Cabin Lake is more than just a place of serene beauty – it is a gateway to an important piece of BC history.  We get to enjoy our outdoor lands, the trails, the trees & the mountains but one must take a moment to step back and realize the sacrifices that are given in order to protect that.  Cabin Lake is the portal to the Heather Basin Trail – about 2 hours from here you will find the remnants of the plane wreck of a fallen Hero – Eric Yuill. 

He was flying a Conair bomber through these mountains in 1974 helping fight the forest fires that were ravaging the trees – helping those that were on the ground  - There is a Geocache there dedicated to him – and we highly recommend making the effort to see the plane even if you’re not a geocacher.  An account of our adventure from Sept of 08 can be found here : Conair @ Stoyoma.

Before I move on to our motley crew – I want to recount the words that we recently heard from a someone who has a personal recount –

I was at the Blue Lake resort the day that the plane went down. He buzzed over us a few times and we could tell he was having difficulties. I was with the Forestry fire suppression crew boss and he was relaying the bombers position to the tanker base at Abbotsford, Unfortunately the pilot was unable to find any clear sky. He was reported overdue about an hour later and as I recall was not located for about three weeks.(anynSR.)

When you reflect on some of the prices that have been paid to allow us to be where we most want to be it provides that sobering reality of how lucky we are here to enjoy it in its fullest.  And now back to our motley crew…. Lol

We had all pulled into Cabin Lake, tired but excited to be here.  There were actual designated places here to set up the lights!  I never knew how much of a difference picnic tables could make to people.  There was no generator now that had stayed behind with Danny, but we did have the grill.  Bruce went to work looking for an alternate source for the lights to glow, alas my new inverter wouldn’t do any good – should have gotten the 1000 Watt one to also run a blender.. he he

Up at Cabin Lake you’ll find 2 Geocaches, 5 picnic tables & The Outhouse.  Now I personally know how grateful everyone was to have that outhouse and the first night it wasn’t so bad, no horror movie would be written the first night – but alas tomorrow morning.. just wait.  Tmax brought out the Ammo boxes that were filled with.. Ammo.. still confused on why you would put Ammo in an Ammo box – they’re meant to hold either 12 cans of beer with ice or log books to be hidden in the forest.. lol

People scattered around making the best use of the space and allowing everyone to be close together, they were taking in the beauty and how lucky they were to be here.  Some chatted about running around to the other side and climbing to the top of the peak.   I sat back and watched the action thinking how little effort we have to put into moving camp with the suburban.  We pull out a table & 3 totes and we’re done.

Little Rob sat up his tent, and seemed so excited to be here – Rob & Jessica took another quick dip in the lake (amazing what a guy will do anything under the influence of a woman.. lol )  Tmax set up the big boy toys,  Bruce set up his Command Centre and people settled in for another night.  The mosquitos were not nestled all snug in their bed as they were starting to smell the scent of fresh blood.  Alas there was no fire as of yet.  Where are all the good guys when you need them?  Oh right priorities – Shooting the big gun.. lol

Terry & his wife settled in under the trees, Kranium got his place picked out – Razman settled in near the rest of us, Bob & Rob, Nick & his Dad, Sam & his wife, as well as with Beast & the others (forgive me on the names please still trying to keep track of all the new people!). 

As Jordy set up the tarps I watched from the back as the big booooooms happened.  Glad that they clarified that there was no one over there first, and no avalanches occurred so all was good.  After they stopped playing with the toys a few of the crew made a dash around the mountain and climbed to the top of the peak – it is an amazing place where the views are astounding

I brought over our chairs and then gathered the kindling and made a fire, the peanut gallery of course putting in their 2 cents.  But I did get it started and made it nice and smoky to help reduce the flying contingency, grabbed my bug zappers (now down to 1 – Jordy managed to snap one) and sat down to enjoy the company.  Alas no marshmallows left now as they had all managed to disappear into the mouths of babes the first night.  Must remember to grab several bags on next trip.

People gathered around and it was kind of a magical night.  Felt like at any moment you would expect fireflies to be dancing around and leave you wishing for a mason jar to capture them.  There were beautiful sparks dancing from the fire – no wait that was the singing of mosquitoes on the bug zapper..  They SPARKED!!!

Hunter made a quick trip up to see us and then back down to his vampire free zone to camp.

We all slowly slipped into the night as the evening grew, some quicker than others, in the morning the sun would rise and make the most beautiful sunrise.  The whiskey jacks would be out again, the small little ripples in the lake from the fish.  People slowly rose, and men did what they needed to do.. now you see this is where the outhouse comes back in.  For those that were there they will shudder with eeewwwwhhhh..   I have camped in many places and now understand why there are something’s in the great outdoors that are left best to nature to dismantle rather than lock them up in a box.  Three words – HUGE BLACK FLIES.  Now they were quiet until you sat down and… anyway’s that is best left unsaid. 

I jumped into the lake that morning, the water was delicious – the bottom of the lake is a bit silty, however it’s worth the sacrifice of a little bit muck between the toes to be able to start the day feeling tingly and awake.  Never sure when I’m out here if it’s the first dip in the water in the morning or the air that makes me so energetic.  A few others took the opportunity including Kelly (who rescued the beer can), Jessica & I believe it was Razman.  People slowly woke up and breakfast went on the grill and people slowly prepared to leave for the final destination of Kookapi & Harrison that day.

A few people had wedding receptions to go to so they scooted out ahead of us and the contingency was getting smaller.

The group was ready to go, except one vehicle… seemed that it was having a bit of difficulty starting.  The Mog again needed some help – so the best old fashioned solution was found.  They hooked up a rope and Terry’s truck towed the Mog, caught a picture – the video would have been better.    We all started the convoy for the day and headed back out waving goodbye to the lake, knowing we would be seeing it again soon.

On the way out we passed by 7 quads and a one-eyed Jack, they were headed on up to cabin lake to spend a bit of time.  They paused as we passed them and slowly made our way back down (3 right turns and a left in reverse) and saw the awesome green flagging tape that had been placed.   Going slow in places as we stood back and understood the uniqueness of what was in front of us and makes you realize it’s all in the day of this Dandy Life of mine.  All those people that care more about the bling bling of their trucks and turn them into Pavement Princess don’t know what they’re missing.  How could that bring about more of a happy face then being here.

Personally the more beat up a truck is the bigger turn on it is, it means you can get to those places that will create those exhilarating experiences.  It means you are simply living life and I’m proud to say even the Civic has BC pin striping!! (the last storey of the Civic's adventure & a man named Will was a bit funny but another day).  We continued back down the Mini-Whipsaw taking a few pictures along the way and figuring we were far enough ahead of the crew to have time to stop and place a geocache.  We stopped and they were right there, so we made a quick trip up the side of the hill to place a lame parking lot 4x4 geocache and then continued on our way back down to where we had left Danny & Raymond.   Geoff left us at this time and headed back to Tulameen to pick up his truck.

We made it to the river at about 12:30, and being that it was another perfect 35 degree day and I was already hot and thirsty.  That river called to me.. it said.. come.. join me.. enter my pristine waters and let me cool you off and sooth the nips the evil mosquitoes took from you.    What is a girl to do with that kind of conviction coming from an inanimate object.. she listens.. While Jordy was going down and seeing if the others would be joining our convoy on down to Boston Bar, I shimmied off the shorts down to the bikini and dove in.. Delicious!

I knew I had only 10 minutes so I made quick work of cooling off and then got back up to the truck and we were ready to go, those with kids were opting to stay in the Skeeter free zone.  Personally I think they made the right call as the next stop – they were worse then anywhere.  In the entire trip, the only thing I would change is that they would be nonexistent.  Other than that my hats off to the entire planning team for putting a perfect trip together.

It was 1:00 and we were headed on out down the Utilitz FSR, of which is a maze of trail.  We had to wait for a moment while BushPiggy’s bumper had to help out a certain Orange (nope won’t say it this time) get started again.. lol People were doing gas checks and filling up with Jerry can’s and we were on the way down.  However someone didn’t wait at the first turn where we turn left and that caused a bit of delay at the next stop.    The twists and turns going through here aren’t that bad, it’s just not the easiest call to make which way you’re supposed to.  We made it through the uphill climb to the top of the highest elevation, worried about the Mercedes knowing its radiator was overheating.

We waited for the vehicle behind us, and for the most part did fairly well finding our way down through the roads.  We did happen to make one left turn instead of right, but managed to get ourselves out before the rest of the group found out.  We continued on to the next turn and opted to wait until we had the last person, but it was a perfect spot.  Strawberry fields abounded, with so many wild strawberries – and some so huge!  They were perfectly shaped, and when you picked them and put them on your tongue you could feel sweetness just melting into your tastebuds.  So many to pick and pop them in your mouth, but you can’t chew these.. you have to just suckle them like a tootsie roll.  If you bite it’ll be gone too quick.

We had the last of the trucks and everyone was doing well and continued through the mountains taking in the scenery, as you go through this section you’re about half way up the Valley and can see down into it amongst the trees, there is a little lake down in there and we continued on until we made it to a clear-cut and had a moment of ummhhh there is a new road here.. uh oh  ok stop think – one left, one right – do we flip a coin?  No lets read tire tracks and do the old fashioned way – we did make the correct decision the first time..

The next time was priceless though and I should have had the camera rolling.. we went left instead of right.  Now we went all the way around until all the trucks had joined us on the wrong road, we then turned around and drove the opposite way and passed them all with me with my shoulders shrugged and hands out the window going sorry...    At this point the order of the vehicles changed based on who could turn around quicker.  What a sight to see!  We continued on down the through the mountains as we went lower and lower in elevation passing an abandoned trailer (we are partially but not directly responsible for that trailer being there – ask us one day) and continuing on down quickly.

We made one more stop to make sure everyone was ok and then headed into Boston Bar for Gas, Beer, Ice and to say goodbye to a few others.  Kelly & Jessica were off home and wouldn’t be making the final mileage with us.  It was kind of sad realizing how many had started and how many couldn’t finish and see the last of the beauty with us.  Jordy & I were looking most forward to this section as we hadn’t been here before, it’s also a section where instead of leading the pack we would be falling behind – due to our meandering nature when seeing beauty for the first time ( and placing a few geocaches).

Everyone filled up with gas (however the one gas station has the slowest pumps on this earth) and we gathered at the trolley waiting for everyone to be ready.  A conservation office approached us, of course a few nervous looks from the group wondering if there would be trouble – no he had been following the thread on the forums and was waiting for us.  He simply was there to protect the forests in the forest fire season and asked us not to have any fires, an awesome guy we thanked him and we were all ready to get started on our way down the Nahatlatch.

Jordy & I scooted ahead for the first 12 minutes as we had a geocache to find and it was right on the main road, Terry was leading this group and we would be happy to take up the tail gunner position.  We had Daddystyle turn on his VHF radio so we would have some contact to be safe.  We then did a quick trip up, found what we were looking for, and took up the end position as planned.  This all worked great until the STUPID BLING BLING Mustang & Yukon sitting by the site of the road.  They had a flat tire and he couldn’t figure out how to get the spare out.  They had the instruction book out and the little thingys and were trying to figure out how to get it off.

Well Jordy & Daddystyle being the good Samaritans they are decided to stop and help.   I was going to start with the most obvious question – that will wait a bit.  But figure that any person that is on a dirt road knows how to change a tire and if they are experiencing issues it must be rusted or something.  Jordy brought out the grinder from the back of the truck and got under the pretty mud free Yukon and tried to disassemble the tire and get the spare off.  That didn’t work, he took out plugs from the back of the truck and Daddystyle brought out air – that didn’t work.  Not sure what to do .. then the light shines on for the owner.. ohhh sorry I had it backwards.  I know how to change a tire I just prefer the men to do it.. watch those biceps get a work out.. yumm ( I can also change spark plugs, air filters and used to do oil changes) - but I do have an expectation that for a man to keep his man card he should at least know how to get it out! (the tire that is)

By this time everyone had gone far ahead of us, which is fine – Jordy and I had plans to stop and place a few caches.  We had been prepared for beauty, heard rumours & pictures.  But nothing quite prepares you for what you truly see.  Neither of us knew that you could see a permanent glacier on the Kookapi road, and that the bridge that you pass over used to be a cable car that you would put your vehicle on and take yourself across.   Trees growing on Granite, Waterfalls, and seeing that someone had a bit of a vehicle issue at one time – enough to build a temporary shelter.

The granite we saw here was huge, chunks the size of the Suburban sitting by the side of the road, the waterfalls cascading on both sides of the road.  Views in and out of the river below, every time you pass one beautiful scene you come across another.  There was no end to it, we kept hoping that we’d find the guys at one of these so that we could stop and enjoy the waterfall for the night.   

I don’t think we’ve ever gone so slow on a road that is in good shape, but I couldn’t get enough of it in.  I wanted to stop and feel every drop of water coming down and taste it, I wanted to just stay in the middle of it forever and never leave.  Alas we had to keep going, we then came upon the bridge where the crevice that used to be traversed by a cable car was.. I’d much rather be going on the bridge.  I know no as much adrenalin, but that would be fun one day.  Remember crossing cable cars as a child, and watching the water rush below and not sure if I should be giggling or paranoid.. lol

We neared the end of the Kookapi, and it’s sad that words can’t not describe it – you have to experience it yourself.  We found the group at Silver Beach and they had started setting up, but we were only about 5 minutes behind them.  First an acknowledgement, it was an absolutely beautiful place and I don’t think that water could have felt better at that time of night.  Dusty, sweaty, hot & ready to melt, I peeled down and ran into it and just dove in again.  As much as I won’t put my head underwater I sure do live for it.. lol

Alanna was playing with the dogs throwing the sticks in the water and you could tell the pleasure it brought them.  Sass came over and told us not to make dinner, they had enough food.  More important to join them, I said if they had bug spray I would.. lol   My toes say thank you! We now had the smallest group of the entire trip.  Not sure if that is what made the difference for me, or it was spending the time with the group for the last few days and I was finally comfortable enough.  That night was amazing for me, I started seeing through to the true side of everyone, and how unique this group was.  How lucky Jordy & I were to have been invited to come along.  I got to speak to everyone on a one on one basis that night.  Sass I pulled up my notes from something I wrote a few years ago– To top this all off it is possible for something to be in two places at the same time, however if you try to observe them then it alters its path, the double slit experiment has shown this. (we can continue that conversation later if you’d like)

Little Rob was needing mosquito spray and Bruce took care of that for him, it was like a family where everyone was accepted for who they are warts and all.  Very rarely do you find such an amazing compilation of people.  No judgement, no preconceptions, no needing to worry about what others would think when you experience it or when you write about it.  People where the lights are on and someone is home. They were responsible, taking care of each other and the areas they were in.  I’ve met thousands of people in my lifetime, floated down a Georgia river in the middle of summer, traveled with the Carnival circuit and seen things and had experiences others never will.  In spite of all of that these 5 days will stand out as some of the most amazing times in my life.

The night came out, the mosquitoes died away and we all settled in for a short summers slumber.. Jordy and I deserted camp at 4:30 in the morning.   One downsite to sleeping the suburuban in Heat.  In order to have airflow you have to roll down windows.  Well then bugs get in - what's worse bugs or heat?  Well we opted to leave but not for Clear Creek hotsprings, but for home with no bugs!  We'll be headed up clear creek soon enough again.

Thank you all for an amazing time, new friendships and memories –

PS next time keep me AWAY from the pepper please.. lol