New Years at the Hot Spring

The first morning of the year today and it was a beautiful one, but somewhat on the cool side.

We've had a stretch of cold weather like most of Canada, but despite the adversity so far I've managed to keep the power system up and running and the 'lodge cozy which is a big priority.

We've been snow free out here in the moutains until 4 days ago...

...then it began to look a little more like the end of December.

I've been growing some world-class icicles out on the shop roof.

Seeing there was sufficient snow I took a run down to the hot spring on the borrowed sled this morning to see what as going on this New Years day.

   I took down some cat-food to leave out for the mystery cat, which I set out there in a likely spot I hope he/she finds. My last post (2 months ago) I wrote about a new cat I acquired some people had found wandering near the hot spring campsite, and it turns out there was another, darker little cat that has been spotted hanging around campsites at night and getting spotted on occasion by the guys there at the office. It is three quarters wild and you can't get near it, poor thing. I don't need another one or anything, but I like to help out the little bugger is this harsh weather.

   There were 5 or 6 outfits camped-out and braving the minus 5 daytime temperatures and a few had left already by the time I arrived so it was a pretty good turn out for New Years Eve by the looks of things. They were all treated to a beautiful, bright full moon.

I think the majority of folks were packing-up when I pulled in and there wasn't anyone down at the tubs, so I got a chance to take some pictures. I usually don't take any if people are around.

I did bump into Kenny and Pia though, they read my site here and come out fairly regular for a week at a time.

"It's pretty comfortable in the camper-van." he told me,
"Other than our doors are froze shut."

I stopped in to see Ken at his campsite over in the corner, another Hotspringlodge reader, he and his crew of kids stomped a trail in the deep snow all the way down here the other day just to say hello.

   I could have dressed a little warmer so after a bit of visiting down there I heard a hot-chocolate calling my name and headed back home to stick close to the wood-stove.

Its been a pretty good start to the year, did some visiting, and nothing broke down.
I've got all the sh*t that broke down last year still, but nothings broken down yet this year.
I'm hoping my good luck continues.

Happy New Year all.