Buttle Lake II – in the sun
June 27 – 30, 2016

 A lakefront site
The weather forecast said sunshine: summer is here – so that means we should be at the lake – and so we go back to Buttle Lake… we didn't thought, but unbelievable there was a lakefront campsite not reserved: so we stay day 1 on #4 and see there it is still available on day 2

 Why stay clean – we like brown dots
We decided to kayak: so first the kayak has to go in the water – and so the shortest way and we end up in the muddy flip-flop pulling dirty area… ok our backsides and the boats got some brown dots… maybe next time 10 m more walk would be a better idea…

 Kayaking to the "not an island anymore"
And then we are off to the rainbow island: but it is not an island anymore… so we still paddled there – Gine let’s Paul off and paddles around the island and then we make ourselves comfortable in the sun….

 Kayaking over tree stumps
A whole forest of tree stumps is sticking out of the water and behind a sandy beach… so we decided to paddle to this beach. After we got stuck twice on an underwater huge tree stump we decided not the best of plan… and back it goes…

 No Ham if you chicken out
As per Paul it is time for a swim… which was a great idea when we were on the hot sand… but this water is freaking cold… we nearly freeze our feet off… and so we decided “If you chicken out then no ham tonight with the open-fire buns”…. I think that was it that got us both wet and even faster back out of the water.

 Exploring the low Shoreline
With so low levels of water… there is a whole lot of new shoreline to discover and so Gine sets out to check what is new and exciting… during Paul made sure the towels are not flying away and no-one steals the kayak – I think you can also call is sun-tanning

 Inukshuk – I was here you are on the right path
So when you wonder if you are the first person venturing along here… when you see the Inukchuks standing you know someone was here before you…

When it’s time for a late coffee we paddle back and then:

 Along the Bay’s Shore
You can’t sit forever in a lawn chair… so Gine went on to check out the shoreline along the bay of the Buttle lake area…

 Homemade-open –fire-buns-on-the-stick
As long there is no fire ban – and we can made fire we have to have to homemade buns freshly baked over open fire…. and they are so yummy…..

 We kayak to an island
After a nice breakfast we are ready to explore the big unknown: the wind is in our back – so around rainbow island and towards the other shoreline and there we find a wonderful sandy beach to set foot… Paul set up the towel and Gine goes checking out the area: so where to go first: left or right?

 Discovering another island
And around the corner and I thought I see a little bay area… but it was so much more: there is even a little island in the middle… it looks so super cool… and after a whole roundabout – Paul had to walk all the way to the little connector part too, so he is able to see this cute little island

 Portage on the way back
We decided not to paddle all the way back… so across to the former “waterway” to Rainbow island and we portage the kayak… have a short rest with some cold water refreshing before we start the next part of the journey

 A swim at the spit
When paddling around the spit, we decided this is a perfect spot to go for a swim… so on shore we got and in the water – and guess what: today it is still freezing cold!!

 Checking out Darki’s lake
After a coffee Gine is on the go again… this time to Darki’s lake – so let’s see how far the trail goes… quite a bit actually, but then it kind of ended up in the forest… that means time to turn around

 A Thunderstorm
We had a super-hot and sunny day… and suddenly some dark clouds come over the mountains: you can see the dark cloud and the rain: and then you hear the thunder and see the rain falling: and even better you sit in your chair under the tree and have supper and you stay dry – and then watch the clouds go away…

We are bone tired
And tonight after all that kayaking and walking, all the wind and all the sun: we are bone tired… so barely after 9 o’clock and we fall in our bed and are goners….

 We move to another lakefront campsite
We already knew that we have to move… so at 8 o’clock we checked the board – not updated, we are on the way back, when we see the Park Rangers truck pull up… and so we go and yes # 10 is available for today. So Gine jogs up to #10 to check out what kind of vehicle, so we can keep an eye on the road: and see there the site is already empty – jogging back and getting a chair to make it occupied and jogging back to help load the motorhome and we are in another Lakeview campsite – even before:

 A German Breakfast
This morning we have nice buns, soft-boiled eggs, ham and cheese… like real Germans… but even this breakfast didn’t got us going that much: after yesterday today is:

 Free firewood
Our last night double-site camping party left and said we have a whole lot of firewood left, if you are interested: take it… and so we did: 2 loads of our little wheeler full… and so even are a super nice big fire, we had a whole pile of wood in the motorhome to bring home… good thing we go again camping….

 Only a short kayak trip today
Back and over to the little island – only a short trip and we are there:

 The windy Twin - island
Before it was like 2 islands: a level one with shrubs and a steep one with a tiny forest… and now because of the low water level it is only one island… that gives lots of possibility to explore: walking around, climbing up and through the tiny forest… offering new views and lots of little discoveries along the way.

 Checking out the tree stump forest on the lake
And where to go after a coffee: how about the tree stump forest: so Gine went towards “the beach trail” but this time keeps straight into the birch forest… and then back to the beach and over to the tree stumps: it is amazing how huge those trees were… walking around them, admiring them…

 A nice big fire
If you have more wood then you need: then you can make a nice huge warm fire and that’s what we did: it was so nice we nearly stayed up later than normal: except Paul has a built in clock saying: it’s bed time…

 We watch the sun coming up
Time to get up – time for coffee… and so we sit on that quite lake and see the sun rising over the mountain and feel the first warm sunrays on us…. What is nicer than this…?

 Good bye Buttle Lake
We had a great time and we loved it here… but now it’s time to go home and let the crowds come…