Roberts Roost

It's a New Year

2012-01-01T12:53:00.002-08:00

I rang in the New Year by being a taxi driver for the kids. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come. Keith is in Alberta working anyway, so it was a good night to just hang out with my mom and sister watching movies.

After the last child was back home at 12:30, I went straight to the computer to handle the midnight reservation requests. I was in bed by three and think that it was a great start to my year and the dreaded 'New Year's Resolution' of death to procrastination! Keith and I are taking on another business each this year, so time management will be a must. Keith gets to spend his 'extra time' with his new baby, property management while I will be concentrating on landscape design.

This year we are going to learn how to not micro-manage the campground and put some faith in whatever wonderful employees we find this year. We are also going to learn how to relax and spend some time enjoying the beautiful lake that we live on. We have decided that it is time for the kids to step up to the plate a little and learn the office. I know they will be wonderful once they learn how to have a little more self confidence in themselves. I also know that we have wonderful clientele that will give them a gentle boost when needed. That being said, you know that we'll still always be around. You can't get rid of us that easily! We're just going to break up the 8am-12am shift a little and give some of it to other people.

As always, we are always thinking of new ways to streamline the operation of the campground and maximize enjoyment for campers. Please send us suggestions for any ideas you may have. Everything and anything will be considered!

Snow Day!

2011-12-16T21:50:00.002-08:00

This morning we woke up to a foot of wet, sloppy snow. The car tried it's best to make its way out of our rather formidable (in the winter at least) driveway to no avail. I was stuck 10 feet out the garage door. So, I did what any self respecting girl would do. I called my mommy.

Gook road was impassable to anything other than 4 wheel drive, so I walked out to the highway so my mom could pick me up. Of course today was the staff potluck lunch at my school, so I also had to carry a tray of food.

It was still snowing and the snow was up to my knees as I trudged through the unplowed roads. When I was almost at my destination (after several people had passed me already) a very gentlemanly neighbour finally stopped to ask if I might need a ride. I didn't, but I loved the fact that in this day and age, someone would still find it within themselves to ask.

It is now ten o'clock in the evening and the snow has turned to rain making a bad situation on the roads even worse. Keith is currently on his way home through the pine pass and will be driving through the night. We hope that he travels safely and that anyone in need of a helping hand tonight finds a good-hearted fellow traveler on the road willing to help out. -R

Summer?

2011-09-08T20:21:00.003-07:00

I realize that, once again, I have been a very bad blogger. In my defense, I was encouraging Keith to fill a page with the inner workings of his brain (only what pertains to the roost)but the plans grew too big for our limited free time. Suffice to say, you missed out on something great. Maybe once things slow down at our little piece of paradise, he will be able to bless you with his ramblings and photographic styling. Until then, you're stuck with me. Spoiler Alert - his post may or may not involve some costume changes as well as an uncooperative Chihuahua and a black lab.

Lots has happened since our last post in June. We've installed automatic exit gates (entrance coming soon), hosted 10 days of Dog Agility Trials and training camps at the park, enjoyed Billy Barker Days (from a distance), had a pleasant visit with our exchange student from China (we do apologize to his parents if he arrives back home a little more warped than when he left), completed a LOT of painting at the park, said goodbye for the season to our wonderful work campers - Zane & Donna, and spent many days inside reading while the rain drizzled/poured down outside. The weather did not lend itself to many days spent lounging outside in the sun, but it was a perfect year to plant any type of vegetation and have it thrive.

September brought the sun though, and it's been wonderful. I has been hotter in the last few days than it has been all summer and I plan on enjoying every minute of it!

Until next time.... - R.

The re-location & re-assignment of Trailer #3

2011-06-26T12:56:00.003-07:00

For a lot of our customers who have spent years in trailer three down on the point, I am posting some pictures of a project that was undertaken in April of this year.

Trailer 3 is an older trailer that does not have the benefit of any air conditioning. It sat right down on the point where it received the full brunt of the hot afternoon sun. And, due to it's age, was not the nicest trailer for everyone to look at all year long!

After much debating, we decided to de-commission the trailer and move it to site #1 where it is right beside our front gate. This is a nice shady site and is a prime location for either a new office location or for a night security person.

The first set of pictures is a collage of 'moving day'. Keith had just gotten home from the oil fields in Alberta, so his truck was a little filthier than usual!

From this:

To this (note the nice new paint job? Now it blends right in and I don't even see it!)

Spring...

2011-04-21T22:09:00.004-07:00

Although I typed the title a little tentatively, I think spring is finally here. In the Cariboo, spring is much more than just a date on the calendar, and usually has its own ideas as to when it will truly arrive.

Last night the sound the nesting birds were making was incredible. It could not be described as anything other than a cacaphony, but it was still beautiful to fall asleep to. And, although there is still a chill in the air, when the sun makes an appearance during the day it is downright glorious! Spring flowering bulbs have started poking up in the gardens and grass is starting to green up in areas. Most importantly, the ice is slowly retreating from our shores.

As I type this post there are a few hardy campers sitting around a nice warm campfire, enjoying the late night symphony that can only be heard on a lake in spring. The tinkle of shifting ice, a late night breeze though the dried cattails, and birds.... Lots and lots of birds!

Even though it is still cold at night, Keith could not wait any longer for camping season to start and has turned on water to the sites. Today was our first official day open for 2011.

Let the games begin!

Turn out the Lights

2011-03-26T16:43:00.003-07:00

Help symbolically express your concern for the earth by turning off your lights at 8:30.

Several restaurants in town are helping out by having 'dinner by candlelight' events, but Hannah and I have opted to stay home. After much thought, we have decided that nothing would be better than lighting our first campfire of the year and roasting hotdogs (veggie for Hannah) and marshmallows.

What are your plans for the evening?

Ice Fishing

2010-12-06T19:52:00.002-08:00

Huts are popping up all over the lake and ice fishing has started with a vengeance. Thickness of the ice is about 5", and yesterday, my dad caught a fish so big, he almost couldn't get it out of the hole!

The bonus to ice fishing on Dragon Lake - the fish aren't muddy at this time of year, and you can still catch the big lunkers!

Snow and Swans

2010-11-13T10:08:00.004-08:00

Winter is officially here. Last night we had our first snow fall of the season, and although it is already melting, I know that more is on the way.

We were paid our annual pre-winter visit by the swans yesterday. Even though their visit often coincides with snow, it's always nice to see them as they scare away the geese. I know that swans are just as, if not more, aggressive as geese - but there are also only four of them and about 100 geese. They also don't wear out their welcome as they are often only here for a few days at the most.

It's very cool to watch the four swans swimming towards the geese to temporarily claim the lake shore. The geese try to act tough for as long as they can, but fly away when the geese get to about 100 feet away. There is plenty of posturing on both sides during the confrontation and it's almost like two gangs meeting on the street.

Plans for today include: staying off the roads until the snow is completely gone, lighting the wood stove, making a batch of Chai tea and getting some homework done while I watch life unfold out my kitchen window.- R

Remembrance Day

2010-11-10T17:37:00.003-08:00

Tomorrow the kids and I will head down to the Cenotaph downtown. We will remember those who have fallen while protecting our country and the liberty of others.

I will think of my great grandpa, whom I never got to meet, as well as all the hardships that were endured by the loved ones who survived.

We will think of those who are still sacrificing their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

Tomorrow, at eleven o'clock, please make sure you take a few minutes to remember.

Where has the summer gone?

2010-09-30T19:43:00.003-07:00

I know that my posts have been rather erratic. Not the best method to garner more readers, but between Facebook, Twitter and the blog, I start to wonder if I have anything interesting left to say!

September and the end of summer always seems to catch me off guard. Although I adore the freedom of summer, fall is my favourite season. I love how a sunny fall day can have a crispness in the air that makes you feel hot and cold all at the same time.

We have had a beautiful second half of the month and everyone is happy to be out on the lake in the sunshine. Sadly, I can count on one hand the times that I've made it out on the lake this year and will have to work harder at making sure we all stop and take a look around once in awhile. We are very lucky that the kids help us out as much as they do and hopefully it gets easier as they get older.

I have been putting off cutting back the perennials and tossing the annuals as I still like the look of their yellowing foliage. Some of them are still blooming and I like to keep the summer flowers around as long as I possibly can. I usually tend to wait just a tad too long though, and am really trying hard to find that perfect day between our warm Indian Summer and cold miserable snow to get the job done. Having to pour hot water over your frozen solid annual pots, just so you can dump them and keep your ceramic pots from cracking, is not a fun chore.

As we start to put the business to bed for the winter, we can't help but start to think about next season already. There's always big plans in the works, and hopefully we have the time to accomplish them in the spring before the season is upon us. Fingers crossed for another early ice off! - Robin

August

2010-08-19T10:01:00.007-07:00

August has been a busy month so far, we had some beautiful weddings in the heart garden, best wishes to those that got married.

We were booked solid for August long weekend, I hope it is at least half as good for September long weekend.As people start to get their children ready for school which goes back in session in less than a month, things will start to slow down. We have had visitors form everywhere, we had a couple all the way from Australia just the other day. So we enjoy hearing where you're from and how far you have traveled to come see us. We also enjoy seeing the B.C. and the Alberta travelers.

But wild fires have slowed down on the traveling a little bit, the weather has been a little nasty, with the smoke and the ash. There are days that we can't see the lake through the smoke. At least the fires are not too close so we don't have to worry too much. Our thoughts are with the ones that the fires are effecting! But we do like see the die hard campers that will come rain or smoke.

So we are looking forward to seeing the campers that are planning on coming to see us in the next couple of months. - B

July

2010-08-07T13:48:00.002-07:00

July was an exciting month at Robert's Roost. We were at full capacity for much of it, and had to turn away several campers who were caught unaware during Billy Barker Days.

Dog Agility camps and trials again took place for about 14 days. Our campers got to watch these amazing dogs and their handlers go over ladders, through tunnels, over jumps and weave in and out of poles. The weather was smoking hot and everyone got maybe a bit more of a workout than they wanted! By the end of the camp (put on by Kim Collins @ Pawsitive Steps) there were probably more than a few campers who were happy to head home to their own beds!

Quesnel's annual summer festival, Billy Barker Days, happened to occur during the camp, and we welcomed many more visitors to the park. We stayed home for the majority of the weekend as we were busy, but we did manage to take the kids down to the park to watch the fireworks after we closed the office on Sunday night.

The month of July was hot and dry, and many fires started around the Cariboo at the end of the month. All were caused by lightning and most of BC is on a campfire ban. The air quality has been touch and go lately with some days better than others. On the worst day I was looking out my window and I would almost trick myself into believing that it was winter! We received a large amount of rain last night, and again today, so hopefully it will help put out the fires.

For any of our fishermen coming to visit us this fall, the lake level is awfully low right now and the surface temperature has been similar to bath water. Here's hoping for a little bit more of this cool weather and rain (never thought I'd hear myself say that) and a better snow pack this winter. The fish are still biting, but not with any frequency.

At the moment I am content to listen to the rain, drink my tea and watch the children play.

Future Politician

2010-06-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

As I am watching a storm blow in over the lake, I am reminded about how much I love living here. Not only do I get to see beautiful, awe-inspiring scenery, I also get to meet people from all over the world. Some of our returning guests have become great friends and we look forward to their yearly visits.

Tonight as the storm was just starting to make its presence felt, my husband came in the office to ask me if I had checked a camper into the back field. I had responded that I hadn't, but that I would check the computer as we had help here today and we may have a guest that I am yet not aware of. We usually like to make sure we know who every single person is in the park at all times as it can be a security issue.

After a quick check, his suspicions were confirmed. There was no one staying with us in a tenting site. The reason for his query is that he had just spoken with a gentleman at the water/sani-dump station who was filling numerous 5 gallon jugs with our treated water. His vehicle was not familiar and my husband had made the comment that he seemed to be in need of a large quantity of water. He was told that since they were staying with us in an unserviced site they needed it. That's fine with us, but it did make us wonder what he could possibly need with that much water over the course of a night. At about this point we started to think that maybe he was a great storyteller and we were a captive audience.

We do not like to jump to conclusions, however, so I went to go see if I recognized him. I didn't. By this time he was making his way to the showers where his wife had been, and I found myself in the uncomfortable position of having to let him know that we do not permit use of the facilities by people not staying here. Now he owns a large holiday rambler and they were just checking out the park to make sure that it's large enough to accommodate their large turning radius. He then proceeded to stay parked by the shower house to see if I would leave. I didn't and he eventually gave up. Did I mention that it was raining?

Later on our drive tonight, we noticed this guy (notice how he is no longer called a gentleman?) parked at the local WalMart parking lot. If you prefer to boondock in parking lots during your travels, that is up to you. What that means though is that you get all the perks that come with not paying for your site. Level parking spot... check. Shopping for all your supplies at the crack of dawn... check. What it does not entitle you to is a hot shower and treated water at the RV Park down the road. RV Parks across North America are disappearing at an alarming rate because they are finding it more and more difficult to compete with free. For $30/night (the most expensive site) you could have hooked up your water and sewer hose, hooked into our cable to catch up on all your favourite shows and surfed the net to your hearts content. You also could have woken up to the sound of the loons in the morning and watched the mist rise off the lake as you enjoyed your morning coffee. Instead, you chose to freeze your butt off in the rain as you stood there with a hose crouched in the back of your pickup truck. You also went without a shower... again. On the flip side though, you did get to go back to your half a million dollar coach parked in the local parking lot. Lucky you. You are also getting more and more adept at telling your tall tales. Maybe by the end of your trip you will have all the experience necessary to start your political career.

If you would have just been honest and come into the office, we would have shown you around and treated you like a guest. We love the challenge that comes with converting the hardcore parking lot fanatics, and I am proud to say that we have a very high success rate. -R

Saving the Tree.... We hope.

2010-06-13T15:11:00.004-07:00

The giant willow tree beside the picnic shelter has been the backdrop to many great adventures at Robert's Roost. Children love sitting on its' large, bench-like branches and often have to be coerced down by parents when it's time for supper.

Over the years, the weight of the rather large limbs have become too much for the tree, and it developed a large crack down the trunk. It was now a safety issue. We did not want to lose this gem of a tree, so we called in the expert. Thank you Kevin for taking the tree down to a more manageable size. The kids can now spend many more years playing on and around their favourite willow tree.

Update

2010-05-29T15:13:00.003-07:00

I can't believe that it has been over a month since our last post. Since then we have had a full campground which makes finding the time to post a little challenging. We have had work crews here working the pulp mill shut down, visitors from Europe discovering this wonderful province of ours, a large wedding, May long weekend, and visits from lots of our long term guests.

The beginning of May brought some of the best fishing that many people have ever had on Dragon Lake. Last week was pretty slow due to colder weather and choppy water, but it is starting to pick up a bit again today to to a large hatch.

I have managed to get out in the kayak a total of two times this year (once with my son and once with Keith) and we have taken a tour of the lake a few times in the boat once the office closes. Thank goodness for longer days!

So far we have had a great start to year and I have absolutely no complaints in the weather department. Except of course for the morning of snow a few weeks ago. That I could have lived without! We are looking forward to a great summer full of Dog Agility Camp, Billy Barker Days and hot days relaxing in the sun. We are booking up fast, so if you are thinking of coming to see us for a few days, make sure you make an advance reservation. -R

And the Winner is....

2010-04-21T10:23:00.003-07:00

Okay, so maybe we didn't win a Grammy or an Oscar, but for a campground it's pretty cool. Due to our 4W rating in the '2010 Woodall's North American Directory', we received a certificate to acknowledge this achievement.

According to the letter that came with it, only 25% of privately owned parks in the 2010 edition attained this rating, and we just keep getting better.

What more encouragement do you need to come check us out?

Balance

2010-04-17T16:08:00.004-07:00

This year will be our third summer operating Robert's Roost. Although we knew it would be a lifestyle change, the first year caught us totally off guard. We were already used to working long hours at our previous job, but had the convenience of working in a location with an onsite restaurant. This helped ensure that our children actually got fed. They were even able to eat healthy food due to all the homemade soups and sandwiches. Unfortunately it also taught them the phrase, "Just put it on Mom and Dad's tab." Being here, we had to actually make the effort to eat. It was a common occurence to be reminded by the kids at nine o'clock at night that we haven't had dinner yet. We became best friends with every delivery driver in town!

We were lucky enough to have great staff to help us through the first few years and we are getting better at not trying to do everything ourselves. We even went out on the boat a few times last year! Although we are starting to find the balance between family and work time we still feel like we don't spend enough time with the kids over the summer holiday. This has led Keith to the conclusion that we need to take them for a mini-vacation sometime before they head back to school.

I said I was getting better at letting go, not that I was cured! There are just too many things that can happen unexpectedly. Electrical outlets needing immediate replacement, water lines bursting, internet shutting down, hot water heater needing a little TLC, boat motors needing tweaking, campers needing to locate an after hours vet at three in the morning, etc... etc... etc.... We can't leave all that for our employees!

Maybe I can talk him into a nice vacation in Hixon....

2010-04-10T19:31:00.005-07:00

As I was browsing through Quesnel's local book store, I happened upon Brian Smith's book, 'Fly Fishing BC's Interior'. In this guide, Brian shares information on local fishing spots as well as fly tying patterns and fishing techniques. Some of the lakes he writes about in the Quesnel area are: 10 Mile, Bellos, Bishop (Brown), Marmot, Fishpot, the Blackwater River and Tributaries as well as my personal favourite, Dragon Lake.

As I read the book, I was starting to think that the author, is a very knowledgeable man. I had pretty much come to this conclusion already, but when I read this sentence, there was no doubt left in my mind as to the infinite wisdom of Brian Smith. "The accommodation at Robert's Roost on Dragon Lake is the finest among the region's campgrounds (see website at www.robertsroostcampsite.ca)." Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

If you are planning on fishing the waters of the Central Interior or North Cariboo, I highly suggest picking up a copy of this book. And Brian, if you are planning on staying with us again, we would love to have you in for a glass of celebratory wine.

Congratulations on the fantastic book! - Robin & Keith.

Good News...

2010-03-28T16:05:00.005-07:00

Well, I have some good news and I have some bad news. The Good news is that the winds have been blowing the ice off the lake at a phenomenal speed.

The bad news is that it has been blowing it this way!

Spring Fishing?

2010-03-25T22:39:00.002-07:00

So far our 'official' (so long as the weather co-operates) opening date for the RV sites is April 10. We have been receiving lots of phone calls from eager fishermen who are just itching to get out fishing, and the number one question on everyone's mind right now is, 'When will the ice be off the lake?'

I just checked Environment Canada's website, and this is their forcast for the next few days:

Tonight: Cloudy. A few showers beginning this evening. Low plus 5.

Friday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High 12.

Friday night: Cloudy periods. Becoming cloudy near midnight. Low plus 3.

Saturday: Cloudy. High 12.

Sunday: Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. Low plus 5. High 10.

Monday: Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low zero. High 9.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Low minus 1. High 10.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 2. High 10.

My guess is that with the rain and warmer evening temperatures that the ice on Dragon Lake will not be long for this world.

Keep an eye on our webcam to see the ice disapear from your favourite fishing spot. Who knows, maybe you'll even see a trout jump in the next few weeks!

Never a Good Thing

2010-03-18T18:00:00.004-07:00

So, I've been thinking...

I would like an aviary for our little bird. I do not like birds and find them particularly scary out in the open. (This is due in a large part to watching Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 movie, 'The Birds' and then being attacked by an army of crows).

Although I do not like birds, I ended up with one from my children. And, scary as they can be out in the open, it is even more sad to see them in a cage. He has a very large cage as it is, but I think he might need to have an outdoor aviary built for him so he can be in it on summer days. He should also have a few friends that aren't plastic.

So, unfortunately for Keith, my $10 bird is going to turn into about $200 in materials, hours of his time (What? You didn't think I could build it, did you?), and almost every ounce of patience he has left.

I shall add it to the rather lengthy list of projects that I've thought of this winter. -R

Not as Smart as I Think I Am

2010-03-15T16:12:00.003-07:00

Alright, as much as this pains me to admit... there is something that I don't know. Normally if there is something I don't know, I like to say it is because I don't want to know - if that makes any sense. I have been told this is a little bit of an annoying trait to have, but it also comes in handy as I will usually search and search until I find the answer myself.

Yesterday and today I have successfully fried my eyes as well as my brain with countless hours in front of the computer monitor. Result? Frustration - level 100, answers - 0.

What could I be searching for you ask? I am trying very unsuccessfully to do what bloggers all around the world have no problem with. Enabling comments.

I have gone to settings and then to the comments tab. I have checked all the appropriate boxes, and still...no comments. I would say, 'Please leave me a comment if you know what I'm doing wrong,' but I think we all know the futility in that! Maybe it's due to the fact that I've changed my background from my original template, but so far my sentiment for the day is, EEEEEYOG!

March... In like a ?

2010-03-13T19:48:00.005-08:00

We have all heard the March saying of, 'In like a lion, out like a lamb' and vice versa. This year has me stumped. Did it come in like a lion or a lamb?

We had a few beautiful days, no doubt about it, and the snow is almost melted, but the cold winter wind and freezing nightly temperatures are letting us know that winter is not quite finished with us yet. Is it just wishful thinking that has me questioning the 'In like a lamb' scenario?

For one, we did not have the crazy amount of snow that we had last year, and secondly we have had a lot of wind lately. Wind gets rid of snow quickly, right? Maybe it's just a combination of these two things, and not the balmy temperatures we had for a few weeks that made everyone think of spring.

I am craving the flowers and sunshine that herald the arrival of spring and am ready for Old Man Winter to disappear. Unfortunately, I also have a teensy amount of a realist hiding deep inside me somewhere. This is after all the Cariboo, and am anticipating the very ugly 'out like a lion'. If it's spring I'm after, I may have to move to find it. For anyone who might be looking for me in the next few weeks, you can find me at my new residence: the blue tent at the end of aisle 3, Greenhouse number 4, Richbar Nursery.

Camping Food

2009-12-23T17:17:00.002-08:00

With all the luxuries that the R.V.'s of today offer, we sometimes forget about great classic camping food. Who wants hot dogs every night when you have a full kitchen and running water? I'll tell you who. I do! Not just any hot dog though. I want a European Weiner with grated cheese, hot banana peppers, pickles and chips. Yes...chips. And while I'm on the subject of chips, you can't forget a good old chip sandwich.

I can remember my first chip sandwich as if it was yesterday. I was camping with a friends family at Fish Lake outside of Quesnel. We were in the camper making our lunch unsupervised, so it didn't take long for us to add our own little twist!

It was a weekend of many firsts, including catching and cleaning my own fish. No one told me about the 'you clean what you catch' rule until after I had brought in my haul!

As I look out my window, I can see the sun setting over a frozen lake, but that doesn't mean that I can't have a little taste of summer! I think that tonight I will introduce my own children to the chip sandwich. Throw in a side of watermelon, a cold beverage and I can almost feel the sun! -R

Today on the lake....

2009-11-23T16:55:00.009-08:00

Today was another beautiful fall day on Dragon Lake. It's starting to ice up and all the wildlife is taking sanctuary in the open water in the bay.

Here are a few of the things we saw on our walk.

And here is the coolest sight of all...

2010...

2009-10-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

We have many different projects in mind to keep our lives interesting, but would like to hear other peoples opinions as well before we finalize.

What do you think would make a good addition to the park? What areas need to be improved upon and what would help make your stay more enjoyable?

Large or small, we want to hear it all! i.e. new picnic tables, improved community fire pits, more trees, 50 amp. sites, electronic gate for additional security, small outdoor amphitheater..... Let's discuss!

Walter...

2009-09-14T15:56:00.003-07:00

Proof that Walter really does exist. He was caught and safely released back into the lake this May. Congratulations, Brian!

This one's for you Pete....

2009-09-13T20:57:00.002-07:00

About a week too late, but will try to keep up with our water temperature posts.

Today the lake was 62 degrees.

Sun was shining, fish were jumping and everyone was smiling! Perfect day out on the lake.

Deadline fast approaching!

2009-08-31T15:15:00.004-07:00

For anyone who doesn't yet have their Pleasure Craft Operator (or equivalent) Card yet, September 15th is the deadline. If you still need to get it, you can take your test online at http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/

"All boat operators in Canada must have the Card or they risk expensive fines.* There is no minimum age to get certified and no age exemption. The length of the boat does not matter, nor does the size of the engine. The Card is good-for-life and is recognized across Canada and the US." - boaterexam.com

That kind of a week...

2009-08-29T19:32:00.007-07:00

We are at the end of a week that is both happy and sad. The day that we have been dreading has arrived. C. has just completed her last day of work before heading back to school. Although we are sad for us, we are happy for her.

Although we are saying goodbye for the season to a very valued employee, we get the pleasure of welcoming and working with the newest addition to 'Team Dragon'. C. has been busy training her for the past few days, and we know that all the returning fall fisherman will join us in making her feel welcome at the Roost!

Lookin' Out My Backdoor...

2009-08-22T10:11:00.004-07:00

We may not have a flying spoon or a giant doing cartwheels, but I still think that what we have is pretty great.

Tracking the Deals in August

2009-08-05T10:48:00.010-07:00

The hit reality show, "Mantracker," recently filmed two episodes in the Quesnel area. This has surprisingly created some team spirit throughout Quesnel. First of all, K. auditioned for the show...along with 300 other people. Unfortunatley, he didn't receive a call back. How entertaining would it be to watch him though! They're crazy.

I will admit that even I was a little excited, and took my sort of nieces to the BBQ yesterday to meet him. He was very nice.

As a result of his visit, several businesses had "Mantracker" summer sales, and painted their windows to say, "Track the Deals." How does this relate to Robert's Roost? Well, since I was able to convince Robin & Keith to join Facebook, we might as well go all out with the bandwagons, and have our own "Track the Deals Promotion!"

For the month of August, book any of our Trailers for 4 nights, and get the 5th night free! Just mention that you saw it on the internet.

Find some photos of Trailer 2, and Trailer 1 (the mobile trailer with hedges) below. All of the trailers are located on the lake.

-CM

Better things to do...

2009-08-01T09:54:00.008-07:00

As much as I'm enjoying the heat right now, I can't help but lament about our poor garden. The grass is a sickly shade of yellowish brown and the flowers have seen better days. With all the dry weather and the lower water level of the lake, we can't justify keeping the irrigation going every night. As embarrassing as the brown lawn is, it would be even more embarrassing to have a nice, well-watered green lawn. Especially on the scale that we have.

Every time I start to feel a little bit down about the state of the grounds, I have a guest come into the office to tell me how great it is here. This has made me realize that as beautiful as the grounds are, it is hard to top mother nature. Sunsets on the lake, fish jumping and the reflection of the moon playing on the water are all pretty hard to beat. Throw in the antics of the baby ducklings and you have entertainment and relaxation for the whole family.

And remember, summer's short so try to spend as much time enjoying our beautiful lakes as possible. We are lucky enough to live in a province known for it's breathtaking scenery. Instead of turning on your TV when you get home from work tonight, get in your vehicle and go explore your own backyard. There's a reason why we call our home 'Beautiful BC'. (Thank you CM for the great pictures!) - R

Like a bandaid...

2009-07-20T21:42:00.002-07:00

That is my theory for anything that I think might be painful. Just do it quickly and it'll only hurt for a moment. We have finally broken down and joined the face.book community. CM was great (as always) and set us all up. Not too sure what we're doing yet, so things might be a bit off for a bit until we get it all figured out. See you on Face.book! - R

Summer's Pride

2009-07-16T10:04:00.004-07:00

I get that happy feeling inside when I see people on vacation here. You can see the joy plastered on every child's face as soon as they step into the office. After being trapped indoors for months, now is the time to break free, bask in the warm sunshine, eat ice cream, & play in the water. It is a time to relax, read a book, or go fishing. There's no ignoring summertime! It is a wonderful season. So enjoy it now! Have fun! And live life to the fullest!

-CM.

WHAT have we been doing??

2009-06-16T19:16:00.002-07:00

Yes, I know.... I did it again. The last update I did was on the first of June!

Since then we have had a heat wave broken only in the last few days with thundershowers at night, we have planted a few trees in the back field to add a little privacy as well as shade, Keith and a friend have re-vamped the washroom in Rental trailer #3 (now instead of an unserviceable, mini, shower on your knees, brush your teeth while on the john kind of bathroom, we have a full-sized half bath)and, last but not least, Keith is on his way down south in a few days to pick up the fifth member of our family and do a little RVing of his own with the kids and his dad. It won't be all fun and games though as the only way you are allowed to leave here in the summer is if it's for business.

We are starting to book up fast for summer, so if you are looking to stay with us in the next few months, don't forget to visit our website (link to the side) and make an online reservation request. - R.

I Saw it on the Internet!

2009-06-01T17:59:00.004-07:00

Limited time offer!

Book two or more nights from Monday to Thursday, during the month of June, and receive 10% off your stay. When making your reservation, let us know that you 'saw it on the internet!'to receive your discount. Does not count toward previously made bookings. Weekends excluded.

Feather, Fur, & Fin (Minus the Fur...)

2009-05-26T11:15:00.008-07:00

K. asked me to do an update on the Blog. However, nothing exciting has really happened today, other than the weather's famous Cariboo mood swings. Therefore, I will give the highlights from the past week: fishing conditions, and bird sightings.

Fishing season is finally upon us, much to the joy of visiting campers who have been anxiously waiting for the past month. The fish are feeding on micro leeches, some shrimp patterns, and much to my dismay, chironomid flies (also known as blood worms, midges, or gnats). See the things I am learning?? For someone who doesn't fly fish I think I am doing okay!

On another note, there was a little bird that came for a visit this year, which was a wonderful surprise. R. found it in her bird book, and it is called the 'Western Tanager.' They spent last week right outside the window, circling above the water. I also saw them along the Riverwalk downtown. I told them that they could come back next year, but I don't think they understood me. There are actually several birds in the area right now. The other day I went kayaking and saw a few different types of black birds, some beautiful ducks, and of course, the tanager. In and around the campsite there are also robins, chickadees, sandpipers, geese, and even crows!

Signing off,
C.

It's ON!

2009-05-25T19:52:00.001-07:00

It's not too hard to figure out when the fishing has turned on. Every second fisherman was in the office today wanting to extend their stay. No one wants to leave once the fishing gets hot! That and our wonderful smiles. I think that's really why everyone wants to stay longer. Oh, they SAY it's the fishing, but I know better!

In Your Teeth, In Your Hair, They are... Everywhere!

2009-05-19T19:08:00.002-07:00

MAJOR hatch. Today was a fisherman's dream (minus the snow)!

The New Dock is In!

2009-05-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

May Update

2009-05-13T18:18:00.003-07:00

So much to do so little time. Today we did some maintenance on the playground equipment and opened up more washrooms in time for May long weekend.

Tomorrow the new dock should be in the water and the fire pit areas all cleaned up and ready to go. We're trying to make the pits more accessible to everyone. Will post some pictures of the dock going in tomorrow. It'll be beautiful!

As you can see from my twitter update on the sidebar, there was a hatch today. It's like walking through a cloud at times! -R

Lake update

2009-05-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

Hi guys,

Have had quite a few of the Dragon Lake Regulars show up in the last few days.

The water level is still quite high so we have been unable to get the guest dock into the water. Everyone has been pulling up onto the shore for now and people who need to dock have been using our rental one.

Turnover is also underway and the water is looking a little murky. Hopefully it's over soon.

Fixer upper

2009-04-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

Keith and his helpers / foremen (Sadie and Cleo) got into the water today and joined our two 'rental docks' together to make one large one. It looks much better and improves our view out the kitchen window greatly.

Sadie is very happy because her race strip is now twice as long. Now she can really launch herself off the end of the dock! She keeps asking us very nicely to go for a swim with her, but I think it might be a little too cold for me still. -R

Arrived today

2009-04-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

The first of the fishermen have arrived today! as you may have noticed from our lake cam on our website homepage, the wind came up yesterday and started to blow the ice off a little bit. The wind was blowing in the right direction and piled it up on our opposite shore. Let's hope the trend keeps up! A few more days like this and we'll be able to put the new dock in. -R

Ice Update

2009-04-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken around the public boat launch on the other side of the lake.

We saw a few brave souls out fishing from a canoe today as they were able to carry it down the bank. We wouldn't recommend anything else as the wind could come up and ice you in, leaving you with no way to get your boat out!

Our launch is still pretty iced in, but hopefully we'll be able to get the dock into the water soon! - R

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Earth Day, H. and I donned our rubber boots and went to clean up around the lake. If you can't read her hat it says, 'Team Dragon' and was a lovely gift from our friends in the States. Thanks guys! -R

Lake, April 22

2009-04-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

These pictures might give people a better idea of what the lake's doing. The first few pictures are of the north end of the lake just starting to open up.

This picture is around the boat launch.

I think I saw....

2009-04-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

As Keith and I were wandering around the property surveying the rapidly rising lake water, we were enjoying the variety of ducks that are taking advantage of the newly open water surrounding us.

I am fairly new to the bird watching business, so I am not entirely certain I saw what I saw, and I am also sure that I've never seen one before now. Confused? Me too. After looking in my bird book, I think it was this:

The Cinnamon Teal. He is, 'a small, dark chestnut duck with large chalky blue patch on forewing...' Which I saw as he was flying away. Apparently my excitement was not very quiet. I most likely won't be asked to join any birdwatching clubs anytime soon.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what else it may have been with this colouring, please let me know as he seems like he may be a tiny bit north of where he normally goes. -R

Had enough yet?

2009-04-18T11:55:00.001-07:00

That's right.... In case you just can't get enough of our witty repartee, you can now follow us on twitter as well! Maybe we'll take on Ashton K. next year. I find it amazing that he was able to beat CNN in the race to get a million followers. So far we're at 0. I guess we have a ways to go. I'll blame it on Keith. -R

One of THOSE People

2009-04-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Wow, February 2. Really? Sorry to everyone I've been boring to tears with my blog updates. I hate logging onto people's blogs that I like to read and seeing no current posts. I guess I can't be too irritated after looking at my own dated entry. Well, spring is here and now there's interesting things happening. Who wants to see snow anyway?

Here is a quick recap of what you've missed in the last few months....

Keith learned how to tie a fly, the new dock is built and ready to put in the water, the re-roofing project for Trailer 1 is half complete (short-shipped on our roofing order), some new windows a door and fridge are going in next week as well. We took delivery of our new Breyers Ice Cream Freezer as we have made the switch from hard ice cream to ice cream bars (anyone want to buy a large ice cream freezer?).

The new freezer gives us WAY more office space and we were able to fit in an internet kiosk. The only downside to this is that my grandpa may not ever visit me again. He loves his Maple Walnut ice cream!

We were finally able to open sites 1-13 yesterday. It's still too wet to open up the other sites. Hopefully by next week everything will be up and running.

We still have about 22" of ice on the lake. You can check out the ice by going to our website and viewing our lake cam.

It's supposed to be nice and warm today, so I plan on working out in the yard all afternoon. - R.

Ice Fishing

2009-02-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

Keith took the boys out ice fishing yesterday. As you can see by the pictures, we had one heck of a snowfall with about a foot of snow falling from yesterday to this morning. We've been doing a lot of cross country skiing and snowshoeing as well this winter. We've given up on the skating as it is getting to be too much to clear the rink off every time. There is also a little bit of ice shifting going on in the bay here which leads to cracks and heavy slushy snow which is not very easy to shovel! - R

Message from H

2008-12-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

Last week,me and my dad made houses for the animals. In the burrows that we made out of a Spruce tree, that was 76 years old. We didn't want to but we had to because it was coming down from the big storm we had. In these burrows there may be weasels, bobcats and maybe lynx.

November Storm

2008-11-22T23:18:00.000-08:00

Last night we had 90 km/h winds, actually, they were here throughout most of the day. I came home in the afternoon to find what would be two truckloads of branches from the Lombardies strewn across the road up front. The neighbors must have been thrilled. Hannah and I cleaned them up, then tended to the other things that had fallen victim to the wind. Both of the Christmas trees we put up outside had blown over, and we even had a stray peddle boat from across the lake blow up on our shore. Perhaps if I had left the old dock in a bit longer, it would have also been destroyed. Strange weather this year. November 22, and the lake is wide open, and I worked outside today in a t-shirt. -K

Fall Getaway

2008-11-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

The campsite is empty and the boat is in winter storage. It is officially time to 'get out of dodge'.

We pulled the kids out of school for a week and headed east to Alberta to watch an evening of the 'Canadian Rodeo Finals' in Edmonton. After a couple of nights there we jumped in the car again and headed down to Drumheller where we saw lots of cool scenery, dinosaur bones at 'The Royal Tyrell Museum' and very large snakes at 'Reptile World' (well, Keith and the kids saw them.... I saw the tops of my shoes)

After a few nights in Drumheller we jumped in the car again and drove to Salmon Arm to visit family. Even though it was a quick trip, we made the time to head down to one of our favourite spots in town and go for a walk along the quay. Check out the beautiful view.

It was a quick trip as the kids couldn't miss too much school, but we're all very happy to be back at 'The Roost' with the cat and the dogs!

Out With The Old... In With the ?

2008-10-26T23:55:00.000-07:00

If anyone reading this has ever docked their boat to the old dock, they will appreciate this set of pictures. - R

Iris' anyone?

2008-10-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

I have a feeling this post will annoy a lot of Iris lovers out there, but I had to do it. Today I ripped our every single rhizome from the front of the house and I feel so much better! I don't dislike all Iris, just German Iris. They look too stiff. Check out the wheelbarrow full! There's more on the ground in the background as well. - R

Projects

2008-10-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

The grand master plan started off with our Inukshuk planting bed in August. The new arbor that presently looks like it's floating in the middle of nowhere does in fact have a purpose. Really it does. I know, it took me a while to convince Keith of this, but he has since seen reason and is officially on board with the plan...which is good... because I really don't think I could have built it myself!

This will eventually blend in with the 'new' planting bed and pond in spring '09 which will replicate this one that we installed at our old house (shown below). The plan is for a path leading from the arbor with the creek on the right hand side. It will end at the bottom of the hill with a new seating area. Well, that's about it. Feel free to give us your two cents! - R

Swimming?

2008-10-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read that right. Swimming. No, not me... the dog. Even though the temperature reached 26 degrees C. today, it's not nearly warm enough to convince me to go in swimming. I already fell for that a few weeks ago when the kids convinced me to jump off the patio boat because, and I quote, "No, really mom. The water's warm!" By the time I swam to the ladder, I couldn't feel my toes.

Although it's October first, the temperature the last few days has been downright summery so Sadie decided it was the perfect day to spend in the water!

Although it's warm during the day, the temperature at night can get pretty chilly, so the kids have been kept busy keeping the fire pit stocked with wood. I was so impressed to see a willing volunteer for the job today that I had to take a picture. Everyone take a good look because it might be a LONG time before we see this sight again! - R

This week in pictures

2008-09-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

We found fall!

Accommodations Available

2008-09-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

Just to let everyone know, we have had a cancellation for a few of the accommodations. Trailer 2 is available from October 8-10 and Trailer 3 is available from October 3-10.
One of our regular visitors sent us a photo this morning of the view from Trailer 3 after a storm. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Thanks Jim!

Goodbye Campers... Hello Fall

2008-09-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

With the bullrushes turning yellow, and a colourful array of leaves now hovering over the lawn, I am beginning to realize that my first season at Robert's Roost is coming to a close. And what a wonderful six months it was. - C

Mushroom Adventures

2008-09-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Shhhh.. don't tell too many people our secret, but the Shaggy Manes are unearthing their magnificently white 'lawyer wigs' throughout our 30 acres. Someone was telling me a tale about a camper who was walking his dog in the field, and on his side was a bag full of Shaggys, and plastered on his face was a champignon smile. Book your reservation quickly if you want some, as they turn into their inedible 'inky' stage very quickly! - C