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Lac des Roches tossing tournament topped weekend

Community news happening around the Lac des Roches area of the South Cariboo
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Participants and spectators of the annual Boultbee Road Horseshoe Tournament posed for a group picture after enjoying the two-day event during this year’s spectacular Thanksgiving weekend.

There was no doubt among the 40 participants and dozens of spectators at the annual Boultbee Horseshoe tournament, that this year’s Thanksgiving weekend weather was the warmest ever.

The tournament champions were in-laws, Tighe Lefebvre and Corina Lefebvre, part-time residents of Boultbee road. Those who opted to watch from the bleachers were thoroughly entertained by the non-stop action and banter that accompany such a large group enjoying a fun-filled family activity.

This year was also reported as another injury-free tournament, which is always the goal with our aging population.

 

Prowling bears

Several bears have been scrounging for food at homes around the lake.

Their target is any possible source of food and they have opened a fridge, overturned a barbeque, destroyed a compost bin, rummaged through garbage cans and ransacked an outdoor cooking unit.

Extra diligence is required to secure property from nuisance bears.

 

Boaters enjoy water

Boats are still out on the ice-free water, and fishing success is picking up although most reported catches are of relatively small rainbow trout.

Sailing is still an option although the unpredictable and challenging wind that swirls and gusts on the big lake can be even more daunting in autumn when the lake temperature drops below 10 C.

Wake boarders and skiers, donned wet suits and enjoyed the last days of appropriate weather for their sport on the warm and sunny Thanksgiving weekend. Recreational equipment is now finally stored away until next year.

 

Burning allowed

Open burning is finally permitted, but due to the continued dry conditions, limiting burn piles to the size of a campfire is a very good idea.

Heavy dew and frost is not adequate protection from wayward sparks and floating embers. We need significant precipitation in the form of rain or snow to make open burning a wise choice for dealing with yard waste.

 

Green grass lures cattle

Removing the cattle guard at the start of Boultbee Road 10 years ago seemed like a good idea as it had been decades since the old McDonald ranch was actually used for raising cattle by the Boultbee family.

It seems the removal may have been premature when a dozen cows traipsed through the yards at the beginning of the road Oct. 6. No damage was reported, although they left their “calling cards” all along the edge of the road.

 

Look way up

The loss of our loons to the seasonal migration is always a disappointment, as we get so used to their familiar calls from the lake.

Monitoring the skies this time of year can be both rewarding and quite thrilling. Since the lake is on a well-used flight path, thousands of birds migrate twice a year.

On Oct. 9, it appeared to be a flock of snow geese that flew high over the lake. The late afternoon light shining on their white bellies and moving wings gave the appearance of a sparkling V-shaped diamond against the dark blue sky.

Late that evening, anyone lucky enough to be outside and looking up would have witnessed an equally spectacular show of northern lights that filled the entire night sky.

 

Movie afternoon

Several ladies on Boultbee Road finally gave up on waiting for a rainy afternoon to enjoy a girl’s movie afternoon.

The cold front and wind storm that passed through on Oct. 15 was enough to chase them indoors to enjoy The Notebook with popcorn and refreshments. The next movie viewing will be scheduled in the spring.