Arrived in Clear Lake yesterday and set up in what is probably the best of the Clear Lake campsites we have had and generally the campsites at Clear Lake are among the best that we have experienced anywhere. While we do have one of those bear proof garbage containers and a trail thru the bush to the community washrooms close by there are enough mature spruce and birch trees surrounding our site that they don’t intrude on our sense of privacy.
The campsites here, as is the case in many of the public campgrounds, were built in the 50’s and 60’s and make for a bit of a tight squeeze for today’s, by comparison, humungous campers. Our 37’, triple slide 5er, with dual A/C, 40” flat screen, microwave and fireplace represents our attempt at roughing it. As I reflect back on my childhood, with 4 of us crammed into a small tent trailer, todays RVs were not even contemplated and the size of many of the campsites reflect that.
We maneuvered into a newly paved campsite (I think this is a new handicapped site as those have historically been the only ones that are paved) we managed to just fit ourselves in so the extended slides were just shy of the power pedestal on one side and a spruce tree on the other. I had to pull forward and back a few times so the extended awning would fit between two more spruce trees. We are wedged in for a perfect fit with the picnic table and fire pit just a few yards from our sitting position under the awning. We could comfortably sit under our awning and enjoy a brief rain shower, complete with light and sound effects of the thunder and lightning while the trees protected us from the winds and allowed the awning to remain fully extended.
As we settled in Lori commented that whenever we arrive here all the stresses just seem to melt away and she feels truly relaxed. I can certainly echo her feelings.
We noticed last year that some major improvements were underway in the park. Some of the items are just long neglected maintenance but others include expanded services in the campground and newly blacktopped roads and trails. The serviced sites are always full with the unserviced sites, typically the home of tents, tent trailers or larger units unable to get into the serviced sites, having lots of empty spaces. I think this is pretty much the norm in campgrounds these days.
Its nice to see then that one of the improvements being made is converting some of the bays of largely unused unserviced campsites to sites with electric and water.
I think the sprucing up of the park is in preparation for the nations 150th birthday party next year.
As we were sitting and enjoying the evening we heard the sound of a winch winding up a steel cable followed by a loud crash and some screams. I headed to the site next door and saw a woman lying half on the ground and half suspended on a metal platform with her leg twisted in the frame of the lift mechanism.
This site is designated as a handicapped site and the woman had left her motorized scooter and was apparently standing on the home made lift system to get her up into her trailer. The cable had broken and the whole contraption came crashing down leaving her in a very awkward position. We attempted to untangle her however any movement elicited more screams so the decision was made to make her as comfortable as possible until the paramedics were called. We got some blankets to keep her warm however it was about that time the skies opened up and we were soaked in the deluge. They found a large beach umbrella to at least partially shelter her from the rain and I fetched a dry blanket and tarp from our trailer.
The paramedics finally showed up, stabilized her and took her away in an ambulance. I had to wonder if the new Provincial Governments campaign promise to lower, what is amongst the highest ambulance fees in the country, has taken effect yet. I talked to the family the next morning and she is a bit bruised however no broken bones and should be fine in a few days.
This morning we ventured out on what is our favourite activity at Clear Lake. A walk along the lakeshore towards the golf course. Charli was tugging at her leash the whole way as she could smell the water and as soon as we reached her favourite spot it was time to take off the leash and start throwing sticks.
This fetching activity could go on for sometime. Usually our arms get tired before she tires of swimming out to fetch the sticks. The hike and her swim should provide for a nice restful nap for all of us this afternoon.
One of the dangers. The inevitable full body shake which sends a refreshing shower of water droplets to anyone nearby. Charli does this every time she exits the water only to jump right back in and get soaking wet.
Lori was a little slow to get away from the spray on this one.
We stopped at the Whitehouse Bakery before we got back to the trailer and while we avoided the Cinnamon Buns this time we did come away with 2 Mocha Cappuccinos’. So the calorie deficit that we achieved with the 7km walk this morning is just a memory. We plan another hike this evening to try and achieve that ever elusive deficit.
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