Winagami to Charlie Lake PP, May 31

Woke up to a beautiful, sunny morning and the morning chorus was in full swing.  The White-throated Sparrows were everywhere singing their hearts out.  I could also hear the hard clack of several Ovenbirds in the area surrounding understory.  After my morning coffee sitting in the zero gravity chair and listening to God’s chorus all about me, I got busy, prepared the trailer for travel and headed out.  I was on the road by 8:15 heading to Dawson Creek and the start of the Alaska Highway officially.  The drive was very nice as I headed west with bright sun and a slight southwesterly wind giving me some assistance instead of the previous times bucking a northwest wind.  The area for the most part is very flat prairie and the predominated crop seems to be wheat, although I’m told they grow barley and hops as well.  The massive fields of canola have not been planted as yet, but on my return trip the fields should be covered in beautiful, yellow blooms.

Unfortunately, there was no Tim Hortons along the way, at least that I saw.  I passed through many small towns, all with massive silos for storing their crops and eventually I began to see the evidence of oilfield activity.  By the time I got to Dawson Creek it was near noon, but since I crossed into British Columbia time reverted to PDT so I gained an hour.  After a short stop to give Dulce a chance to walk around and find where other dogs have been and a short visit in the Visitor Center we headed on to Ft. Saint John.  There I did find a Tim Hortons and had my lunch, and a donut of course, before heading on out to Charlie Lake PP a short 6 miles north of town.  Speaking of town, Ft. Saint John, has made a massive change in the 19 years since I first passed through this area on my way to Alaska the first time.  In 1998, there was only a quick stop for fuel and a few items found in 7 elevens.  Then in 2003, there were a few business as the oil play in the area had begun.  Then when I arrived in 2007 there were several hotels, grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants, but it still quite small.  This time I was blown away.  The traffic was ferocious, there was a Super Walmart, several Tim Hortons, restaurants and hotels all along the highway and it appears a fairly large community that is very busy. 

Made it on to Charlie Lake got my trailer set up, took Dulce for a walk and was amazed at the park.  The last time I was here there was maybe 12 sites (53 today) roughly developed, no facilities such as water and about the only item was a picnic table.  Now there are pit toilets everywhere in the park, many water supply stations and someone here fulltime to collect the fees.  This afternoon I took a three and a half hike through the massive balsam poplar and mixed aspen groves to the lake and back.  Along the way I heard the resident White-throated Sparrows singing their endless song, a greater number of Yellow Warbles make their presence known and I saw a single Swainson’s Thrush who posed for a picture.  I could also her the occasional Ovenbird clacking in the understory and a few American Robins played along the trail and one let me approach within 5 feet before flying.  Back at camp I took a short nap, shower and shave before writing the blog and getting ready to head back to Tim Hortons to scam off their internet and have a cup of coffee.