So, Kevin really loves hiking, fishing, camping, and all things outdoors. Yeah yea yeah, we all know that already. He also has a friend, Doug, who is equally fond of the great outdoors and is basically always up for an adventure. When Kevin and Doug get brainstorming, Melanie (Doug's wife) and I get a little nervous.
I'm pretty sure that's how this next trip got started: as a crazy brainstorm between Kevin and Doug.
This brainstorm, after much online research, led them to drive up to Canada (Vancouver B.C.) to each purchase a Stryker inflatable boat (http://www.strykerboats.com).
Which then led them to research and purchase motors to go with their new inflatable boats.
Which then led Melanie and I to wonder where in the world we were going to store these new amazing, well-researched boats and motors.
Anyway, after much planning, a few hurdles to overcome, and a lot of anticipation, in August of 2015 we were on our way up to Ross Lake National Park in the North Cascades (https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm).
Just getting there was honestly a bit of an adventure. While you can access the lake from the US side with canoes or kayaks, etc., there is currently no actual boat launch. So, we had to drive into Canada, do the whole boarder crossing thing (where I was required to dump out my carefully stored eggs), head to the small town of Hope for food and all the fresh groceries we weren't allowed to bring over the border, and then branch off on a dirt road for the National Park.
The first night of our trip was a bit questionable, and I for one was beginning to wonder what we had gotten ourselves into. We had forgotten an item for the week that proved to be a bit difficult to find, there weren't many food choices in Hope and our Dairy Queen dinner that evening was only somewhat palatable, and about halfway along the fairly lengthy dirt road to the park, two random (and somewhat dirty and perhaps stoned) strangers emerged from the trees waiving us down--fortunately a ranger happened to be following close behind and took over the encounter.
Then, once we made it into the actual park, there was hardly a person in sight, which is sometimes a great thing but on this particular occasion felt a little creepy. To top it off, as soon as we got out of the car to set up our tent, we were swarmed by mosquitos and bugs and had to rush as quickly as we could to get the tent assembled and jump on in.
Needless to say, I was a little worried for the rest of the week.
But then this happened ...
The next morning was gorgeous. It was quite a bit of work getting our boat inflated and assembled and getting all our stuff loaded up--we were heading to boat-in only campsites, which really are the best in the park by far!! But once all that was done (after two boat loads), we arrived at a beautiful, serene, and secluded (in the good way) Little Beaver campground.
We basically had our own private doc, which we utilized to its full extent.
We spent the day enjoying the warm sunshine and the beauty of this amazing place.
In the evening we cooked dinner and messed around.
The next day was equally beautiful, and to cause even more excitement, Doug, Melanie, and family arrived!
We had a great time hanging around camp--eating, relaxing in the hammock, and even getting in a round of backwoods putt putt golf (mini wiffle balls and random sticks or branches).
Mae managed to strike a few poses during the down time.
And of course, we fished!!
And fished!
And fished some more!
And then before we knew it--and after plenty of game playing, swimming, boating, and rock jumping--we were on our way back home.
We managed to fit in the boat (barely) with only one load this time, which was nice!
Oh, and I forgot to mention, James completed his online boaters certification with Kevin before the trip, so he got to take turns "driving" the boat throughout the week--which he thoroughly enjoyed (bottom right pic).
And that was that. Goodbye Ross Lake. I suppose we'll be seeing you again very soon!
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