Journals July 05

	Cucumbers From the Sky!! (a true story) Another hot humid muggy day. I had just caught a fair-sized pike for supper and more. Jared was telling another tall tale from town when we heard the distinctive drone of a Cessna from the southwest. Yes, we had been expecting the plane all day ... the message received at Thompson Lake was " Look to the Heavens" ! Within a minute, the wheeled Cessna was over us and Chris Rule’s (Northern Operations Search and Rescue Manager) peaked cap was clearly visible from 2000 feet. We proceeded to acquire several good photos as the plane circled – and circled – and circled – and ... ( I know - Chris was inspecting my new roof !!). Finally, a tiny parachute left the plane and gently dropped down into the waters of Thompson Lake. Jared grabbed a boat, raced over and retrieved the mysterious package. In a water-proof container – YES, YOU GUESSED IT ! - two giant cucumbers !! I immediately started to salivate and I refuse to answer how long these two cucumbers lasted. With a cough, the plane turned its wings southward and disappeared. The exercise turned out to be a success. Did Search and Rescue learn anything? Yes– don’t use a blue parachute, it’s really not that visible in the water during retrieval. Yes ... this summers hero – Chris Rule !! July 10 – 1530 hours The above was repeated again ... this time they used a float aircraft and a garbage bag with brightly colored ribbons ... thank you, Chris!	Cucumbers from the Sky... mmmm! Thompson Lake wasps

Chris's cuke plane		Evil cat!

Observe...Who is the spider?

Raspberries soon!

Bear-chewed canoe!

Edible Pine Mushroom

Jared at Hidden Lake

Old Freighter canoe at Tim's Lake

Homely Mike (but at least not frozen Mike as it was earlier this year!)

Trapping Cubby

flood

Creek in Flood

Soon ... Soon ... Soon

Trapline Tammy

Journals July 2005

- decided to come back and zip up this journal a bit ... so here we go. Let’s ride!

- it is rumored that a group of fishermen (that shall remain nameless!) discovered a man-made cross somewhere on Thompson. With my trusty digital I ventured forth. Here is my report:
a.) Gentlemen, perhaps you were sipping too many old stout?
b.) Would it be a beaver from the nearby house who pissed off a wood fairy?
c.) If this cross exists, could it possibly mark the final resting place of the last group of fishermen?
d.) Did Jared’s aliens have no floats on their space craft?

On a more serious note ... now that black/brown bear season is here and attacks are becoming more prevalent, please, dance, sing, whistle, jump, wear bells and whistle on your ... anything to let the black bear know you are coming.
- you know, I just can’t THANK our CFC enough ( Canadian Firearms Centre) for issuing that handgun "carry permit" to me (with strict stipulations). They have increased my chances for survival from absolutely nil to 60% and up, re possible bear attack.
- No please … I’m not a crazy old man who loves guns — I love my guns about as much as my Phillips screwdrivers.
- I do however, enjoy working with the leather / holsters (modifying etc.)
- Jared has been told several times by veteran resource officers / game wardens, that he is so fortunate to be alive after his bear attack/encounter some years back.
- Mike’s Home-made :
I have been in the woods now for so long I have forgotten how to swear properly.
July:
- had another good group of fishermen in: good fishing / good conversation.
- turns out it’s a small world ... the eldest of the group knows a buddy of mine; a family friend from forty years ago !

Cool Dudes: The Best of BC!

- my search for the perfect bear handgun continues ... and I have learned the perfect auto handguns for bears MUST BE DIVIDED into two categories: black bear and grizzlies. Not to do so, means lunch for a bear. I’m serious - it’s the difference between hunting rabbits and moose. For black bear I am using a 30-30 rifle and a 357 mag. as a reference (minimum).
Soooooooo – a 10 mm, and a 45 Super would suffice.
All in autos –sorry, I’m not a revolver fan .
(yes of course the 44 mag . 454 etc in revolvers)
Now for grizzlies? Sorry, I don’t even want to talk about it.
As far as Im concerned the only thing that will stop a charging grizzly is any larger slug from an auto - shotgun.
-I do empathize with our BC. hikers ... like what the hell do you do when in both grizzly / black bear country ? PRAY !
- EXCITING! A bear in my garbage ( and its clean]), also three forest fires all about 5 km north .
- Hey ! I’m dry! Got another load of roof metal - all installed except for one shop and the Allen Lake cabin ... good for another 20 years.
- sure was good to have Jared here to help out and discuss life.
- Gordon and Rob/ son plus hopefully Bill, are coming for a visit – yeah !
Will they work? Food works for bears / bait !!
- Jared put on a great air show with his R/C flying.
- CAUTION to anyone that is a handgun fanatic ... please READ- READ - READ ... QUESTION -QUESTION -QUESTION ... before you start any mods. etc. for high performance / + P levels. Really study your psi levels before you start pushing the envelope . The alternative is missing fingers/ hands/eyes/ or worse.
Do I feel comfortable with my 45 Super/ 450 SMC ...Yes, for bear protection ONLY – NOT TARGET PRACTICE – with an exception of a few practice rounds occasionally.
- the bugs are so bad a self-respecting man can’t do much in the woods.
- shit ! My 2004 income tax return got lost in the mail.
-Dave [ webmaster] is doing some excellent carving. See his site at http://waxwingstudio.atspace.com
- hey, Andrea Menard answered my email ... she is not good, she is great !! That girl is heading for the BIG-TIME! There are countless people with good vocals about but not too many “greats”.
- how much do we love our homes ? Well, consider Wayne over on Paul River. The fire is about one kilometer from his lodge and he was on CBC just beaking at Resources and their " let it burn " policy. They did put sprinklers on his place.