 |
|
| July 15, 2008. Day 34 - Ft. Nelson -Muncho Lake |
|
|
|
|
| Mo & Carrie get up to the sound of the Super 8 preprogrammed wake up
call and stroll over to the car expectedly. No Marcello. We head to the
busy breakfast room of the Super 8 to grab some food and see if he is around
- no sign of him. We wait - the sun is powerful - we don't want to miss
out on the harnessing the rays so we set out to set it up on our own. All set up and angled - still no Marcelo and for some reason the cells are not collecting any energy. We knock on Marcelo's door - he answers groggily and with surprise - tries to explain how to turn the battery on but as it sounds like doing the wrong thing could cause damage, he asks us to wait for him to show up. 10 minutes later he does - sets it up. Spend the morning doing further laundry, sending out updates, resealing the visor which was leaking in the rain. Mo comes up with temporary solution to tires rubbing against vinyl - bungee cord stretched across. A sudden intense rainshower pour down and we grab a tarp to cover the solar car and wait it out. The tarp provided a great temporary shelter to make repairs. The storm passes as quickly as it came but before leaving the Super 8, Marcelo rolls in front of the entrance for photo shoot with manager Cathy Ellis and staff. As promised, breathtaking scenery and wildlife were waiting for us. Came across caribou, big horn sheep .. . one caribou jumped in front of the car but luckily Mo was ready with the brakes. Hilly terrain but strong sun. At one point, the road changes from smooth pavement to potholed gravel and the xof1 hits a snag - the wheel cover on the front left tire is gnarled up. Some comfort to notice the shrapnel from other larger vehicles at the same spot. We spend about an hour with repairs and lunch and take along a chevy hubcap as a souvenier. Stop in at Toad River for dinner and coffee. Beautiful spot right on the water, with an airstrip, incredible hat collection (over 7000 neatly attached to every available ceiling space) and two cool "put your face here" plywood scenes. After dinner the same debate arises: staying or going? Feeling caffeinated and wellfed, we make the decision to move on. The beauty of Muncho Lake makes our heart sing. We stop for a quick beer happy to celebrate how incredible the day was and set ourselves up in a idylllic provincial park campground on the lake after midnight. |
|
|
|
