Ice Fishing

Huts are popping up all over the lake and ice fishing has started with a vengeance. Thickness of the ice is about 5", and yesterday, my dad caught a fish so big, he almost couldn't get it out of the hole!

The bonus to ice fishing on Dragon Lake - the fish aren't muddy at this time of year, and you can still catch the big lunkers!

Snow and Swans

Winter is officially here. Last night we had our first snow fall of the season, and although it is already melting, I know that more is on the way.

We were paid our annual pre-winter visit by the swans yesterday. Even though their visit often coincides with snow, it's always nice to see them as they scare away the geese. I know that swans are just as, if not more, aggressive as geese - but there are also only four of them and about 100 geese. They also don't wear out their welcome as they are often only here for a few days at the most.

It's very cool to watch the four swans swimming towards the geese to temporarily claim the lake shore. The geese try to act tough for as long as they can, but fly away when the geese get to about 100 feet away. There is plenty of posturing on both sides during the confrontation and it's almost like two gangs meeting on the street.

Plans for today include: staying off the roads until the snow is completely gone, lighting the wood stove, making a batch of Chai tea and getting some homework done while I watch life unfold out my kitchen window.- R

Remembrance Day

Tomorrow the kids and I will head down to the Cenotaph downtown. We will remember those who have fallen while protecting our country and the liberty of others.

I will think of my great grandpa, whom I never got to meet, as well as all the hardships that were endured by the loved ones who survived.

We will think of those who are still sacrificing their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

Tomorrow, at eleven o'clock, please make sure you take a few minutes to remember.

Where has the summer gone?

I know that my posts have been rather erratic. Not the best method to garner more readers, but between Facebook, Twitter and the blog, I start to wonder if I have anything interesting left to say!

September and the end of summer always seems to catch me off guard. Although I adore the freedom of summer, fall is my favourite season. I love how a sunny fall day can have a crispness in the air that makes you feel hot and cold all at the same time.

We have had a beautiful second half of the month and everyone is happy to be out on the lake in the sunshine. Sadly, I can count on one hand the times that I've made it out on the lake this year and will have to work harder at making sure we all stop and take a look around once in awhile. We are very lucky that the kids help us out as much as they do and hopefully it gets easier as they get older.

I have been putting off cutting back the perennials and tossing the annuals as I still like the look of their yellowing foliage. Some of them are still blooming and I like to keep the summer flowers around as long as I possibly can. I usually tend to wait just a tad too long though, and am really trying hard to find that perfect day between our warm Indian Summer and cold miserable snow to get the job done. Having to pour hot water over your frozen solid annual pots, just so you can dump them and keep your ceramic pots from cracking, is not a fun chore.

As we start to put the business to bed for the winter, we can't help but start to think about next season already. There's always big plans in the works, and hopefully we have the time to accomplish them in the spring before the season is upon us. Fingers crossed for another early ice off! - Robin

August

August has been a busy month so far, we had some beautiful weddings in the heart garden, best wishes to those that got married.

We were booked solid for August long weekend, I hope it is at least half as good for September long weekend.As people start to get their children ready for school which goes back in session in less than a month, things will start to slow down. We have had visitors form everywhere, we had a couple all the way from Australia just the other day. So we enjoy hearing where you're from and how far you have traveled to come see us. We also enjoy seeing the B.C. and the Alberta travelers.

But wild fires have slowed down on the traveling a little bit, the weather has been a little nasty, with the smoke and the ash. There are days that we can't see the lake through the smoke. At least the fires are not too close so we don't have to worry too much. Our thoughts are with the ones that the fires are effecting! But we do like see the die hard campers that will come rain or smoke.

So we are looking forward to seeing the campers that are planning on coming to see us in the next couple of months. - B

July

July was an exciting month at Robert's Roost. We were at full capacity for much of it, and had to turn away several campers who were caught unaware during Billy Barker Days.

Dog Agility camps and trials again took place for about 14 days. Our campers got to watch these amazing dogs and their handlers go over ladders, through tunnels, over jumps and weave in and out of poles. The weather was smoking hot and everyone got maybe a bit more of a workout than they wanted! By the end of the camp (put on by Kim Collins @ Pawsitive Steps) there were probably more than a few campers who were happy to head home to their own beds!

Quesnel's annual summer festival, Billy Barker Days, happened to occur during the camp, and we welcomed many more visitors to the park. We stayed home for the majority of the weekend as we were busy, but we did manage to take the kids down to the park to watch the fireworks after we closed the office on Sunday night.

The month of July was hot and dry, and many fires started around the Cariboo at the end of the month. All were caused by lightning and most of BC is on a campfire ban. The air quality has been touch and go lately with some days better than others. On the worst day I was looking out my window and I would almost trick myself into believing that it was winter! We received a large amount of rain last night, and again today, so hopefully it will help put out the fires.

For any of our fishermen coming to visit us this fall, the lake level is awfully low right now and the surface temperature has been similar to bath water. Here's hoping for a little bit more of this cool weather and rain (never thought I'd hear myself say that) and a better snow pack this winter. The fish are still biting, but not with any frequency.

At the moment I am content to listen to the rain, drink my tea and watch the children play.

Future Politician

As I am watching a storm blow in over the lake, I am reminded about how much I love living here. Not only do I get to see beautiful, awe-inspiring scenery, I also get to meet people from all over the world. Some of our returning guests have become great friends and we look forward to their yearly visits.

Tonight as the storm was just starting to make its presence felt, my husband came in the office to ask me if I had checked a camper into the back field. I had responded that I hadn't, but that I would check the computer as we had help here today and we may have a guest that I am yet not aware of. We usually like to make sure we know who every single person is in the park at all times as it can be a security issue.

After a quick check, his suspicions were confirmed. There was no one staying with us in a tenting site. The reason for his query is that he had just spoken with a gentleman at the water/sani-dump station who was filling numerous 5 gallon jugs with our treated water. His vehicle was not familiar and my husband had made the comment that he seemed to be in need of a large quantity of water. He was told that since they were staying with us in an unserviced site they needed it. That's fine with us, but it did make us wonder what he could possibly need with that much water over the course of a night. At about this point we started to think that maybe he was a great storyteller and we were a captive audience.

We do not like to jump to conclusions, however, so I went to go see if I recognized him. I didn't. By this time he was making his way to the showers where his wife had been, and I found myself in the uncomfortable position of having to let him know that we do not permit use of the facilities by people not staying here. Now he owns a large holiday rambler and they were just checking out the park to make sure that it's large enough to accommodate their large turning radius. He then proceeded to stay parked by the shower house to see if I would leave. I didn't and he eventually gave up. Did I mention that it was raining?

Later on our drive tonight, we noticed this guy (notice how he is no longer called a gentleman?) parked at the local WalMart parking lot. If you prefer to boondock in parking lots during your travels, that is up to you. What that means though is that you get all the perks that come with not paying for your site. Level parking spot... check. Shopping for all your supplies at the crack of dawn... check. What it does not entitle you to is a hot shower and treated water at the RV Park down the road. RV Parks across North America are disappearing at an alarming rate because they are finding it more and more difficult to compete with free. For $30/night (the most expensive site) you could have hooked up your water and sewer hose, hooked into our cable to catch up on all your favourite shows and surfed the net to your hearts content. You also could have woken up to the sound of the loons in the morning and watched the mist rise off the lake as you enjoyed your morning coffee. Instead, you chose to freeze your butt off in the rain as you stood there with a hose crouched in the back of your pickup truck. You also went without a shower... again. On the flip side though, you did get to go back to your half a million dollar coach parked in the local parking lot. Lucky you. You are also getting more and more adept at telling your tall tales. Maybe by the end of your trip you will have all the experience necessary to start your political career.

If you would have just been honest and come into the office, we would have shown you around and treated you like a guest. We love the challenge that comes with converting the hardcore parking lot fanatics, and I am proud to say that we have a very high success rate. -R

Saving the Tree.... We hope.

The giant willow tree beside the picnic shelter has been the backdrop to many great adventures at Robert's Roost. Children love sitting on its' large, bench-like branches and often have to be coerced down by parents when it's time for supper.

Over the years, the weight of the rather large limbs have become too much for the tree, and it developed a large crack down the trunk. It was now a safety issue. We did not want to lose this gem of a tree, so we called in the expert. Thank you Kevin for taking the tree down to a more manageable size. The kids can now spend many more years playing on and around their favourite willow tree.

Update

I can't believe that it has been over a month since our last post. Since then we have had a full campground which makes finding the time to post a little challenging. We have had work crews here working the pulp mill shut down, visitors from Europe discovering this wonderful province of ours, a large wedding, May long weekend, and visits from lots of our long term guests.

The beginning of May brought some of the best fishing that many people have ever had on Dragon Lake. Last week was pretty slow due to colder weather and choppy water, but it is starting to pick up a bit again today to to a large hatch.

I have managed to get out in the kayak a total of two times this year (once with my son and once with Keith) and we have taken a tour of the lake a few times in the boat once the office closes. Thank goodness for longer days!

So far we have had a great start to year and I have absolutely no complaints in the weather department. Except of course for the morning of snow a few weeks ago. That I could have lived without! We are looking forward to a great summer full of Dog Agility Camp, Billy Barker Days and hot days relaxing in the sun. We are booking up fast, so if you are thinking of coming to see us for a few days, make sure you make an advance reservation. -R

And the Winner is....

Okay, so maybe we didn't win a Grammy or an Oscar, but for a campground it's pretty cool. Due to our 4W rating in the '2010 Woodall's North American Directory', we received a certificate to acknowledge this achievement.

According to the letter that came with it, only 25% of privately owned parks in the 2010 edition attained this rating, and we just keep getting better.

What more encouragement do you need to come check us out?

Balance

This year will be our third summer operating Robert's Roost. Although we knew it would be a lifestyle change, the first year caught us totally off guard. We were already used to working long hours at our previous job, but had the convenience of working in a location with an onsite restaurant. This helped ensure that our children actually got fed. They were even able to eat healthy food due to all the homemade soups and sandwiches. Unfortunately it also taught them the phrase, "Just put it on Mom and Dad's tab." Being here, we had to actually make the effort to eat. It was a common occurence to be reminded by the kids at nine o'clock at night that we haven't had dinner yet. We became best friends with every delivery driver in town!

We were lucky enough to have great staff to help us through the first few years and we are getting better at not trying to do everything ourselves. We even went out on the boat a few times last year! Although we are starting to find the balance between family and work time we still feel like we don't spend enough time with the kids over the summer holiday. This has led Keith to the conclusion that we need to take them for a mini-vacation sometime before they head back to school.

I said I was getting better at letting go, not that I was cured! There are just too many things that can happen unexpectedly. Electrical outlets needing immediate replacement, water lines bursting, internet shutting down, hot water heater needing a little TLC, boat motors needing tweaking, campers needing to locate an after hours vet at three in the morning, etc... etc... etc.... We can't leave all that for our employees!

Maybe I can talk him into a nice vacation in Hixon....

As I was browsing through Quesnel's local book store, I happened upon Brian Smith's book, 'Fly Fishing BC's Interior'. In this guide, Brian shares information on local fishing spots as well as fly tying patterns and fishing techniques. Some of the lakes he writes about in the Quesnel area are: 10 Mile, Bellos, Bishop (Brown), Marmot, Fishpot, the Blackwater River and Tributaries as well as my personal favourite, Dragon Lake.

As I read the book, I was starting to think that the author, is a very knowledgeable man. I had pretty much come to this conclusion already, but when I read this sentence, there was no doubt left in my mind as to the infinite wisdom of Brian Smith. "The accommodation at Robert's Roost on Dragon Lake is the finest among the region's campgrounds (see website at www.robertsroostcampsite.ca)." Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

If you are planning on fishing the waters of the Central Interior or North Cariboo, I highly suggest picking up a copy of this book. And Brian, if you are planning on staying with us again, we would love to have you in for a glass of celebratory wine.

Congratulations on the fantastic book! - Robin & Keith.

Good News...

Well, I have some good news and I have some bad news. The Good news is that the winds have been blowing the ice off the lake at a phenomenal speed.

The bad news is that it has been blowing it this way!

Spring Fishing?

So far our 'official' (so long as the weather co-operates) opening date for the RV sites is April 10. We have been receiving lots of phone calls from eager fishermen who are just itching to get out fishing, and the number one question on everyone's mind right now is, 'When will the ice be off the lake?'

I just checked Environment Canada's website, and this is their forcast for the next few days:

Tonight: Cloudy. A few showers beginning this evening. Low plus 5.

Friday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High 12.

Friday night: Cloudy periods. Becoming cloudy near midnight. Low plus 3.

Saturday: Cloudy. High 12.

Sunday: Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. Low plus 5. High 10.

Monday: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low zero. High 9.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Low minus 1. High 10.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 2. High 10.

My guess is that with the rain and warmer evening temperatures that the ice on Dragon Lake will not be long for this world.

Keep an eye on our webcam to see the ice disapear from your favourite fishing spot. Who knows, maybe you'll even see a trout jump in the next few weeks!

Never a Good Thing

So, I've been thinking...

I would like an aviary for our little bird. I do not like birds and find them particularly scary out in the open. (This is due in a large part to watching Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 movie, 'The Birds' and then being attacked by an army of crows).

Although I do not like birds, I ended up with one from my children. And, scary as they can be out in the open, it is even more sad to see them in a cage. He has a very large cage as it is, but I think he might need to have an outdoor aviary built for him so he can be in it on summer days. He should also have a few friends that aren't plastic.

So, unfortunately for Keith, my $10 bird is going to turn into about $200 in materials, hours of his time (What? You didn't think I could build it, did you?), and almost every ounce of patience he has left.

I shall add it to the rather lengthy list of projects that I've thought of this winter. -R

Not as Smart as I Think I Am

Alright, as much as this pains me to admit... there is something that I don't know. Normally if there is something I don't know, I like to say it is because I don't want to know - if that makes any sense. I have been told this is a little bit of an annoying trait to have, but it also comes in handy as I will usually search and search until I find the answer myself.

Yesterday and today I have successfully fried my eyes as well as my brain with countless hours in front of the computer monitor. Result? Frustration - level 100, answers - 0.

What could I be searching for you ask? I am trying very unsuccessfully to do what bloggers all around the world have no problem with. Enabling comments.

I have gone to settings and then to the comments tab. I have checked all the appropriate boxes, and still...no comments. I would say, 'Please leave me a comment if you know what I'm doing wrong,' but I think we all know the futility in that! Maybe it's due to the fact that I've changed my background from my original template, but so far my sentiment for the day is, EEEEEYOG!

March... In like a ?

We have all heard the March saying of, 'In like a lion, out like a lamb' and vice versa. This year has me stumped. Did it come in like a lion or a lamb?

We had a few beautiful days, no doubt about it, and the snow is almost melted, but the cold winter wind and freezing nightly temperatures are letting us know that winter is not quite finished with us yet. Is it just wishful thinking that has me questioning the 'In like a lamb' scenario?

For one, we did not have the crazy amount of snow that we had last year, and secondly we have had a lot of wind lately. Wind gets rid of snow quickly, right? Maybe it's just a combination of these two things, and not the balmy temperatures we had for a few weeks that made everyone think of spring.

I am craving the flowers and sunshine that herald the arrival of spring and am ready for Old Man Winter to disappear. Unfortunately, I also have a teensy amount of a realist hiding deep inside me somewhere. This is after all the Cariboo, and am anticipating the very ugly 'out like a lion'. If it's spring I'm after, I may have to move to find it. For anyone who might be looking for me in the next few weeks, you can find me at my new residence: the blue tent at the end of aisle 3, Greenhouse number 4, Richbar Nursery.