Thanks Paul C

 

Anarchist Mountain Firesmart Event

AMFD celebrated the 10th anniversary of being recognized as a  Firesmart Community. I had thought about going, but changed my mind with the snow this morning. They presented in the firehall in the rain. Ember the Firesmart fox was there, and I counted +/- 75 attendees in the group photo outside wearing rain jackets.

It's time to put on your summer tires - Kelowna News

It's time to put on your summer tires - Kelowna News: The sun is shining and summer is right around the corner, meaning it's time for drivers to swap off those winter tires.

But......

Four Hour Online Event

 https://firesmartcanada.ca/event/towards-a-shared-understanding-of-wildfire-risk-in-canada/?fbclid=IwAR2LY-PfFvVGJYf7ZDbLpFN0aFL7WfL55e9cH2yDSSfvuKmtdLNPGgGBxt4

I don't think I'll bother putting 4 hours in to this, but if you are interested in  "A Shared Understanding of Wildfire Risk in Canada, here is the link.

CBC Story - 68 Fires already

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/communities-urged-to-be-firesmart-1.6428445?fbclid=IwAR0SBzPDZwf9LNe27zqXBWZY7gpcK87SL1GW8PuZXbuue6pTYx4jQYV6tp0

Snowy Day for Asplundh

Asplundh is in the village today, taking down dead trees that could fall on power lines. They only take ones that could hit the main line on the street, not the wires to the house.

What they are doing looks good, and will save a few home owners a little money on their firesmart. They limb as they climb the tree, and they drop it in sections.

Enjoy today and tomorrow

 Forecast is for cooler and snow Tuesday.

They're Back

The Osoyoos Osprey Cam is up and running, and a pair of Osprey have returned to the nest. Assuming it is the same pair, they have had a rough time the last couple of mating seasons. The female came close to expiring herself as she desperately tried to save the chicks from the heat dome last summer. Link to the Osprey cam is on the sidebar.

 

Not this way...........

This photo is probably 20 years old. I hired a contractor from Penticton - 6 guys, didn't use their bucket truck, took down 40 pines in one day, bucked firewood and chipped debris for $3000. When the crew had left, and I was standing in the road with the contractor, a neighbour walked by and said - did you take down a tree today? There were so many trees in the shade of the pines that it was not obvious what work had been done that day. You can see from this photo how tall the trees were along the street on my property near the power line.

Ski industry veteran Herwig Demschar new GM at Vernon's SilverStar Mountain Resort - Vernon News

Ski industry veteran Herwig Demschar new GM at Vernon's SilverStar Mountain Resort - Vernon News: SilverStar Mountain Resort has a new general manager.

Wednesday

Those who hiked early yesterday had great turns, those who went later, not so much. thick crust.

BMR Newsletter

 Have you subscribed to the newsletter? New edition out today.

April 19th

 

April?

It has been snowing heavily all day - not sure what the amount will be snow on snow, didn't start sticking on my deck until late afternoon. 

Happy Easter

I was sad when the Fletchers sold across the street from me - I miss them. They did however sell to a great family. They have a house full tonight, and I was surprised by a special delivery hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Thank-you very much Khodarahmi family! 

Anonymous Commenter

I hear you, but I can not post your comment without a name, and verifiable ID. Your issues with ownership should be directed to them, not vented on this site.

Thursday

 

Alberta plates

I missed this post - Season Passes go on sale June 1st

 

Happy 92nd Birthday Jane Stelkia

If you happened to see a fence repair crew on the Stelkia property today - the person in dark blue, shorter stature, was OIB Elder Jane Stelkia. Repairing fences on her 92nd Birthday. I watched a video one of her daughters posted - skilled, efficient - no gloves. She is an amazing woman.

Are you checking the e-mails that come from the Strata Property Management Company? or have you registered your e-mail with them?

They are not all bills and minutes.

The Firesmart Committee has sent out two info packages already, and another is going out next week.

Rather than send you a mountain of info all at once, we are sending written material and slides over a period of time so you can digest it, and start planning what you will do to make your property more Firesmart.

On May 21st, there will be more info presented, advisors to talk to , and a walk about. The one video that made the most impression on me was the one that shows how aggressive the fire was when it jumped the last fireguard before it took a run for the back of the mountain. The fire raged as though there was no guard.

Snip from the video.

On Sunday May 22nd, after a day of work on our properties, there will be a barbeque and social time. This will be a good opportunity to get to know our new neighbours.

Hmm

 I guess my neighbours and I won't have to worry about our properties drying out too quickly this spring.

Neighbourhood Watch Alert

Unauthorized vehicle in a driveway in the village in the wee hours of this morning. Doors were checked and cabin OK .

*Update   That didn't take long - the truck was caught on a surveillance camera and fits the description of a known vehicle in the region.

West Boundary Connect - Kettle River Echo

When I first added the "West Boundary Connect" link to the sidebar, there wasn't much happening on that site. It is now an active, informative site for the Boundary including - Info from RDKB  Vicki Gee, jobs, farmers markets, controlled burns, and many more items of interest. The "Kettle River Echo" that used to be in print form at the Rock Creek Store, is now online and produced by the "Trails to the Boundary" society.

If you subscribe to West Boundary Connect, you'll get e-mail alerts when new important stuff is posted, including when new issues of the Kettle River Echo are available.

West Boundary Connect also has a Facebook page, but I find it easier to get to the area of interest on the website.

https://westboundaryconnect.com/

Not good numbers to start the spring with..............

 

Wildfire Hit on Wines

Castanet posting this morning about the smoke taint on local wines. Our friends, and Baldy Family at Blue Mountain have made the tough decision not to produce any wines from the 2021 crop. The Thomas Creek fire impacted their vineyards.

https://www.bluemountainwinery.com/blog/Winery-News---Blue-Mountain-Spring-Update

A new approach (AIM) to roadside mowing?

 

Baldy Mountain finished off their season with a bit of slushy fun - Penticton News

Baldy Mountain finished off their season with a bit of slushy fun - Penticton News: Baldy Mountain Resort celebrated the last day of the season on Sunday with the return of its traditional Slush Cup.

Yes it is some of my video, but I gave it to Brandan to use as he saw fit.

About our wooden decks............

One of my ongoing projects is researching products to make our decks more fire resistant. I will share my research when I have more info compiled. I don't want the expense of replacing my decking. I have found a product that works well on raw wood and penetrates the wood - finish can be applied after.

I received a response from the manufacturer this morning that it does work on some pressure treated woods. My hope would be to run my PT deck boards through a thickness planer, then apply the product.

He told me a way to scrape off some finish and test the PT to see if the product would work..........can't try that until it quits snowing and warms up!

RDKB Disposal

 https://rdkb.com/Utilities-Waste/Garbage-Compost-Recycle/Landfill#rock 

"Clean wood waste" is accepted at the Rock Creek Transfer Station and Greenwood Landfill. The "Burn Pile" is intended for forest fuels removed from one's property. 

Season End

Sometimes it happens on the last day, and this time the morning after. 10cms new.

 Good turnout for the slush cup yesterday.

Slush Cup 2022

I may not have caught all the contestants - I went back skiing when I saw some having their second run.

Want a few more runs.....deal at Big White

 

Hats off to the Baldy Team for a great last day.

There wasn't as much snow to work with this year to make the pond, and staffing has been an issue all season. We missed having an MC, but hey, they did an awesome job with limited staff. I have a fair bit of video - not sure if I'll have time to do the edit tonight.

Day 58 for me, and I had some nice runs with family on the Eagle. I'm ready to switch seasons. Check back for the video, firesmart and snow melt updates.

Slush 1:00pm

 

Well dressed..........

She will never know that these fancy dresses she wore would end up in the costume collection.

Heli Rumours

A chopper landing always starts rumours around here. The truth is -  the flight was a Birthday gift to Hilary - part of her birthday week celebrations.

One of Hilary's photos of the burn area on the back side.

Prescribed Fire

 

Hey Golfers and Gardeners

You missed some good skiing today -  a little on the firm side to start, then nice groomers on the Eagle. Two more days left.

My last run was near Chix Dig It -  nice.

Happy Birthday Brandan.

Chimney Cleaning 2022

It was a little bit of a scramble last year when the chimney cleaning dates were cancelled due to fire. There are other cleaners, but Top Hat is the one who keeps in touch.

Right now, July 13 &  14 are set aside to clean Baldy chimneys. If those days fill, another may be added. My neighbours who need me to open their cabins, please let me know, and tell Al so you can be booked on the 13th and I don't have to hang around for 2 days.

Retro '70's and '90's

My 1987 Interski Jacket has a 1992 Red Mtn. Lift ticket on it, but not a hope of fitting in to it.

Fitness Plan