The Hot Water Day
Leaving the campsite at Poplar we headed for Muncho Lake but the rain was still pouring so we could see little. Our first stop was Liard Hot Springs. I was skeptical but Cindy thought it looked like fun. The boardwalk to the springs was through a beautiful marsh. We removed our coats (it was 42-44 Degrees) that we had on over our suits and got in the spring. It was actually nice. Well, better than nice. The ground under your feet was covered with small stones and the closer you moved to the little falls the hotter the water became. It was quite hot. The steam rose from the pond and made everything misty and the banks were lush with ferns and wildflowers. No photos in the water because the water is not good for metal. You were to remove rings etc.
Refreshed and back on the road the rain picked up again. It is hard to describe the drive. You are on a two lane road that varies from decent to Oh My! The shoulder of the road is often wide and smooth and just as often there is no shoulder at all or very little and there might be a 20 foot drop-off or 60. The really odd thing is how often and how long you are alone on the road. I would drive 15 or 20 or 30 minutes and see no car in front or behind me and only 3 or 4 coming south. For one stretch today I was passed by 4 cars in 65 miles. The gas stations are well spaced but very expensive. Many of the lodges (we would say hotel) are falling apart and closed. What you really see are trees - green carpets as far as you can see rolling up to mountains. Lots of rivers and streams. We also saw two herd of black bison, two black bear and two moose, our first moose of the trip, other than you know who, and a Lynx - very special to see one. I added a new bird, a Goshawk, really neat find.
Our other stop was the Sign Post Forest but it is on a second post for today.
The campground we choose had space but their power was out. So I asked about dry camping and he said, “$20 in the park but free in our lot across the street.” No one who reads this blog is surprised we ended up across the street. It was then we discovered a new water issue. Stay tuned.
Cadillac’s Most Correct Viewpoint
I held my first Moose Rights Rally today! It was not too well attended and at first I was a bit disappointed but then the nice guide told me we were not in Alaska yet. That solved the attendance mystery because we are expecting big crowds. So I used the occasion (adaptability is one of my most outstanding characteristics) to practice my stump speech. Needless to say it was a hit. In fact I imagine Moose Rights Canada or Provincial or wherever we are is next on the agenda.
Moose Rights Rally was not well attended but very attentive audience.
Another amazing thing occurred mid-morning when the guides took to a Moosy environment and got into the water. I did not see them eat any Water Lillies - I would have passed out, but they seemed to enjoy the experience of lounging in the water and letting your cares seep away. Of course, if people just practiced Mooseism we would all be better off. I think there is a glimmer of hope for these two. Not that we are in Alaska yet - hope does not extend to directions. BdB got out for awhile with his cousins. But even the draw of family could not keep him away from me. Sometimes charm and lovability have a steep price.
