Tuesday, July 25/2017

Big River

Today, was a "jeep" ride day.  We took Casey's little jeep and headed down the North Road.  We accessed the Big River Grid and headed towards several lakes in the area.  Our first stop was at the access to Poplar Ridge Lake.  A great lake that is loaded with trout.  Unfortunately, the access was blocked by a huge water puddle and with the jeep not equipped with a winch, to enter the water, not knowing what the bottom was like would be foolish.  It would be a very LONG walk home and no one was interested in entertaining that thought.  Fortunately, John was on board with this line of thinking and  turned around.  By the time we made it the few hundred yards back to the grid, the truck was heating and needed a "bit of a rest"!!  Well, it was time for a refreshment anyway!!
We were soon underway and John turned down the road that eventually would access Green Lake. Before too long, we were once again stopped by a huge water puddle.  Again, the dilemma presents its self - do we enter the unknown or do we turn around!!!    Once again, John made the right decision......we turned around!!  I really hate not having a winch on the truck but this little jeep of Casey's is in the "early" stages of  its four wheeling life!!
We continued on down the road and accessed the trail head that would lead us to Hunter Lake.  We knew that we would be unable to get to the lake but there was an awesome lookout point at the start of the trail that was accessible and we headed for that.   It was an easy trail and we were soon at the stop where we could overlook the river.  It was time to just sit and enjoy the scenery and the peace and quiet that is so often associated with this Northern Forest.

Overlooking the river

Watching a family of ducks - does it get any better?

While sitting on the hill, we decided that it was time to brave the trail to Hunter Lake on the quads and thought that the weekend would be an ideal time to do it.  Maybe Dave, Shirley and Gary would join us.
From the hill over the river, we continued on and wound up at Bug Lake.  It is a nice little lake that contains northern pike and pickeral.  Gary and I have fished here a few times.

Kelly and Marie at Bug Lake

Kelly

With another refreshment stop behind us, we left the road and headed down a trail that would take us past Twin Lakes and the base of Mystery Hill.  It was a nice trail and popped us back out onto the road that ran past Lac Eau Claire.  We accessed another trail off the road and found ourselves on the hill overlooking part of Lac Eau Claire (Clearwater Lake).

Clear Water Lake

Always messing around

Supergirl pose

Goofing around on the hill

From Clearwater, we hit the trail that would lead us to Huard Lake.  We were soon enjoying yet another refreshment break.  Kelly was running out of cigarettes (and she is quite bitchy when that happens!) so we had to send an SOS to Gary. With any luck, we would be able to contact him and have him meet us on the North Road with the much needed cigarettes!!  Luck was on our side and we did manage to get through and we were soon headed down the trail towards the North Road and the cigarettes!!
The only obstacle in our way now was the "bridge" over the beaver run and the surrounding the marsh.  Hopefully it will be sturdy enough for the jeep!!  I know the kids crossed it with their jeeps but it is always a worry for me.
We arrived unscathed at the corner of Tower Road and the North Road expecting to see Gary there but he was not.   Shit, Oh Dear......Kelly was REALLY needing a cigarette!!
He headed for home, not seeing Gary and were soon in the yard where Kelly was able to get to her pack of smokes and soon after.......all was good with the world!!  LOL  "I really need to quit smoking" was all that Kelly said and both John and I agreed!!
Gary arrived back at the house and told us he had gone down into Vimy to find us instead of the Tower Road and that is why we had missed him.  Oh well, Kelly had her cigarettes and now it was time to think about starting supper.

John and his "selfies"!!

At Huard Lake

Kelly decided to share her recipe for Mushroom Gravy that her Dad perfected so supper was Kelly's deal tonight.   She got busy cutting her portabello mushrooms and sauteed them with butter, onion and a ton of dillweed.  Oh dear,  that smelt soooo very good.
We had perogies and farmer sausage for supper smothered with mushroom gravy.  It was beyond delicious.

What u cooking Kelly?

We spent the rest of the evening in the mancave watching TV and relaxing.  It had been a good day and the quiet of the rest of the evening was awesome.    Life is Good!!