I needed to unplug.  I hadn't been on the trails for almost two weeks and I could feel it.  I needed some solitude and found it at my favorite campground.

The weather was not looking promising in that area but a little rain doesn't bother me.  In fact, a walk in the rain is peaceful and mind-clearing.

I packed up my vehicle on the evening of the 16th and left early the next day.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue.  It was the perfect beginning to a three hour drive.  

Near the half-way point, clouds were building up and a few raindrops began to fall.  The showers turned to rain at Rocky Mountain House and did not stop until I got to the campground.  By the time I was ready to set up camp, the rain became light and soon stopped; leaving a fresh, forest smell.  I wished that I could bottle that aroma to take home. 

I was in my favorite campsite.  There were only a handful of campers and none of them were close to my site.  When I arrived at the lake, I contemplated a site along the lake shore until I noticed a couple of the RVs parked there had generators so I headed to #37.

It doesn't take long to get camp set up.  I sorted out all the camping gear into convenient, marked tubs so all I have to do is make sure that what goes in each is actually in there each time I come and go.  If that happens, I just grab and go when I get the urge to leave.  

The tent takes only ten minutes to set up.  It takes longer to get the tarp up if it is required and this time it was required.  Rain was in the forecast for the entire time that I was to be there.  The first order of business when everything was set up was to get the camping coffee brewing on the stove.  That gritty, dark roasted beverage is what I look forward to each time I go camping.  There is nothing that comes remotely close to that flavor, grounds and all.

Once camp was set up, I drove down to the day use area at the lake.  The sun peeked through the clouds reflecting on the calm water.  A pair of loons swam close to the dock.  I really wanted to get some good photos of them and made note that they were pretty cooperative that day.

On the way back to my site I stopped at the little campground store to inquire about firewood.  The clerks said that due to significant theft last year, everyone would need to get wood from the bin closest to the store so it could be monitored.  The camp site fees include wood and the bin was nice and handy to the site I was at but having to drive to get the wood is at least better than no wood.  

I stayed at camp that night and enjoyed a bonfire.  There's something magical about staring into those flames and watching the sparks fly as the pine/spruce sap crackles.  That's another smell that I wish that I could bottle up for later use.

As the sun set and the fire waned, I chose to call it a night at 8:30pm.  I was hoping that the mountain air and the cool temperatures would allow me a restful night as I hadn't been sleeping well at home.  Sleep patterns have been disrupted for a few weeks and I needed to catch up.  There were no overnight thunder storms and no forest fire helicopters overhead.  Silence prevailed and so did my sleep.  I woke only a couple times to adjust the toque on my head as the overnight temperature dipped to +4C.  It was heavenly and so was my sleep.  I don't recall the last time that I had at least eight hours consecutively.

I could see my breath when I stepped out of the tent in the morning.  The sun was coming up over the trees and began streaming through the upper branches.  Coffee and hot oatmeal was on the menu and it sure tasted good.

My day was spent driving west on the David Thompson highway.  There is an ecological reserve along the way.  Bluebird houses are set up on the posts.  They are numbered and monitored.  This is the first year that it looked like the majority of the houses were occupied.  I could see the 'nestee' sitting on the barbed wire beside his/her house.

My first stop was at Landslide Lake.  Many years ago I participated in a photography workshop.  The instructors took us there for an outing shortly after a controlled burn was held in that area.  It's been fabulous watching how the forest changes each year.  The black ashes from the fire are covered now with bright green grass and colorful wildflowers.  The snags are losing their burnt bark and the shiny white trunks are showing.  The birds have returned, bringing their chorus of songs back to a quiet landscape.

As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed a couple of bluebirds in a nearby branch.  I watched as they gathered food and brought it to a hole in one of the tree trunks close to the outhouses.  I soon realized that they had nested in the hole.  There was a boulder a short distance away that made the perfect observation spot for me.  I wasn't on the clock and had no particular place to be so spent a half hour watching the busy parents feed their young.  What a great opportunity I had.

I drove west again, taking in the landscape.  The mountains looming in the distance.  The burned out areas left from the Spreading Creek fire last year were changing.  Even though it has only been one year, there were signs of new growth between the burnt trunks.  Many of the snags have toppled, creating interesting patterns on the forest floor.

The ditches were filled with colorful wildflowers.  Prairie lilies, Indian paintbrush in various shades and vetch to name only a few.  I stopped now and again to take some photos of those that I could not name and had never seen in the wild before.  Mother Nature's flower garden was brimming with color. 

I drove into Banff National Park to the Mistaya Canyon.  It is a favorite spot.  I love listening to the surge of water in the rapids as it makes its way to the drop in the canyon.  The power of the water can be felt by the spray created as it falls.  There were a number of tourists there, visiting from other countries.  It made me realize how grateful I was to have such pristine, majestic beauty less than a half day drive from home.  How lucky we are.

Waterfowl Lakes campground is on my list to camp at once again.  I've camped there only once and remember the smells and sounds which makes me want to revisit.  I drove south to check out the sites, not knowing that it does not open until the end of June.  That just gives me a reason for another trip in the not so distant future.

Rain showers began on my way back to my campground.  I decided to drive through a number of the smaller campgrounds along the highway to see what they had to offer.  All were in the same situation as Fish Lake.  There was no firewood in the bins.  Many had signs posted to see hosts at other campgrounds for wood.  The thieves have made it an inconvenience for all those who care for and appreciate what nature has to offer.

I returned to my site in the mid afternoon.  After a quick lunch, the fishing rod, camera and I went to the lake.  A couple of fly fishermen with their hip waders on were trying their luck along the shore close to the cookhouse.  I wandered further south and found a bench to

park myself on.  Most times I don't end up fishing for very long.  I don't have the patience to sit and wait and wait and wait.  I get even more impatient when I can see that the fish are nibbling on my bait but not biting my hook.  I pulled the line out of the water and brought the camera out.  

The loons must have known that I wanted some photos of them.  They put on quite the show for me.  As I left the lake, they serenaded me with their haunting call across the water.  That was the perfect way to end that visit.

I went back to camp for supper and still had time for one more visit to the lake.  This time I hiked the trail.  If the camera is not with me, the hike takes about 45 minutes but with a camera it takes much longer.  The sky cleared.  The raindrops were still dripping from the tree branches.  The

sun's rays were shining through the treetops.  The moss and the needles on the forest floor smelled heavenly.  The squirrels chattered and the birds sang.  At that moment, I was sure glad that I was unplugged.  The peace and serenity of the forest is an experience like non-other.

My evening was spent by the campfire.  I was getting ready to call it a night when I noticed some movement by the outhouses.  A beautiful white-tail buck was staring at me through the trees.  It didn't move and neither did I so he continued eating the long tender grasses.  That was the perfect way to end the day.

The next morning was pack up day to head home.  I didn't want to leave but loaded up anyway.  I always make sure that I leave the site cleaner than when I arrived; picking up the bottle caps and litter left by the previous campers.  A stop at the lake was in order before

hitting the road.  The loons were out on the water.  A hare hopped out of the bushes in search of food.  A chipmunk scurried under a nearby log.  Fish Lake's creatures came to say good by until next time.

It was a perfect trip and much needed.  I caught up on my sleep and was able to unwind.  I left the area feeling rested and so grateful for the solitude that this area provides.