12-AUG-2006
Day 7 - Saturday, August 12
It's almost 5pm as we near our final campsite. We have been successful in finding a supply of wood at the designated wood stop--FINALLY!--so everyone carries their share. Reaching the Bowron River, we follow the channel as it meanders through an extensive marsh. The river level and our canoes are too low to see what lies above.
12-AUG-2006
Day 7 - Saturday, August 12
When we get to our campsite (#53), one of the first things we all notice are a group of Europeans just starting to set up camp in our site. Oh boy--not again? Merlin talks with them and they quickly move to an adjacent campsite (actually very close). The other thing we all notice are the mosquitos! Until now we really haven't been plagued much by bugs, and of course, I hate bug juice so just cover up as best I can. Note: Merlin helped me dispose of my bug juice on Day 3 after it had been sloshing all over my toiletries and into the river bag I had rented from them--not much but I didn't want to be responsible for ruining their bag. That crap melts plastic/rubber, and we're supposed to put it on our bodies? I don't think so. So I asked Merlin how I could dispose it and he said BURN IT--so he did, and boy did it flame! Good riddance.
So, after we pitched our tents Patty and I went over to check out the "plaque" we could see by the adjoining campsite. Watch out for bears is what it said.
When we came back to our camp, dinner was ready so we all eat our "last supper" together. We have chili with rice and for dessert a traditional camping favorite, S'Mores. Susan and I were finally rid of that very heavy "Day 7" river bag--we had been hauling it the entire trip--I could have sworn that there was nothing but rocks in it. Must have been several cans at least?
Merlin asks each of us to give him our highs/lows for the trip and so we go around the circle expressing what the trip has meant to each of us.
12-AUG-2006
Day 7 - Saturday, August 12
After dinner I grab my camera to catch a shot of the Bowron Marsh from the small bluff by the old cabin.
There is an old cabin/shelter that some college kids are staying in right next to our campsite. Other than the campsites by the "Chute", this is the most populated area we have been in. But it makes sense since it is very close to the end and some folks do only a 3-4 day trip along the west side of the circuit. We can also hear the Europeans across the small marsh from the outhouse. So these kids are in this old cabin that apparently was infested with mice. We hear them every once in a while, too--they must be playing games or something as there is much laughter. They were pretty cool though and we let them fill their water jug using our filter.
Tomorrow we will get up really early (5am) and quietly paddle through the marsh to Bowron Lake as early morning is the best time to observe wildlife in the marsh. It is 9:30pm when I turn out my light.
During the middle of the night I wake up to run to the outhouse. The sky is clear and moonlight is shining through the trees by the cabin, illuminating my tent. I see the Big Dipper and all the rest of the stars--AWESOME! But I'm the only one awake, and heeding the sign, decide I don't want to be out there alone and pass on the opportunity to take some night shots of the moon and stars.
