Tuesday 7/3:
We awoke in eager anticipation of boating but Nancy noticed leaking oil on the motor. To diagnose the potential problem we needed gear oil, so we headed off to the metropolis of McLeod Lake. Along the way, we saw our first moose! Exciting, but there was no road shoulder, so we didn’t get a picture. As we drive north the roads are deteriorating a little but are still very good; however, there are no longer any passing lanes, and frequently there is little or no shoulder. McLeod lake is a very tiny town. Just two commercial establishments. The first was a run-down combination motel, tire repair shop, general store. This produced the second Best People Experience. The guy who owns the place was interested in where we lived in California. And one thing lead to another and to his life history. He’s had 3 or 4 wives, couldn’t remember exactly. An interesting life history but no gear oil so we headed to the other local retailer a combination general store, post office, and tourist center. Eureka we found our gear oil—and Haagen Dazs.
On the way back, the rain started and we decided to give the Cheap Jeep some more wilderness experience. Also thought that by driving on some of the dirt roads we might see more wild life. It was great fun, but no animals. We did, however, stumble upon a logging operation and we were both fascinated by the equipment they were using. The machine which appears to been adapted from a steam shovel has an articulating arm with a saw and a grabber. This thing grabs trees up to 40 or 50 feet long, cuts them off right at the ground and then stacks them up like toothpicks. Cool. Heading back to the campsite on the main highway we saw a black bear and her cub. By the time we turned around, they were gone, so no picture, but in our 5 mile trip to the store and back, we saw a moose and a bear!
The other wildlife that we’ve discovered (and they us), are the mosquitoes. Many, many mosquitoes. Interestingly, they seem to associate the Jeep and RV with the possibility of a meal. They flock to the vehicles like vultures to carrion. As soon as you open the door, they swarm in. Nancy has become their worst enemy. Earlier in the trip I bought her a fly swatter that electrocutes bugs. Looks like a tennis racket with strings that only run horizontally. Battery powered. Zaps the bugs with a satisfying popping sound and a little spark. Loads of fun and Nancy has become the ace terminator.
When we got back, the rain was steady so we wiled away the afternoon.
On the way back, the rain started and we decided to give the Cheap Jeep some more wilderness experience. Also thought that by driving on some of the dirt roads we might see more wild life. It was great fun, but no animals. We did, however, stumble upon a logging operation and we were both fascinated by the equipment they were using. The machine which appears to been adapted from a steam shovel has an articulating arm with a saw and a grabber. This thing grabs trees up to 40 or 50 feet long, cuts them off right at the ground and then stacks them up like toothpicks. Cool. Heading back to the campsite on the main highway we saw a black bear and her cub. By the time we turned around, they were gone, so no picture, but in our 5 mile trip to the store and back, we saw a moose and a bear!
The other wildlife that we’ve discovered (and they us), are the mosquitoes. Many, many mosquitoes. Interestingly, they seem to associate the Jeep and RV with the possibility of a meal. They flock to the vehicles like vultures to carrion. As soon as you open the door, they swarm in. Nancy has become their worst enemy. Earlier in the trip I bought her a fly swatter that electrocutes bugs. Looks like a tennis racket with strings that only run horizontally. Battery powered. Zaps the bugs with a satisfying popping sound and a little spark. Loads of fun and Nancy has become the ace terminator.
When we got back, the rain was steady so we wiled away the afternoon.
