Too Be Continued...

Sullivan Lake

While the rain patters on the tin roof and the Big Fella snores, yours truly will attempt to complete what was started last night -the internet IS marginally better here in Balfour, BC. Tonight Moose and Mosquito are set-up by the shores of Kootenay Lake  -and it is lovely even in the rain.

We survived the Grotto -cluster of big rocks and a cave- and the stench of skunk and continued the drive up the Pend Orielle until the turn off to Sullivan Lake. Gabe  suggested this route and it did not disappoint -spectacular scenery. Also he emphasized a stop at the old Mill Pond with an interpretive trail and artifacts from the early 20th century. It was supposed to be just beyond Sullivan Lake. After two attempts we found the Mill Pond. The first stop -a closed forest service campground which claimed to be the Mill Pond and warned of both grizzly and black bear frequenting the area. Gulp. Undaunted we walked what seemed like miles down to what was indeed a closed US Forest Service campground. Yours truly kept a running banter going to ward off any bears lurking in the area. No Mill Pond with artifacts here. I happened to mention that based on the map, the Mill Pond was right off the road and -ahem- that was the case. It was an interesting exhibit and collection of stuff.  A dam was built to provide power for both industrial and residential uses in Ione which at that time was named Cement. The Mill Pond was not really a Mill Pond but a small lake formed after the creek was dammed. The dam and a few other things remain. And I am not sure why it is called a Mill Pond -there was no mill.

Old dam

S

Mill Pond

The museums on this Moose and Mosquito Tour have been a bit of a bust.  Either closed for the year, or only opened on weekends, or disorganized conglomerations that bear a strong resemblance to what we all may have in our basements or garages,so far they are not very inspiring and a source of disappointment for the Big Fella.  The exception is the historical museum in Chelan. It was quite good. There are several hydroelectric dams - Box Canyon Dam, Boundary Dam,( Seattle City Light facility which generates 40% of the electricity for City Light), Brillant Dam (brillant name!) and others that will go unmentioned. Tours are conducted in the summer, of course (maybe we should schedule the next camping adventure in early September?!?). But views of the structures can be seen via road side pull outs or driving up and down narrow roads, then hiking down to a cantalevered platform clinging to a cliff.  Fun stuff.

Trestle over Box Canyon Dam

Boundary Dam

Remnants of a fresh water system

 

Fun fact: The Pend Oreille River flows north. The art walk in Castlegar BC was more entertaining than the historical museum. There is a large community of Dukobhors in Castlegar.

Wild life update!  We are in moose country but so far zippo moose but several wild turkeys, bald eagle, a very small black bear, and a beaver.

Tomorrow -weather permitting- we head back to Nelson for a walking tour which will no doubt include a museum and a couple of breweries.  Well, maybe only one brewery.

Beaver