July 17th - 28th Paska Lake

July - Paska Lake

We're finally relaxing and taking it easy at Paska Lake. We've decided to stay here for 2 ½ weeks and then Peter Hope Lake for 3 ½ weeks with a stop at Claybanks RV Park in Merritt before heading back to Vancouver. The only drawback is no cell service at Paska, so we must drive 15 minutes away to check for messages. The weather in the Kootenay’s wasn't great at the end of June/beginning of July and we've experienced trouble finding forest service sites which fit us. We didn't want to be plugged in the whole time for Freya and of course not have the expense as most spots were $40 plus a night, so we made the decision to go where we know we fit and Ray can fish.

The weather finally turned hot and sunny on July 27th. The sun came out daily, but it usually clouded up by the afternoon each day with some thundershowers. Not Freya’s favorite thing. It's been warm enough for shorts though. I managed to get in my new floaty boat on my birthday, July 26th, for half an hour or so before the clouds came back in. Unfortunately, I picked up a leach on the back of my knee on the way back to shore I didn't notice and it managed to suck quite a bit of blood. The next two days the back of my knee is quite sore as there is quite a bit of interstitial fluid. 

Rays’ been able to get out in his pontoon boat most days and is finding it very relaxing and not hurting his back. He's catching quite a few fish and only kept one for breakfast one morning. The fish are so plentiful, one afternoon he decided to fly fish from shore for a couple of casts and caught 2 fish in 5 minutes.

We've met some great neighbours, Paul and Giselle with their two grown sons, who include us around their campfires and Paul played the guitar. Paul is in a band and their son Jonathan plays drums. Their sons went out and got us a load of firewood and even split it to make it easier on me. Nice guys. Of course I made them a batch of cookies as a thank you. Freya loves them as everyone takes turns throwing her stick back and forth along the back of our sites. She ends up with a huge back yard.

For my birthday, we drove to Kamloops where I got my hair cut and then we went to the pool for a hot tub. After a bit of shopping, we went to the Beijing Restaurant for lunch, recommended by Paul and Giselle. Yummm. Very good Chinese food with lots of leftovers so I wouldn't have to cook dinner either. When we got back to camp, Paul and Giselle and their two sons had a birthday cake for me. Giselle even hand painted a water colour for  my birthday card. Thanks guys.

So other than driving to Kamloops a couple of times, into Logan Lake for water, garbage and internet, we stay in camp enjoying the outdoors. We've seen eagles, osprey, and loons fishing. There is also an otter who swims by and the sound of many cows. Ray chased one out of the campsite yesterday!