Winter is a great time to get a few chores done by snowmobile. In summer everything is handled several times. From truck to trolley, from trolley to boat and once on the other side again from the boat to the trolley and on to the final destination. The snowmobile goes straight from the truck to the destination making some chores a breeze.
Planing ahead Larry ordered a few square bails for John Henry our mule . A little miscommunication and we received one very large round bail. It slid across the lake just fine but fitting it in the barn was a bit of a struggle!
Knowing that winter can drag on at our elevation I also planned ahead and planted long stemed Arctic daffodils and tulips. The bulbs poked through the four feet of snow exactly on the first day of spring just as the packaging promised! Since the 21st of March I have had to dig them out of the snow twice. They are a very hearty variety that does add a touch of colour to a very white landscape.
Just for fun
Snow Bound Lodge
Hoar Frost on Pine Boughs
Winter Sunset
A few photographs of the beautiful winter months. The first shows our record levels of snow. The snow slides off the roof and builds up in front of the windows. Larry has shoveled the windows clear several times. Living in an igloo is really not good for moral. However the snow has been great for cross country skiing. The next picture is frost on a branch. The “hoar frost” builds the most delicate butterfly wings that are clustered on the branches until the wind and sun shake them free. The final photograph is a classic Caverhill sunset. At this time of year the sun sets far to the south west. Three glimpses into the magic of Caverhill in winter.
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Larry Cutting Ice
Pulling the First block
Ice Cutting Team 2009
We are ready for your most important summer need. Ice has been harvested for keeping the groceries fresh and your drinks cool. Over the Christmas break we were able to harvest fourteen tonnes of ice in about three hours. The temperature was minus 15 degrees celsius with a stiff wind. Larry’s chainsaw kept freezing solid and had to be thawed before more cuts could be made. Even with minor delays the job went quickly with many hands to help. We did invite a few farm boys to go “ice fishing” and they eagerly accepted the challenge.
The first picture is Larry cutting the blocks loose with a chainsaw and a metal jig that is well over forty years old. The block he is standing on is the one he is cutting and I still do not have life insurance on him! Notice the spray of water as his blade reaches beyond the ice layers to the open water below.
The next picture is the first block being pulled from the lake. There is always a point where the block starts to pull you in before it commits to being pulled out. Each block weighs about 500lbs. The large block will then be cut into three smaller blocks that will be loaded onto sleighs and pulled by snowmobile up to the ice house. There the blocks are unloaded and stacked into position. Many of you have seen our summer ice house and know that it keeps all the fresh produce at a degree above freezing and is one of the reasons we can offer such great food at Caverhill.
The final picture is part of the ice cutting group. Haley, our new dog had dried out by this time after taking a quick dip in the lake and was happy to be in the picture. The standing blocks are extras that we created an “Ice Henge” with for New Years celebrations. Still energy to play after all the hard work was done.
Ice cutting is a historical event and I always think of the men and horses that supplied the ice for cities in California. Fourteen tonnes was just a drop in the bucket.
We are back to normal after the excitement of the holiday season. Record snow levels already bode well for lots of water this summer. Although temperatures have jumped from weeks of -30 to a high today of 0. Very strange weather patterns that I know many of you are also experiencing.
If you would like to comment on the blog or add a story and pictures of your fishing adventures “mouse” over the “No Comments” just beside the title and click or click on the title. A comment window should open up. I will try to post a few photos once a month.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Ice cutting Add new tag, Ice cutting, Pictures, Winter Activites
The 2008 season finished up with glorious weather and great fishing. The cooling water temperatures had the big fish scrambling for one last juicy meal before the lakes were covered with ice. Larry and I also enjoyed the last few fancy meals with our guests before the menu took a drastic turn for the worse. Both the fish and Larry will be looking forward to seeing everyone next year.
After the season ended we pulled boats and winterized cabins and settled in for a slower pace. The fall colors were amazing on the blueberry and bunchberry plants. The leaves were a deep, rich burgundy that was trimmed with gold in the evening sunshine. We enjoyed hikes out to the lakes and by October 20th ice had formed a 1”layer on the smaller lakes tucking them in tightly for winter. Bramon held out until mid November. Caverhill Lake is still open today but the narrows have a thick layer.
Miss Pearl, the hovercraft is going to be put thru her paces in the next few months. It will be great to have the new measure of safety when we start crossing the lake after it has first frozen.
I will write a note every few weeks but we really hope that you will use this site to share your Caverhill stories and relive your adventures. Share fishing tips, favorite flies and information on favorite lakes. Recommend books and articles to other lake fisherman.
Up load pictures of good times or comment and rate your vacation experience.
Ask me for a favorite recipe or send a recipe you think our guests might enjoy.
We hope to make this a friendly information exchange for our regular guests and a window into the Caverhill Lodge experience for new guests.
It will be nice to keep in touch thru out the year.
Sincerely,
Marlene & Larry
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