Mesachie Mountain, British Columbia, Canada
Gordon Bay PP -- July 22-25, 2019
We decided to have a
relaxing day – so after checking in, we went right to the beach and set
ourselves up. Did I mention that we had to stop in town because our propane was
not working and we didn’t know if it is the connector or the cable (by the way:
the connector didn’t work – so it was good we had some small back-up plan
bottles)
At the Beach
we decided to not carry
everything to the beach, parking there is so much easier especially if we need
something like coffee…
and first things
first: the paddle board!! Totally excited to use it we pump it up and then Gine
is in the water… it is a lot of fun to sit and paddle and after a bit it’s time
to venture out and over to the little island: on shore there is lots to see and
explore: great views – cool rocks – some “rock paintings” – watching people –
finding little coves. Only downside today it’s a bit cloudy and so the beach
time is a bit short… what to do know:
In town for repairs
After Paul discovered
that the connector to the propane doesn’t work we decided to go back to town
and return it right away… as well we picked up an air lounger for Paul… did I
mention that we also got some healthy ice cream??
Fires every day
And if we are able to
make a fire – then we will “cook” over the fire – so our bratwurst go on the
stick… then you have double the fun firsts of grilling over the fire and then
it also tastes so much better!!
The open air Camper
Good morning in the
forest means you don’t know when the sun comes up because all you see is forest…
as well it is not totally sunny and so we decide to do something: let’s go to
the waterfalls, and at the road there is a big sign “only allowed with special
permits” – I guess that is not us. Next option: we go up on Mesachie Hill – on the
way there we came by a 5th wheel where a whole side was missing – we
thought it was so cool and took a picture of the open air camper
Hiking up to Mesachie
Hill
Starting out through
some old forest we come to the dry bluffs and some great views – even better
once in a while there is a funky trail sign. And here are also a lots of Arbutus
trees, which we both like and we wonder again why they loose their bark?
The Tree which looses the bark:
- It only grows in warm temperature regions like the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and North Americas Pacific Coast: they grow from Vancouver Island all the way down along the coast until Mexico and is the longest north-south range of any North American tree
- They have red flaking bark – and you can see the new green bark underneath – it’s like peeling wallpaper. It’s natural and some say it helps the tree to shed parasites and it reduces the changes of disease
- If they are fire damaged, they sprout again (Good for them)
- It is also Canada’s only native broad-leaved evergreen tree with a leathery textured leaf
- There are 12 species and in BC we have the Arbutus Menziesii also called Pacific Madrone – by the way they only grow on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in BC and never more than 8 km away from the ocean
- They like nutrient-poor soil and live on rocky outcrops
- If the leaves are brownish then they got infected with a fungus in the wet winter - they stay brown until they drop
- They don’t like to be moved – so you can’t transplant a tree
- The natives were eating the berries and used the bark and leaves to treat stomach
Then Paul decides that
he has a gorgeous view on the lakes and mountains and that it is a time for a
rest – so Gine went further up the hill: I mean it goes straight up – between more
Arbutus Trees, more bluffs – more views – more mountains… and then you are on
the top… but the best view I think is where Paul was. Only big deal was: suddenly
the camera stopped taking pictures!!! Let’s hope it doesn’t take forever to investigate
this problem!!
On the way back we
decided to not take the “trail” but follow it all the way straight down..
Big Trees & the
Bounty Hunter
Back at the bottom we
met a guy who owns a land here – and interestingly: he, his father and his
grandfather are all bounty hunters. They hunt cougars and wolves for money – I
mean: I think that we should be happy that we still have the cougars!! And then
he advised us: that if we go hiking we should always bring a gun so we can
shoot a cougar or wolf if they attack us!! (Wonder what all the hikers on the
island do???)
He also pointed out,
that there are a few huge trees right in that forest: so we went in: Paul to the
first one (and then He said he saw enough) – Gine also checked out the other
ones.
Sun on the beach
After all this walking
and exploring: the sun is out: back to the beach – coffee – Gine walked back
and carried the paddle board into the water – paddling to the island and back –
then Paul in the water in his lounger – it is so much fun to relax and be out.
A quiet evening???
right behind our campsite is an empty space – we thought this is perfect, so we have more distance from the next neighbour camping. Except some kids decided it is perfect to built some earth ramps and jump with their bikes. First the guy across as complained – then Paul asked them… getting up the next morning: we barely had a coffee and the jumping started again. We told 2 kids to stop, they leave 3 other come and the others are back again – I think overall several people told the kids several times: and so we left early!!!
right behind our campsite is an empty space – we thought this is perfect, so we have more distance from the next neighbour camping. Except some kids decided it is perfect to built some earth ramps and jump with their bikes. First the guy across as complained – then Paul asked them… getting up the next morning: we barely had a coffee and the jumping started again. We told 2 kids to stop, they leave 3 other come and the others are back again – I think overall several people told the kids several times: and so we left early!!!
The lost bicycle
As always we love
camping – but this time was not our luckiest camping. We decided to stop at the
gatehouse and got told, that there were already several people complaining.
After this stop we decided to check out the RV park, turn signal on and then we
want to park and Gine asks Paul: Paul where is the bicycle. And we couldn’t
believe that the screw loosens, the hook goes smoothly up, the back strap opens
– the front straps rips perfectly straight and the bike jumps out… Guess we
only stopped ones. We went back to the Park – but never heard about the bike
again. Paul got busy and soon found another bike for Gine… still it is a bit
annoying getting the bike stolen right in the campground.
Happy Wedding Anniversary - It's today July 25 !!
2025-05-22