Date:         Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:11:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      quick trip report
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recently returned from 2 week vacation in south central BC. Husband,
wife, 12 year old son, 2 large dogs, canoe and 3 bikes in/on vanagon
westy (82 diesel, gas conversion).

We stayed first 3 nights at Manning Park (Lightning Lake) to
unwind... Weather was hot, too hot to hike so most of the time spent
reading or canoeing. I have said before and I will say again, for all
its popularity, Manning Park is still a gem. One can get away from
the other campers by just going that extra 10 minute walk.

 From Manning we headed through Princeton to Kentucky-Alleyne prov.
park. Again a popular and busy site, but it has old sentimental value
and was good for one night's stay and a lot of swimming to cool off.

 From K-A we went through Merritt, stopping for supplies (usually we
stop at "books of merritt" to restock on reading material, but the
location was vacant. Enquiring at a coffee shop resulted in a puzzled
look from server, I don't think books were any sort of priority for
her).

Then on to Kamloops, stopping at Surplus Herbies, son bought a 1916
model Swiss Army helmet. Wore it in the van, got looks :)


 From Kamloops west to Cache Creek, then north to Loon Lake turn-off,
past Loon Lake and finally at Scot Lake. First time we were there was
8 years ago, nice little lake, good fishing. Over the years we have
seen the progression of pine beetle damage, this year the lodgepoles
in the forestry campsite had been cut down, campsite looked pretty
desolate. But we camped up on a wooded hill that still had lake
access. Weather turned grey and cold, stayed 2 nights then decided to
go west to the Chilcotin. We passed through 100 Mile House, stopping
for supplies.

I've been to 100 mile quite a few times, starting in the 80's doing
the Caribou marathon (X-C skiing). But god, it sure hasn't gotten any
better over the years. I have to say it is a hole.
But, in the supermarket parking lot, I met a Swede with a very nice
Volvo Lapplander (6 wheel version). We talked, he plans to immigrate
to the area and has 11 Lapplanders and is going to start a rental
biz. Interesting idea, and boy oh boy, is his Lapplander a lust
worthy thing. Was a radio truck and he raised the back enough to
stand in. Camperised and very capable (like a slightly larger
Pinzgauer).


That evening we ended up at little Big Bar lake, another old fav.
Again all the trees down, and the access road improved enough to
allow a bus type RV in. Arghh, generator, not so much fun. One night
there and we headed back to Scot lake, weather had changed, hot and
windy, we spent rest of vacation there (up on hill campsite), really
having fun.

I'll post some equipment reviews soon (shady boy awning, battery
separator, bike rack, dot- it lights, newest home-made grill, etc)

Alistair
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/