Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Camping at George Lake (north island)
We exist the ferry, hoping we will find the next FS site as darkness is approaching quickly. Fortunately for us the Ferry came in 1 hour early which allows us to get to our site and set up before dark settles in. We skirt around Port Hardy down Holberg Road. This road quickly turns to gravel. We drive a considerable distance. At one point I see what appears to be an abandoned forest road grown over with bush. I hope this is not the one I am looking for. The road winds up and down the hills, decorated with clear cuts and rocky outcrops. We finally come to George Lake turn off. We cross a bridge that has a load limit of 68 T. Bax jokes that we might be overweight. When the motorcyle is poorly packed one sure notices it. I am squished against the hard gas tank, while bax is crushed between packs. We drive past a large cut block in a huge gully. The primary trees here are cedar but I suspect they are already cutting 2nd and 3rd generation trees. They grow like weeds in these parts, and the only old growth trees remain in inaccessible spots or areas protected by park legislation.
We come to the FS site. It is situated at the mouth of George Lake which is approximately 7 km long narrow lake. We are only about 10 km inland from the channel our ferry navigated through less than an hour before. There are 6-8 campsites however we chose to set up on the gravel wash out that empties directly into the lake. The weather looks awesome and I hope for a peaceful night, otherwise we will be swamped in the open like this. We unpack the bike and do our delegated duties. Bax and I are starting to get into a routine. 1st unload the bike, then scan the tent site for sharp objects. Lay the ground sheet, unpack and set up the tent. Bax's job is to set up the thermarests, sleeping bag, and get the liners (that Tam graciously made for us) situated in the bags so they don't bunch up. We then make some hot chocolate, hop into bed, read a chapter of Zen. Bax goes to sleep quickly while I wait for sleep to come
We come to the FS site. It is situated at the mouth of George Lake which is approximately 7 km long narrow lake. We are only about 10 km inland from the channel our ferry navigated through less than an hour before. There are 6-8 campsites however we chose to set up on the gravel wash out that empties directly into the lake. The weather looks awesome and I hope for a peaceful night, otherwise we will be swamped in the open like this. We unpack the bike and do our delegated duties. Bax and I are starting to get into a routine. 1st unload the bike, then scan the tent site for sharp objects. Lay the ground sheet, unpack and set up the tent. Bax's job is to set up the thermarests, sleeping bag, and get the liners (that Tam graciously made for us) situated in the bags so they don't bunch up. We then make some hot chocolate, hop into bed, read a chapter of Zen. Bax goes to sleep quickly while I wait for sleep to come
# posted by bax or dad @ 10:57 AM 
