Tag: Invermere

Ice-Out on Lake Windermere

Only a thin layer of ice remains on the south end of Lake Windermere. Looking close you can see the ice breaking up. The ice is about midway in the lakes 12 mile length.

Incredibly mild weather for December. +6°c, rain and a stiff south wind. The ice on about half of Lake Windermere has gone out. In the sixty, some odd, years I have been observing the lake I cannot remember it doing so in December.

The ice was late forming this winter with only a thin skim by the end of November. I am usually skating on the lake by the end of November. This year I went for a swim instead.

Standing at the north end of the Lake near dark. The ice in the foreground has been blown to the shore.

In the early 2000’s, when I was with the newspaper, I can remember writing an editorial mid December to be careful on the lake ice as it could be unsafe. It had been mild that year. The point of the article was to warn tourists and second home owners to be mindful as they may have been used to driving on it in December. The way it looks this year the tourists and vacation home owners could be putting their jet boats back in for the Christmas holidays.

The lake in winter has always been a special place for me. Skating, skiing, driving and fishing. There is nothing like being out there in the cold and quiet. Whenever I have had to endure pain I’ve always thought of the lake and the silent white surroundings while standing in the middle to get me through. It is what I imagine heaven to look like. It truly is a remarkable place.

We are expecting more warm weather. If so I can only guess the rest of the ice will break up and flow down the Columbia.

If my old friend Ray was still alive, he passed a few years ago at 103, I’d ask him if he’d ever seen this before. I would bet he would say no and be equally surprised. As I’m sure my Dad would have been. Christ, I’m an old-timer now and I’ve never seen Lake Windermere open in December.

Crank

Easter weekend. The tourists and second home owners from Alberta are running amuck. CBC says money is tight, the US is going to swallow us up whole, but you wouldn’t know it looking at these folks. 

The Flickers and Starlings are fighting over the holes in trees to build nests. The Ospreys are back working on their home beside our old house. They seem to be the only commuting second home owners I have any use for. A Bald Eagle is perched over the river below the bridge an eye out for easy prey. They better do it quick before the river is covered in white bloated tourists.

***

The town as we turn into a small city stinks. The sewage lagoons are not working again, the bacteria having died. A common problem as we outgrow our infrastructure. The sewage will get flushed into Toby Creek that will soon start to back up into Lake Windermere. Invermere officials thinking it is long gone flowing downstream once in the creek, while they allocate funds to grow business and entice more second home and short term rental investment. I haven’t met one small town politician who didn’t think it is money that makes the world go round. 

***

The US Whitehouse continues to implement and sustain tariffs. It is difficult to know their reasons, they say it is to bring manufacturing back to it’s home soil. But what if it does what economists say it will and make everything too expensive to buy? Would that be such a bad thing. I think our appetites could use being curbed. That is probable not the intention of the US. Sooner or later though we are going to have to slow consumption. Fill these big second homes, that are only lived in a couple months a year, with people who need housing. Wouldn’t that be something.

*** 

Canada is in the throes of a federal election. In our riding it will be an easy lay up for the incumbent, Rob Morrison of the Conservative Party. Mr. Morrison was parachuted into the riding in 2019 to challenge the hapless NDP candidate, Wayne Stetski a true dullard. It has been a lucrative and easy position for Mr. Morrison. One that he can keep doing for as long as he chooses.

The Conservative Party of Canada, under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, looked like it would hop, skip and jump over the listless Trudeau into power. But not so fast, with the US in the state it is. All of a sudden conservatism doesn’t look as sweet to Canadians.

The CBC is firmly behind The Liberals and Mark Carney. So much for impartiality in media. And why not, their bloated budget is on the line as Mr. Poilievre threatens to cut their funding if elected. The CBC is fighting for their life even if it means getting behind Mr. Carney, a high minded banker who has never garnered one vote from the Canadian electorate.

The theme is we need someone to stand up to Donald Trump in the Whitehouse and their desire to make Canada the 51st state. Something first said, as a barb to Trudeau, that didn’t even dignify a response has now become our main election issue, ramped up by social and mainstream media.

It is with this in mind that Poilievre and Carney are offered up as saviours. Like most politicians, two guys I wouldn’t trust to lead me across the street.

***

Behind Swansea, down on the creek, the rain kept up. A few buntings topped the trees. Deadfalls snapped half way up blocked Novembers once clear path. My pant legs soaked through keeping up with Willow.

The Plunge

The Walrus Water Society 2025 before the plunge. Scarlett, Tom, Hunter, The Old Man, Eddie.

A great day for the Polar Bear Plunge. Everyone had a great time. It was Hunter, Eddie, and Scarlett’s first time plunging through the ice into the frigid waters of Lake Windermere.

The crowds and participants just keep getting bigger each year, and why not, it is great fun and quite invigorating.

Here are a few pics of The Walrus Water Society 2025.

Hunter doesn’t waste any time getting in.
Scarlett does it the hard way be going down the steps. Very brave.
Come on in the water is fine.

Breezy

A couple of uprooted fir trees at The Springs Golf Course in Radium Hot Springs.

Last Friday we had a severe wind storm. A nearby weather station clocked the winds at over 200km/hr, which is unheard of in this area. The mountains usually protect us from high winds. Not this time.

The storm was accompanied by rain and lightning. There were shingles flying off roofs, billboards knocked over, moored motor boats swamped and sunk (I guess it wasn’t all bad), trees uprooted, buildings damaged; basically shit scattered from asshole to tea kettle, everywhere, in every direction.

Luckily, as far as I know, no injuries were reported.

Power was knocked out throughout the valley. Most was restored within 12 hours, however BC Hydro is still working to get power to some areas.

We were lucky. Only a few branches to pick up around our place. Work was a different story, plenty to clean up there.

A funny story that reminded me of my Mom. Two young women, Bex and Molly, from the UK that I work with were surprised at how fast the storm hit.

Bex saw the lights flicker and said, ‘Molly get the kettle on!’ They didn’t want the power to go off in the middle of a bad storm without being able to make a cup of tea. The kettle boiled just in time before the power went off for the duration.

My Mother was the same way. No matter what was about to hit a cup of tea seemed to make things a little better.

I sure hope this kind of weather doesn’t become part of our new normal.

Dream

After the rain.

Dug the garlic today. About 120 heads of purple hardneck. I laid it out to dry and damned if we didn’t have a hard rain. Granted it didn’t last long. It was marvellous to feel. It was like the earth lapped it up. The birds even came out and seemed to rejoice in the damp, warm air.

Deb’s bouquet.

The garden is doing what it can. Picked a bunch of peas. Not easy. The wind has blown most of the vines off the fences, making one pick through the tangle. I know I’m missing as many I’m picking. Willow helped out picking, but she ate the ones she picked not contributing to the bucket. Once and awhile I’d give her a pod I’d eaten the peas out of. She would nosh it around and spit it out, giving me a dirty look. She will eat the pea pods as long as they have peas in them, take the peas out and try to pawn them off and she will let you know you are a cheat.

The mosquitoes have been atrocious. The garden is almost unbearable. At night we usually have at least a few driving us crazy. The buggers having followed us through the door. Sometimes I hear Willows jaws clack as she tries biting them out of the air. They are tough to get in the pitch black.

The fire in the Palliser River area is getting bigger. It has burned a lot of country that Lisa and I love. It will be something to see when we can get out there.

It is a long weekend and the tourists are unrelenting. Hordes all trying to do everything at once. I am not sure if they even notice the smoke obscuring the mountains or the sun that rises and sets blood red, on fire through a thickening haze.

Humans are something. I dreamt that the town and hills surrounding the lake were on fire, like they will be one day, while the long grass, trees and homes burned, the tourists in their wake boats just kept jetting around the lake, pulling water skiers and surfers, kids on tubes, loud music from big thumping speakers, laughter, cocktails, bikinis and sunglasses, sunblock and beer bottle empties thrown overboard. Making sure they are draining their tanks, getting their kicks before the lake starts to boil.

Just a bad dream. Exacerbated by the heat, smoke and pesky mosquitoes.

A Quick Dip

An old walrus wallows away the day in the icy waters.

Jumped in the lake today at the Annual Polar Plunge. The event is hosted by RAD Recreation Adapted Society, with funds raised going towards purchasing fitness equipment for people who have had paralyzing injuries.

It was great to support the event and a dip in the cold water is always refreshing.

Skating

Look out! Scarlett skates with her hockey stick in one hand and a snowball in the other.

There is nothing like a fine day of skating. And to enjoy it with grandchildren makes the day even more satisfying.

Cooper rests in a snow drift.
A game of keep away. The old man succumbs to the energy of youth.
Enjoying the wind and ice.
Under Swansea on the ice of Lake Windermere. Showing off our gap toothed hockey smiles!

Merry Christmas

Beside the river. The sun casting long shadows. Lola and Willow can be spotted, by a keen eye, at river’s edge.

Bright sunshine. I watched the sun come up from the river bottom at 9:28, and watched the sun go down at 3:39 from the woodpile. Very fine day when you get to stop and watch both.

A Very Merry Christmas to everyone.

Lola and I waving. Willow refused to get in the picture, choosing instead to dig for mice. Wishing everyone the best from the headwaters of the Columbia River.

Rob

Rob Dunn, who published The Valley Peak passed away last week. He had been battling serious health issues for several years. It still came as a shock to many of his friends and acquaintances. It seemed he had been on the doorstep quite a few times and always battled back. This time, unfortunately, it was not to be.

Rob’s paper, The Valley Peak resembled a coffee newspaper that you often find in cafes. Like a coffee news The Valley Peak contained jokes and ads, however, The Peak was much more. It was usually 8 pages printed on coloured bond paper, published weekly and widely distributed up and down the valley. But what really differentiated it from any other publication was that it contained a lot of Rob.

He promoted many worthwhile causes over the years. He set up a free food bin on one of Invermere’s streets for people in need. He espoused the benefit of gardening, fishing, cannabis use and roaming the outdoors. He often expressed his love for his hounds and the joy of being a dog owner.  He and I shared a love of stargazing and that is what we often talked about, as we did when we met in the grocery store about a week before his passing.

Rob was also a self described conspiracy theorist. Since the start of Covid he dedicated part of The Peak to his thoughts on the disease, vaccinations and alternative medicine. He also tackled other subjects such as global warming, woke culture and government interference. He had plenty of followers that agreed with his stance and also many people who did not. Regardless, he always seemed to know where to draw the line as not to piss off too many people, especially advertisers that he had many of. I was always in awe of this skill. Perhaps it was because he was always good natured.

An often theme of his short column Robservations was to treat each other with respect and compassion even when we don’t feel like it or have different views. It is a good message.

It seems the Valley is losing its character and special characters. Rob certainly was a character without replacement. Lisa and I extend our condolences to his family and friends. 

Happy stargazing Rob, wishing you clear skies and good fishing. 

Solitude

The quieter days, darker evenings and lower temperatures have been a relief from a busy summer that saw hordes of tourists; many of them rude and overbearing, also fires that raged nearby and long hours at work that seemed to get the better of me.

I feel tired and in need of quiet. This past week I have made a point of seeking solitude after work for at least a few hours. It is what I need and what I value right now. I have let being alone, walking in the bush or along the river escape me for many years now. It was something I used to do often and had done so since I was a child. I have always enjoyed being alone. This past week has reminded me how important it is to my sanity. During the day at work it is what I look forward to and it gets me through.  

***

I hiked on a trail last weekend that is maintained by, Summit Trail Makers Society. They maintain eleven popular hiking destinations by clearing the trails, putting up signage and publicizing the locations and themselves on social media.

The trails they have taken over were always popular, now however, due to increased awareness are incredibly busy with locals and especially tourists.

To hike one of these trails is the equivalent of playing a game of golf, either you are approaching another group or being overtaken by one. They do, however, serve a valuable purpose and the Society should be commended.

When The Village of Radium Hot Springs started to develop 2nd and 3rd homes for our Alberta neighbours, many of these dwellings were placed on a hill where the old drive-in theatre use to stand. To locals they were hideous abominations. An old-timer put it into perspective for me and made me accept it a little better. He said, “The Albertans and their city condos may as well be all grouped together overlooking the Radium sewer lagoons then spread throughout the valley.”

By the same token tourists may as well explore, The Summit Trail Maker locations en masse then be spread in every direction. Again, this is not a criticism of the Society or the people who frequent the trails. They are people who love nature and enjoy the sights and exercise these trails provide, however, what they do not value is solitude that the mountains can provide in an ever increasing busy world. 

***

Unfortunately now, the 2nd and 3rd vacation homes are not just overlooking the Radium sewer lagoons anymore. They make up the majority of real estate surrounding the lakes and can be found in every nook and cranny stretching from one end of the valley to the other. Soon it will be the same of the recreational enthusiasts, checking off the hikes they find on the internet.

For people who call the valley home; our sense of place, the place we love, where we have laughed and cried, where our children were born, will be stripped of flesh. Soon only scraps will remain.