The highlights of our annual family camping trip this year has to be all about the bears.  It was likely due to the smoke that filled BC that bears and moose were seen in areas they don’t normally go.  The bears we saw where we were camping in the interior (near Aspen Grove) didn’t seem to be aware of the dangers people pose to them.  We saw this bear from the boat while we were fishing.  She was eating berries, frolicking in the bushes and when she noticed us, she came down to the shore.

Later, as I was strolling on a path very close to our campsite, a bear came out of the woods just ahead of me.  We looked at each other and both decided it was best if we just turn around a head the other way.  These were not the only bear sightings and, while I love to see them, I really hope that they find their way back to a safer environment.  That is to say, somewhere where they won’t keep bumping into people.

This will give you an idea of the smoke.  We had only one day of really bad smoke.  Apparently, this little area had the least smoke.

Of course, we saw the usual loons and osprey.  Occasionally, we see a heron, which isn’t usually easy because they blend in with the branches. But this guy decided he would take advantage of the new dock that was put in this year.  I was lucky to catch him in flight.

Camping is not the same without fishing and this year, I not only caught the first fish, but I caught the largest fish and the most fish.  With my newly decreased fishing license fee, my fish now cost less than $15 per fish.

Now isn’t this the life?

There was some canoeing, hiking and exploring involved.  This canoe was made locally (New Westminster) over 60 years ago.

Our friend, Stamata (you know her if you read comments) and her pal ‘Gus’ joined ‘Hunter’ and us on this adventure.

This is Gus.

And this is Hunter (the little one) with Dexter, our  7-month old Saint Bernard-Great Pyrenese cross neighbour.

And this is Everett, also a neighbour.  Her personality was just as cute as her picture.  She was lovable and adorable.

As usual, here are some random scenes taken throughout our fabulous holiday.

 

                                                                                                                                What’s next?  The world (sans USA) is before us….