F350 is luxury.  Staying at a full service RV Campground like this Whistler RV Park is heaven.  The Burnaby Cariboo RV Park is a Good Sam park. Good Sam parks are highly rated with the kind of amenities and service that Whistler RV Park has.  I’ve come along way from days of roughing it when I camped way off grid and shot deer in the mountains I carried back on my shoulders.  The last deer I shot I almost died dragging it a hundred yards to the logging road and truck.  We get old. 

I love the great electrical and water and sewer hook up here.  The view is to die for.  When we were last here it was the view and overall tidiness and orderliness of the campground that attracted us.  

The preparation for this 10 day hunting trip and another 10 days planned in October required me to have the F350 checked out by Coastal Ford. It’s not a wise idea to go into the backwoods with a truck that has problems.   Thanks to divorce I’ve hunted in less than optimal vehicle, divorce cars and divorce vans but today I have the wherewithal to plan wisely.  Enough can happen with good equipment one doesn’t want to invite trouble.  I had the Honda 420 Rancher checked out by Chilliwack Motorcycle.  I took all the equipment for hunting out of the storage locker and checked it over. I have my Iridium Satellite Phone for emergencies and renewed my time as well as arranging the camping Star link package that allows me to communicate and even work away from home.  It was $500 to just have the fuel and propane for truck, camper and ATV .  Add to that the few hundred dollars for groceries.  We have to eat here or at home so I don’t think of those expenses as such.  This morning I made Laura soft boiled eggs on toast with cafe au last and toast and French marmalade.  We had fresh squeezed orange juice and it was delicious.  The mountain air was delectable. Madigan the dog was happy be with us and to be able to pee outside the door.

It’s a lot of moving parts.  A hunting trip isn’t the same as the yachting expeditions I did.  At sea if you’re missing something you have to make do.  Tools are a major concern. Here if I was missing something I could detach the camper and take the truck into town to get it but the aim is to be self sufficient for the week.  I believe we’ve done that.  We’re all set up here .  

I was up at 7 am and attended an on line meeting at 8 then had breakfast and by 1030 am  had the Rancher loaded and clipped Madigan onto the seat be hind me on the quad.  Laura wished us well.  We were off. What a great ride on the Brandywine Snowmobile trails.  The views of the mountain, Chocolate Bowl and Brandy Wine Bowl .  I found the Snowmobile Hut and the little lake.  I even stopped to sit on the deck chairs and drink the last of my coffee I had in the thermos I bought at the Harrison Lake gift store. It fits perfectly in the holder I have on the ATV.  

Until tomorrow morning it’s only bow hunting season for deer, bear and partridge.  I didn’t bring my big Excalibur Cross Bow because of the bulk really.  I did bring my mini cross bow feeling good knowing I could shoot a grouse if they walked out onto the road.  Deer will have to wait. I’m looking forward to heading out early tomorrow. 

Back for lunch Laura made chicken and halepeno cheese sandwiches on sour door bread and we drank Coca Cola and relaxed.  After that I finished reading the incredible Anthony Grey novel, Peking. I’ve order his Tokyo Bay book in hard cover.  Laura and I have been lying on deck chairs with Madigan intermittently walking over us.  A chip munk has been looking at us from a rock.  The view is incredible. 

It’s heaven on earth. I’m going to load up and head out for an evening ride along a logging road trying to decide where to hunt first thing tomorrow.  Today was reconnoiter day and maybe shoot a grouse.  So far the chip munk is the only 4 footed life I’ve seen.  Still what an adventurer. Laura told me she was listening to the cheering this morning as today was the was the Vancouver Whistler bicycle race with one lane of the sea to sky highway closed.  We were glad to have come up yesterday and not encountered the traffic which much have been difficult today.  We’re here 10 days and the stress is just lifting off us in this incredibly peaceful place. 

Both Laura and I think this much be sacred ground it’s so positive. The energy is truly uplifting.  I do love my little home away from home with all the amenities. Glamping is blessed.  Thank you Jesus.

Quad versus Side by Side for hunting

First, 500 cc is enough power for hunting needs for one person.  I’ve had Polaris 500, Yamaha 450, Honda Pioneer side by side 500 and now I’ve a Honda 420 Rancher They have all been great machines.  

The advantage of the Pioneer side by side was the roof and enclosure. I was hunting a lot with a friend and two big guys riding on a quad doesn’t do it.  A little girlfriend, a dog, or a child works just fine.  The Pioneer was perfect.  We had sufficient room for us and our gear and the dog.  It was perfect in cold weather because the enclosed inside heated up from the engine heat.  The windshield was great in rain.  It was however like having a little ‘car’ in the backwoods. Before I could afford ATV’s I hunted on foot, stalking, in ambush and only had a Broncho or a Sport truck.  I felt like I was driving a little Jeep in the side by side, cut off from nature. It was the same when I had a side car motorcycle. The ‘experience’ of two wheels was missing.  With a quad I feel like I’m riding a horse.  Hunting with an enduro motorcycle required too much attention to the road whereas the quad lets me look all around.   

If one is mainly taking passengers then the 750 or 800 might be better. We found the 500 Pioneer sufficient. To my mind nothing  beats the quad as a hunting platform..  It’s has the joy of an off road  motorcycle but gives the stability for looking about while driving. It’s easier to park the quad or side by side than a two  wheel when game is sighted and you go for the bow or gun.  For comfort stick with a truck

My old cockapoo partridge hunting dog preferred the truck. When I’d unloaded the Pioneer he would jump back in the truck. He liked the comfortable seating. The side by side seats are like cafeteria chairs and probably would benefit a cushion. I can sit all day on the quad.   I definitely could hunt more comfortably in snow and rain with the Pioneer but I could dress for the Quad and be more in tune with the environment.That’s why I went back to the quad. 

I love the Honda 420 rancher because it’s lighter weight. I can do 50 km/hr  backwoods with it and 60 km/hr with the 450 and 500 but I ‘m not racing when I’m hunting.  Mostly I’m travelling at 10 to 15 km/hr. I’ve carried deer on the 450 and my friend carries moose out on his. So far I haven’t had to face the problem of carrying out moose with the 420 Rancher.   I’m hoping to put my Rancher to the test and believe it will be up to it.  So far I’ve only had it this year and it’s only had to carry me, the dog and  grouse and rabbit.

With regard to accessories, I had a windshield on the Polaris and admit that was sweet in rain and snow. I had chains for the Polaris and that was especially good in snow. I don’t like hunting in heavy snow now.  If I wanted to do this more I’d get a snowmobile though the Polaris with chains worked really well.  I don’t have a lighter /USB charging port on this Rancher and expect I’ll have one installed. That was on my previous machines and I really appreciated it. 

I did have hand guards added to the Rancher and missed the heated handles I had on the Yamaha. The Honda tires that come with their machines have all been sufficient but there’s an even more gnarly set I’ll probably upgrade to one day.  I had hard box luggage compartment on the back of the Yamaha and Polaris and loved it.  I could have gone with that again but instead chose soft Kolpin bags. The hard compartments were a thousand range whereas the soft which works great were only a couple of hundred dollars. 

I really do like having the stacking square gas tank. I used to carry a spare can buggy corded onto previous machines. This is way superior.  I have had the gun clamps on all my quads whereas the rifles and shotguns stood in the Pioneer much like they do in the truck.

I carried a chain saw mounted to the back rack but the mud splash was an issue. I used it only once or twice.  Now I’ve a folding saw and axe I take along. 

I had a muffler which reduced the sound on the Yamaha but after a couple of years it rusted out. I don’t know it was that much of an improvement. 

I did have a WARN winch installed on the front of the Rancher with the Honda kit.  It’s the third WARN winch I’ve had on my machines. I ‘ve used it to pull trees out of my path. It helped me pull up quarters of elk from down a ravine. That last deer I shot from the truck, Wel,  I had to use the winch from the Yamaha to get it from the ground into the truck bed. I’d loaded the ATV that night early and was driving out at dusk when I saw the deer and shot it. I expect I’d have had to quarter it to get it into the truck bed without the help of the ATV winch.  

I’m an older guy now.  It’s been decades since I carried a deer down a mountain side on my shoulders. When I was young I carried moose and deer on pack boards out of the woods for miles. I ranged everywhere and was in place in the dark before dawn and hunted till after dusk. Now my knee and back hurt and carrying my rifle a mile or two is work. I used to carry a pack sack too with thermos and such. I like that the ATV carries all that.   That last mule deer I shot just driving in my truck, a couple of hundred meters from the logging road, just about did me in getting it back to the road onto the truck  So now I’m ‘road hunting’. I may ride or walk but I’m looking for animals that are close to the road.  

I got more game when all I did was stalk and sit in ambush but I have a hell of a good time riding the Honda 420 Rancher on the trails.  I’d be an old fool if I shot anything too far from a road today It took me all day to get the quartered elk out to the road.  Besides the grouse and rabbits prefer the logging road.   I’m happy enough to shoot them. The dog’s just as excited.  The truth is my Honda 420 Rancher makes for a great hunting experience.  People who don’t even hunt get them to ride around in the backwoods.  That’s how much fun they are.

Hunting weekend, Similkameen River, Riverhaven RV Park

Laura makes me feel ‘manly’.  I enjoying camping and hunting and feeling no shame in masculinity.  Toxic feminists seem to breed in the urban cafe but dwindle out where masculinity is appreciated.  Laura loves being in the camper and Madigan and I love being out on the Honda ATV in the woods.  It’s a lot of work to manage all the aspects of daily living. Water systems, heating and refridgeration, automotive, community, electricity, sewage.  It’s a whole different thing to be sitting in a space station city apartment with all the services vaguely ‘miraculously there.”

We’re not roughing it by any means. Laura stoically joined me for all the tenting days when I’d leave her with a rifle and go off bear hunting in bear country.  She stayed in the truck one time. Another time a freak snow storm collapsed the tent roof and I found her sitting inside beside the heater read. She loves to read.  Another time while myself and the guys were out hunting grouse one landed on the picnic table and she shot it with her 22.  We were skunked and she had the grouse.  

I love this Riverhaven RV Campground. It has all the services, electricity, city water supply, sewage.  We can also access the ATV trails and back woods off the RV site.  There’s a beach and all the kids are down there all day. Yesterday was hot and sunny. I’d thought to jump into the cool stream but missed my opportunity. Today it’s overcast. Lots of folk are down swimming and playing by the water. But I’m passing. I only like cold water when it’s hot and sunny outside. I did just get out of a heavenly hot shower in the Adventurer camper. I love the Adventurer Camper.  

It was all day getting out here on Thursday. We had errands in the morning, and had to load the camper at John’s.  I also had to hook up the Lowe’s Store Utility Trailer with the Honda 420 Tracker ATV.  There’s keys and locks for everything so it’s always a mental Alzheimer’s test trying to remember all the details.  I keep meaning to get a flight checklist but forget to do it only to have to remember again next time.  We’d stopped at Cabelas on the way out only to find there was almost no ammunition.  None for my rifles.  Thankfully I found what I wanted at Canadian tire.  30:06 180 grain Nussler Partition.  What a find? I bought four boxes.  I’ve not been able to find any for a year but luckily have had leftovers from previous years.  The 300 Win Mag Short is all sold out too.  

It’s bow hunting, dear and elk but rifle for bear hunting. I found the bear banger gifts but the ammo was sold out.  I got a solid lock for the new electric bicycle. I hadn’t brought the Vespa so if we didn’t have something we’d have to do with out.  I was thinking this when we got to Hope to provision.  At Chilliwack we noticed the price of gas is way up.  Being older and knowing the country before Trudeau’s waste and mismanagement I remember $100 paid for a weekend of gas. Now it’s more like $400. All the food prices have gone up too because of all the taxes on primary processes and inflation.  I’m okay.  I’m still working yet I no longer feel clean paying taxes. Paying the terrorist ten million dollars for killing the American medic never sat well with me. When my taxes went to roads, defence and hospitals I was okay. Not okay but now it’s scandalous.  All the people who don’t work and don’t want to work are being rewarded and we’re suffering more and more taxes and less and less income. Same with legal gun owners, high costs and impeccable behaviour while the criminals get a pass from the government. 

Oh well, I’m far from the maddening crowd.  I love it here. Families and children and no loud music. A really well run campground.  Lovely owners.  So helpful. 

At Hope I really loaded a lot of food.  People are stockpiling canned food again as fall is coming on and more and more shortages are appearing in the stores.  Other than ammo we’ve been fortunate.  I’ve used Amazon to get some sweet items for camping.  Motion sensitive portable lights.  Also a soft Kolpin ATV gear bag seat that’s just skookum.  I like Kolpin.  

The ride up through Manning Park was a delight on a sunny day.  It wasn’t at all like the smoky surreal world I passed through last month. There was still some smouldering fire at East gate. There had been major flames before and black billowing smoke. Now it was just a little grey smoke.  A last stop at the Princeton store for sandwich meats. That’s all I’d forgotten at Hope.

The refridgerator is working well again thanks to Nick at Far Out RV in Hope.  

We finally made it to Riverhaven at dusk. A beautiful river side site. Lots of room. I was able to put the trailer beside the Camper and Ford F-350.  We’d had MacDonald’s from Hope so weren’t hungry. I did eat a cold cheese burger left over and that satisfied me. Laura wasn’t hungry after the quarter pounder late afternoon. It was so quiet and the stars were out.  

Madigan cried half the night. He wanted to be on the bed. He was bored. He was upset. I woke at 2:30 am with a cramp, took him for a walk and downed several Alleve.  I slept in. 930 am.  

Yesterday was a great day.  I actually went through all the gear and sorted it out.  It’s the first day of hunting and it’s always like this. I did get the net tent up.  Laura doesn’t like mosquitoes so I got this skookum net tent with bright lime roof. Caravan Canopy Screen House10 ft by 10ft. I put it up myself. Only takes one person. Modern design and really light weight. I love it. Laura loves it. 

When I was all set up I headed out with Madigan on the ATV.  I had to go through a rancher’s field and open and close the barb wire fence.  Magpies and steller’s jays were in the trees. Maybe even a whiskey jack. I’d see all of those and more.  Lots of birds. We stopped where we did in the spring. Madigan is fine with rifles. I sited in the Ruger and it was good enough. Nice pattern a hundred years. A couple of inches high and to the right.  It was okay.  I tried the old and new ammunition and it was okay.  Then I shot an arrow from the Excalibur hitting in the second ring from bullseye, first shot standing, 30 yards. Good enough.  Madigan was having fun running around off leash.  

I just rode the Honda 420 all over the mountain.  I saw a rabbit.  I raised a covey of grouse and got pictures.  Grouse season opens in a week. I saw one doe climbing up the mountain.  No bear.  Lots of cows. I was surprised by two beautiful young women in a Jeep wearing cammo. I’d not heard them as the ATV motor the Jeep’s quiet engine. They stopped and smiled and we shared about seeing lots of cows. I don’t know if they were hunting but they could have been. First time then for me seeing two girls out hunting together.  Always two or more guys or a couple.  I came across them again near dusk when I was heading back. I’d stopped to scope a  black lump on a mountain side. They passed me while I was stopped. 

It was 8 pm when I got back.  Dark. I barbecued some steaks and we used the cold salads I’d bought in Princeton. A lovely meal.  Not much longer we were in bed and Madigan slept well.  The park was really quiet. I ‘d walked Madigan before I went to bed around 10.  Everyone was turned in by then except for a couple of campsites where folks were sitting around the dead fire pit talking quietly. There’s a fire ban. Madigan slept and I slept and Laura slept. It was a glorious sleep.

This morning I was up at 6 am but I didn’t get going till 7:30.  Dawn was 630 . Supposed to be in position ready to ambush the dear at dawn.  I actually got up the mountain and find a place to watch for deer.  Madigan was learning how to walk behind me and did his best to sit still. Not very good. He would get 3-5 minutes before his attention broke and he had to look at something or chew a pine cone or climb on me. He did well. Normally I’m meditative and don’t move at all waiting for deer.  I was distracted but last an hour and a half before I got back on the ATV.  I drove all over the mountain after that. I stopped to let Madigan have some pond water. I had a couple of stops for coffee. Scanning the valley an clearings.  It was chilly at first but warmed up.

More grouse.  a Rabbit .  Doves. No elk, deer or bear.  But. I was there.

I came down the mountain after noon.  It feels safe here and I didn’t mind leaving stuff on my ATV. I put the bow and rifle in the locked truck but didn’t feel the need to unload.  I’d just put a tarp over the ATV the night before and found nothing disturbed in the morning.

I’d been hankering after eggs and bacon so barbecued some back bacon while Laura made scrambled eggs. We ate together outside under the Screen Tent. 

I had a lovely shower.  It’s so dusty on the back trails.  I loved getting clean.  

Now I’ll head up for evening hunt in an hour or two.  I might have a nap first. It’s so peaceful here.  

Hunting weekend, Similkameen River, Riverhaven RV Park

Laura makes me feel ‘manly’.  I enjoying camping and hunting and feeling no shame in masculinity.  Toxic feminists seem to breed in the urban cafe but dwindle out where masculinity is appreciated.  Laura loves being in the camper and Madigan and I love being out on the Honda ATV in the woods.  It’s a lot of work to manage all the aspects of daily living. Water systems, heating and refridgeration, automotive, community, electricity, sewage.  It’s a whole different thing to be sitting in a space station city apartment with all the services vaguely ‘miraculously there.”

We’re not roughing it by any means. Laura stoically joined me for all the tenting days when I’d leave her with a rifle and go off bear hunting in bear country.  She stayed in the truck one time. Another time a freak snow storm collapsed the tent roof and I found her sitting inside beside the heater read. She loves to read.  Another time while myself and the guys were out hunting grouse one landed on the picnic table and she shot it with her 22.  We were skunked and she had the grouse.  

I love this Riverhaven RV Campground. It has all the services, electricity, city water supply, sewage.  We can also access the ATV trails and back woods off the RV site.  There’s a beach and all the kids are down there all day. Yesterday was hot and sunny. I’d thought to jump into the cool stream but missed my opportunity. Today it’s overcast. Lots of folk are down swimming and playing by the water. But I’m passing. I only like cold water when it’s hot and sunny outside. I did just get out of a heavenly hot shower in the Adventurer camper. I love the Adventurer Camper.  

It was all day getting out here on Thursday. We had errands in the morning, and had to load the camper at John’s.  I also had to hook up the Lowe’s Store Utility Trailer with the Honda 420 Tracker ATV.  There’s keys and locks for everything so it’s always a mental Alzheimer’s test trying to remember all the details.  I keep meaning to get a flight checklist but forget to do it only to have to remember again next time.  We’d stopped at Cabelas on the way out only to find there was almost no ammunition.  None for my rifles.  Thankfully I found what I wanted at Canadian tire.  30:06 180 grain Nussler Partition.  What a find? I bought four boxes.  I’ve not been able to find any for a year but luckily have had leftovers from previous years.  The 300 Win Mag Short is all sold out too.  

It’s bow hunting, dear and elk but rifle for bear hunting. I found the bear banger gifts but the ammo was sold out.  I got a solid lock for the new electric bicycle. I hadn’t brought the Vespa so if we didn’t have something we’d have to do with out.  I was thinking this when we got to Hope to provision.  At Chilliwack we noticed the price of gas is way up.  Being older and knowing the country before Trudeau’s waste and mismanagement I remember $100 paid for a weekend of gas. Now it’s more like $400. All the food prices have gone up too because of all the taxes on primary processes and inflation.  I’m okay.  I’m still working yet I no longer feel clean paying taxes. Paying the terrorist ten million dollars for killing the American medic never sat well with me. When my taxes went to roads, defence and hospitals I was okay. Not okay but now it’s scandalous.  All the people who don’t work and don’t want to work are being rewarded and we’re suffering more and more taxes and less and less income. Same with legal gun owners, high costs and impeccable behaviour while the criminals get a pass from the government. 

Oh well, I’m far from the maddening crowd.  I love it here. Families and children and no loud music. A really well run campground.  Lovely owners.  So helpful. 

At Hope I really loaded a lot of food.  People are stockpiling canned food again as fall is coming on and more and more shortages are appearing in the stores.  Other than ammo we’ve been fortunate.  I’ve used Amazon to get some sweet items for camping.  Motion sensitive portable lights.  Also a soft Kolpin ATV gear bag seat that’s just skookum.  I like Kolpin.  

The ride up through Manning Park was a delight on a sunny day.  It wasn’t at all like the smoky surreal world I passed through last month. There was still some smouldering fire at East gate. There had been major flames before and black billowing smoke. Now it was just a little grey smoke.  A last stop at the Princeton store for sandwich meats. That’s all I’d forgotten at Hope.

The refridgerator is working well again thanks to Nick at Far Out RV in Hope.  

We finally made it to Riverhaven at dusk. A beautiful river side site. Lots of room. I was able to put the trailer beside the Camper and Ford F-350.  We’d had MacDonald’s from Hope so weren’t hungry. I did eat a cold cheese burger left over and that satisfied me. Laura wasn’t hungry after the quarter pounder late afternoon. It was so quiet and the stars were out.  

Madigan cried half the night. He wanted to be on the bed. He was bored. He was upset. I woke at 2:30 am with a cramp, took him for a walk and downed several Alleve.  I slept in. 930 am.  

Yesterday was a great day.  I actually went through all the gear and sorted it out.  It’s the first day of hunting and it’s always like this. I did get the net tent up.  Laura doesn’t like mosquitoes so I got this skookum net tent with bright lime roof. Caravan Canopy Screen House10 ft by 10ft. I put it up myself. Only takes one person. Modern design and really light weight. I love it. Laura loves it. 

When I was all set up I headed out with Madigan on the ATV.  I had to go through a rancher’s field and open and close the barb wire fence.  Magpies and steller’s jays were in the trees. Maybe even a whiskey jack. I’d see all of those and more.  Lots of birds. We stopped where we did in the spring. Madigan is fine with rifles. I sited in the Ruger and it was good enough. Nice pattern a hundred years. A couple of inches high and to the right.  It was okay.  I tried the old and new ammunition and it was okay.  Then I shot an arrow from the Excalibur hitting in the second ring from bullseye, first shot standing, 30 yards. Good enough.  Madigan was having fun running around off leash.  

I just rode the Honda 420 all over the mountain.  I saw a rabbit.  I raised a covey of grouse and got pictures.  Grouse season opens in a week. I saw one doe climbing up the mountain.  No bear.  Lots of cows. I was surprised by two beautiful young women in a Jeep wearing cammo. I’d not heard them as the ATV motor the Jeep’s quiet engine. They stopped and smiled and we shared about seeing lots of cows. I don’t know if they were hunting but they could have been. First time then for me seeing two girls out hunting together.  Always two or more guys or a couple.  I came across them again near dusk when I was heading back. I’d stopped to scope a  black lump on a mountain side. They passed me while I was stopped. 

It was 8 pm when I got back.  Dark. I barbecued some steaks and we used the cold salads I’d bought in Princeton. A lovely meal.  Not much longer we were in bed and Madigan slept well.  The park was really quiet. I ‘d walked Madigan before I went to bed around 10.  Everyone was turned in by then except for a couple of campsites where folks were sitting around the dead fire pit talking quietly. There’s a fire ban. Madigan slept and I slept and Laura slept. It was a glorious sleep.

This morning I was up at 6 am but I didn’t get going till 7:30.  Dawn was 630 . Supposed to be in position ready to ambush the dear at dawn.  I actually got up the mountain and find a place to watch for deer.  Madigan was learning how to walk behind me and did his best to sit still. Not very good. He would get 3-5 minutes before his attention broke and he had to look at something or chew a pine cone or climb on me. He did well. Normally I’m meditative and don’t move at all waiting for deer.  I was distracted but last an hour and a half before I got back on the ATV.  I drove all over the mountain after that. I stopped to let Madigan have some pond water. I had a couple of stops for coffee. Scanning the valley an clearings.  It was chilly at first but warmed up.

More grouse.  a Rabbit .  Doves. No elk, deer or bear.  But. I was there.

I came down the mountain after noon.  It feels safe here and I didn’t mind leaving stuff on my ATV. I put the bow and rifle in the locked truck but didn’t feel the need to unload.  I’d just put a tarp over the ATV the night before and found nothing disturbed in the morning.

I’d been hankering after eggs and bacon so barbecued some back bacon while Laura made scrambled eggs. We ate together outside under the Screen Tent. 

I had a lovely shower.  It’s so dusty on the back trails.  I loved getting clean.  

Now I’ll head up for evening hunt in an hour or two.  I might have a nap first. It’s so peaceful here.  

Sunday, Returning home from Princeton camping weekend

I awoke at 430 am.  Madigan was still asleep. Payback. I got him up and out for an early morning pee.  Then back to bed. Prayer. Meditation. I’m awake.

I have a whole lot of moving parts to get stowed and on my way.  I began the chores.  My concern was the stairs caught on the tongue of the trailer. They’d slotted in when I stepped down. It made getting in and out of the trailer easier but I didn’t know how I was going to free it without damage.  Much to my surprise I had the garbage bagged, clothings stowed, and cabin pretty ship shape as I was making expresso coffee.

One of the reasons for getting out of bed, I was laying there considering staying, was the idea of writing this journal.  I like journaling. I like putting thoughts on paper. I think it connects me with my mother. She was my first fan. She celebrated my learning the alphabet and encouraged me to write.  I always think of that play put on by the high school, “I remember momma”.

I expect she would have preferred a conservative ‘normal’ kid. I was the radical intellectual with spiritual longings and ‘too smart for my own good’. . Now today I can be found wearing a dress or riding a Harley or sailing solo blue water or back in the wilderness with a rifle. 

She has Ron’s children and grandchildren. I’ve tried in marriage to have family, devoted 25 years to it.  I even was sperm tested to see if I was fertile, certainly one of the most humiliating experiences of my time.  Then a woman said she aborted my baby while I was prepared to be a father. It’s a rough life.  You can dwell on the negatives or celebrate the positives.

This morning there was chill in the air. It’s mid summer but at 4 am it was brisk on this mountain. The fragrance of the sweet morning air, the pink tinge of dawn light, all brought back a wealth of memories. All those other mornings when I was up with the dawn and feeling the chill and taking that first breath.

I am blessed to have a furnace in the camper. I turned it on because I could.  By the time the coffee was ready, the cabin was cozy warm and I turned off the furnace. I noticed the fridge was now down to 32 degrees.  It’s cold but it took a couple of days.  It used to be cold in a few hours. I must ask the fellow back to see if he can improve this.  I’m camping again in a few weeks.  This is good though. Nothing went bad.  Meat is frozen along with ice cream.

I’m sitting here in a jean skirt, sandals and a Spanish t shirt showing old buildings and red flowers which aren’t roses. I keep learning the names of flowers and trees only to forget them again.  I’ve learned and forgotten so much. Just thinking of anatomy and biochemistry astonishes me.  I love the memories of creating 3D pictures in the room with my mind of the structural compounds adding and subtracting elements to change the nature of the chemical properties.  I remember too when the unconscious was so new, learning all the internal process of the mind.  Today I’m considering the moving parts of getting my camper and truck underway.  I’m towing the ATV and it’s a 3 hour journey through the mountains. I ve done so many journeys.  My first hunting trip was to Whipsaw in the late 80’s with the VW Rabbit that I got stuck in the snow . I turned around and came home too poor and unwilling to risk the cost of sliding off the logging road. Over the years I’ve accumulated the equipment appropriate for the task and been truly blessed at times to be outfitted sufficiently. 

This weekend I hadn’t really planned to come out camping not knowing if the Camper Jacks would be repaired. Now here I am having had a magnificent time driving all around the back woods in my ATV with the dog in his box behind me.  He had a grin whenever I looked back. He was so happy too to jump out when I released his harness. He sniffed and peed everywhere.  So much boy and dog excitement.  Madigan, the cock apologize.

Yesterday rifle practice was good too. I loved target shooting with a captain one day who said he shot thousands of rounds a year to keep up his skills.  For him the government was paying for ammunition but the message wasn’t lost on me. I try to get out and shoot a few times in the summer to be ready for fall. I love the Ruger bolt action 223. That’s a great target practice round.  I was happy the 300 win mag was shooting true from the start.  The 300 win mag is probably $2 a bullet while the 223 is more like 75 cents.  Obvious 22 shells are only 10 cents when bought in bulk but I don’t find that I enjoy shooting the 22 as much as the 223.  Yet I remember as a child and young adult taking great pleasure and pride in endless target practicing with the 22. The culmination was when I was given 12 yo and given 22 shells in exchange for gophers by my grandfather and father when we were on his ranch one year.  I think I only missed once and shot a load of gophers.  

Now it’s time to go. I was afraid the steps would be a problem but after I lifted the happy jacks I was able to get them unhook by back the trailer up turning.  Now it’s just a few last things to stow and we’ll be on our way. It seemed for a moment to be overwhelming but I’m glad I’m up so early and will get breakfast at A&W.  My buddy is chewing on a store stick.  I barbecued a steak last night and we shared it.  It was good. I had no need of anything else but that and fruit salad dish.  

Sleep was wonderful. I feel really restored.  I love the light and shadows this morning. The slanting rays of the morning sun create such charm. I understand painters being so cognizant of the time of day.

Thank you Jesus for  another day. Help me to be closer to you. Help me to know you more Lord.  Friend.  

Sunday, Returning home from Princeton camping weekend

I awoke at 430 am.  Madigan was still asleep. Payback. I got him up and out for an early morning pee.  Then back to bed. Prayer. Meditation. I’m awake.

I have a whole lot of moving parts to get stowed and on my way.  I began the chores.  My concern was the stairs caught on the tongue of the trailer. They’d slotted in when I stepped down. It made getting in and out of the trailer easier but I didn’t know how I was going to free it without damage.  Much to my surprise I had the garbage bagged, clothings stowed, and cabin pretty ship shape as I was making expresso coffee.

One of the reasons for getting out of bed, I was laying there considering staying, was the idea of writing this journal.  I like journaling. I like putting thoughts on paper. I think it connects me with my mother. She was my first fan. She celebrated my learning the alphabet and encouraged me to write.  I always think of that play put on by the high school, “I remember momma”.

I expect she would have preferred a conservative ‘normal’ kid. I was the radical intellectual with spiritual longings and ‘too smart for my own good’. . Now today I can be found wearing a dress or riding a Harley or sailing solo blue water or back in the wilderness with a rifle. 

She has Ron’s children and grandchildren. I’ve tried in marriage to have family, devoted 25 years to it.  I even was sperm tested to see if I was fertile, certainly one of the most humiliating experiences of my time.  Then a woman said she aborted my baby while I was prepared to be a father. It’s a rough life.  You can dwell on the negatives or celebrate the positives.

This morning there was chill in the air. It’s mid summer but at 4 am it was brisk on this mountain. The fragrance of the sweet morning air, the pink tinge of dawn light, all brought back a wealth of memories. All those other mornings when I was up with the dawn and feeling the chill and taking that first breath.

I am blessed to have a furnace in the camper. I turned it on because I could.  By the time the coffee was ready, the cabin was cozy warm and I turned off the furnace. I noticed the fridge was now down to 32 degrees.  It’s cold but it took a couple of days.  It used to be cold in a few hours. I must ask the fellow back to see if he can improve this.  I’m camping again in a few weeks.  This is good though. Nothing went bad.  Meat is frozen along with ice cream.

I’m sitting here in a jean skirt, sandals and a Spanish t shirt showing old buildings and red flowers which aren’t roses. I keep learning the names of flowers and trees only to forget them again.  I’ve learned and forgotten so much. Just thinking of anatomy and biochemistry astonishes me.  I love the memories of creating 3D pictures in the room with my mind of the structural compounds adding and subtracting elements to change the nature of the chemical properties.  I remember too when the unconscious was so new, learning all the internal process of the mind.  Today I’m considering the moving parts of getting my camper and truck underway.  I’m towing the ATV and it’s a 3 hour journey through the mountains. I ve done so many journeys.  My first hunting trip was to Whipsaw in the late 80’s with the VW Rabbit that I got stuck in the snow . I turned around and came home too poor and unwilling to risk the cost of sliding off the logging road. Over the years I’ve accumulated the equipment appropriate for the task and been truly blessed at times to be outfitted sufficiently. 

This weekend I hadn’t really planned to come out camping not knowing if the Camper Jacks would be repaired. Now here I am having had a magnificent time driving all around the back woods in my ATV with the dog in his box behind me.  He had a grin whenever I looked back. He was so happy too to jump out when I released his harness. He sniffed and peed everywhere.  So much boy and dog excitement.  Madigan, the cock apologize.

Yesterday rifle practice was good too. I loved target shooting with a captain one day who said he shot thousands of rounds a year to keep up his skills.  For him the government was paying for ammunition but the message wasn’t lost on me. I try to get out and shoot a few times in the summer to be ready for fall. I love the Ruger bolt action 223. That’s a great target practice round.  I was happy the 300 win mag was shooting true from the start.  The 300 win mag is probably $2 a bullet while the 223 is more like 75 cents.  Obvious 22 shells are only 10 cents when bought in bulk but I don’t find that I enjoy shooting the 22 as much as the 223.  Yet I remember as a child and young adult taking great pleasure and pride in endless target practicing with the 22. The culmination was when I was given 12 yo and given 22 shells in exchange for gophers by my grandfather and father when we were on his ranch one year.  I think I only missed once and shot a load of gophers.  

Now it’s time to go. I was afraid the steps would be a problem but after I lifted the happy jacks I was able to get them unhook by back the trailer up turning.  Now it’s just a few last things to stow and we’ll be on our way. It seemed for a moment to be overwhelming but I’m glad I’m up so early and will get breakfast at A&W.  My buddy is chewing on a store stick.  I barbecued a steak last night and we shared it.  It was good. I had no need of anything else but that and fruit salad dish.  

Sleep was wonderful. I feel really restored.  I love the light and shadows this morning. The slanting rays of the morning sun create such charm. I understand painters being so cognizant of the time of day.

Thank you Jesus for  another day. Help me to be closer to you. Help me to know you more Lord.  Friend.  

Princeton, in the mountains

I’ve had a spectacular day of play in the wilderness. I was up at 630 thanks to Madigan but I didn’t actually leave my camp on the ATV till 930. I enjoyed toast and coffee and messed about.  It’s always a surprise when I dig about in the camper finding stuff I stowed last fall.

On the ATV we just rode and rode, stopping here and there for Madigan to walk about and get a drink from the creeks.  I also shared my bottled water. I sited in the Winchester Coyote at 100 yards making a sufficient pattern first shots.  I’d later shoot some more and group them all in a few inches. I was just glad I’d hit a bear or deer at 100 yards if I’d just pulled the rifle out. It’s my back up rifle. I have the Ruger 30:06 stainless steel (Sexcaliber) as my main rifle.  It was my first stainless steels and when it came out of the box it caught the light just so I thought of Excalibur. My friend Bill, said, ‘it’s sexy, that’s for sure.”  That’s when it got it’s name Sexcaliber

I saw one rabbit, a big brown one.

I had expected I might see bear or deer but the heat is so bad everything is in hiding in the shade.  

Back at the camper at 130 I had sandwiches and Madigan slept. It’s a full day for him. So much excitement. I had a shower and that cooled me off. It’s really hot and dry.  Forest fire season.

Later I took the Ruger bolt action 223 and the 300 win mag over to where someone has a metal table top for a back drop for target practice.  I was at 50 yards and show off about 30 shots getting a nice grouping even though they’re slightly right of centre. I’d adjust the sites but the next time I shot I’ll be slightly off still.  I’ve a little pulll on the trigger. It doesn’t happen in motion or at the range. Only when I’m leaning across my ATV or up against my truck. It’s the grouping that counts.  Everything is fine.  Better pattern than earlier with the Winchester.

I then explored a whole new area of the mountain I’d not been in years. I ‘ll definitely come back there for deer in fall sometime.  

I took off my shirt while I driving the ATV.   Now my back is all red.I’ve got steak soaking in Lea and Perkins.  The ATV is already loaded. I figure I’ll head back first thing in the morning.  Wake up and  go.

Riverhaven Motel and RV Park

We are so happy with Riverhaven RV Park just past Princeton, near Heldey on the Number 3 highway. I booked a full service spot for our truck camper weeks ago. 4 nights over Easter weekend. Laura has been exhausted with so many demands at her medical clinic from so many immunocompromised patients with anxiety about Covid. Only a couple of months back their nurse contracted Covid so everyone was quarantined for a week. Fortunately only the nurse tested positive and recovered quickly. Masks and anxiety and constant concern about sanitizing,for over a year,  has taken its toll.Laura and I are at least thankful we’ve had the vaccine.

I’ve been working virtual but am now back in the clinics part time. So much despair, depression and anxiety. Families breaking up, people relapsing or succumbing to drug and alcohol, suicide attempts and confusion with conflicting messages. We both were looking forward almost desperately to this vacation.

We had to load the Adventurer  camper and tow the new Lowe’s Utility trailer carrying the new Honda 420 Rancher ATV. So many moving parts. Dewinterizing the RV, testing Hester and pumps and water systems. Everything working. We left  we left Vancouver at 10 am and I overshot our destination going an hour further to Keremeos. We finally arrived at 5 pm with the sun still out. I was pooped to say the least with the first trip of the season.

We pulled into Riverhaven RV camp elated. It felt like my off shore sailing days when I’d finally reach a safe harbour. The young folk at the office were just so welcoming. A beautiful lady and a fine young man. He walked ahead of me to show me the site. Just perfect. I wasn’t sure how I’d get in with the utility trailer but an older gentleman, still much younger than me, suggested I unload the ATV, unhitch the trailer and back my truck and camper into the spot. My brain wasn’t working after the long drive and loved the caring suggestions. I was in. There was room to hand maneuver the trailer and a place to put the ATV.  I was so thankful for the efficient help. Then he was gone, almost like A super hero. I’m not good at backing anything up, especially when I come off a long drive.

The campground was pristine. All the hook ups appeared relatively new. All the signs fresh painted. Laura liked that there was room between us and our neighbours. I had the struts up and the camper leveled, shore electricity and city water attached. I’d attach the sewage hose the next day. 

It’s really a family centered place with quiet after 11. Dogs welcome but on a leash. Outdoor fires in spots on site and a ready supply of wood brought round each day. The Similkameen River runs below the campsite with a sand beach alongside it. There’s games and a small gift and canteen in the office. 

Because of Covid everyone was in their bubble and frankly we liked that. I felt like I was at Disney though having not seen so many children for along time. Big rigs, buses and toy haulers each seemed to have two or three children and at least one dog. There were the Europeans, too, I think Germans, a group of four enjoying outdoor dining and  fireside laughter.  They’re consummate campers.

I barbecued steaks and boiled carrots and potatoes with butter and sour cream. Another night pork chops and salads. Another night ribs. I like to barbecue and Madigan and Laura don’t discourage me. The air was so fresh. The  campground is in a spruce and fir grove. Birds are plentiful. We woke to birdsong and the scent of woodsmoke and bacon. It inspired me to fry up bacon sandwiches. Another morning I fried eggs. No restaurant is as good as the food you cook yourself in the great outdoors.

Each afternoon I loaded up the Honda 420 with camera, guns, pack sack and Madigan with his harness attached to a box. There a trail that leads out from the campsite up the mountain. I had to open and close a barb wire fence gate then I was able to head across the lower steppes to connect with the forest service road that goes over the mountain for miles. 

This Honda is the fourth generation of ATv’s Previously I had a Polaris, The great Yamaha 450 quad, the terrific Honda Pioneer 500 side by side, and now after a typical intermittent stint with 2 wheel off road motorcycle, this last one, a KTM690 , I’m back to 4 wheels with a place for Madigan. 

I just love the Honda 420 Rancher even if I had to look up on internet how to get the emergency brake to work. At Riverhaven there were several others with ATv’s. Across from us the young couple with young children had the amazingly futuristic Polaris Razor side by side. Others  had older quads or side by sides. We’d see them head out and come back or we’d pass each other on the top of the mountain where trails go for miles. I’d explored these years before with the Yamaha in fall. Late fall is when the hunting is good on the far side of the mountain, This side there’s no hunting private land and the ATV’s keep the game and hunters on the far side of the mountain. This was my first time up here early spring with snow still on the ground and the air chilly compared to the valley

Madigan my 6 month old Cockapoo puppy loved being with me on the quad. I’d brought my 20 guage /22 combo rifle and the 30:06. I wanted to introduce Madigan’s to guns. It’s a big moment in a haunting dogs life. Madigan passed the test with aplomb.. The first 22 shot startled him but once he realized I’d made the noise, he stood beside my leg for another 5 shots. I continued with the 20 guage shot gun firing off two shots that didn’t phase him. I could tell he thought the Ruger 30:06 was loud. I find it loud but again he was nonplussed even though I fired off several shots. Madigan was a gun dog. He’d passed his gun trials with flying colors, He was  so pleased that I was so pleased with him. My big little boy!We ate a can of sardines together at the top of the mountain later. It’s good to have a hunting buddy.

Each morning I wrote a chapter of the book I’m working on, typing out about 5 pages each day. There’s internet and cell coverage so I was able to handle emergencies from the clinic and keep in touch with patients. Laura has loved reading, drinking coffee and walking around this very peasant safe camp ground. The owners house is right there and they walk about and deliver wood. They are not at all chatty intrusive sorts just observant and available. 

When Madigan bit through his harness and escaped from his box today everyone whistled so I looked and there was the little escape artist on the road by the side of the ATV. I was thankful people watched out for each other. It’s that kind of place. Madigan spent the afternoon being spoiled by Laura who calls him ‘her baby’. After passing his gun trials I was glad he was spoiled. Without him on the Honda I confess I sped faster and made more daring climbs.

 I sighted in the Ruger .223. I keep my rifles in storage so gathering them in for this outing was one of the things I had to fit into my week of clinical work as well. I forgot a clip so had to use the rifle as a single shot. All the rules of storing rifles with multiple locks and separate from the ammo resulted in me without the clip. Despite that I awkwardly loaded single shot and confirmed that all my rifles were shooting okay, roughly the same as when I’d used them last fall. I saw one other fellow target practicing in the backwoods, thinking we were probably the only ones at Riverhaven who were ostensibly hunting. If I’d seen a bear I might have shot it. But I didn’t see anything but Chickadees, Magpies and Clark’s nutcrackers.. I enjoy photography as much as hunting at this point in my life and am glad that I didn’t have to drag game out of the forest and do the work of butcher. The last bear I shot took me 6 hours to get it out of the woods and skinned and butchered from the time I shot it. I confess I’m happy to rest on my laurels as a hunter. My favourite hunting remains upland bird and I can tell already that Madigan is going to be a great grouse dog like his cockapoo predecessor Gilbert. Gilbert chewed off his harness when he was a pup too. I just have to learn to take it off him after he’s been riding in the vehicles.

Laura and I are so thankful for the care, cleanliness and hospitality and Riverhaven. It’s been an immensely re energizing vacation around the best of people. The air is filled  with the  exquisite scent of evergreens and mountain stream. It is so fresh it makes Sleeping idyllic. We look up through the ceiling hatch at spruce and star studded skies.

It’s Easter too. Today is eastern Sunday. Christ has risen. Hallelujah! Normally we’d be a church and the north shore round up. But here we are taking a much needed break from Covid in God’s cathedral of trees. Hallelujah, Christ is risen!