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Babine
Lake Resort, British Columbia, Canada August 16, 2001 If I don't go tomorrow, I'll never leave this place. It's been that incredible. Located at the edge of Babine Lake, the longest natural lake in British Columbia, it's known for lots of salmon as well as char and trout. But it's more than that. Carved out of the wilderness, there's no way to communicate with the outside world except by radio. No cell phones, pay phones, Internet access, nothing. A generator creates electricity. The rustic quality of the place does not suggest a resort in the traditional sense, but the feeling of being well taken care of, does. Truade (pronounced Trudy) is the resort owner. Originally from Germany, she and her husband, who works in Prince George, have run the place for many years. In the evenings when things start to calm down, Truade and I have managed to find a few minutes to enjoy a beer together. With a view out of the dining room window of the lake, it's incredibly peaceful. The other day she introduced me to Bill Graham who owns a boat and has taken me out onto the water for as long as 7 hours at a time to troll for fish. Unfortunately, the hot temperatures have forced the fish down to depths of up to 300 feet, while we're only able to troll at about 45 feet. But, he caught an arctic char and generously gave it to me. I gutted it and stored it in the campground's freezer to take with me when I leave. It's a beautiful fish, about two pounds, with dark speckles along its sides. I can't wait to taste it as I've never had char. When Truade heard I also wanted to try some moose meat on this trip, she prepared me a phenomenal moose steak for dinner tonight. She first marinated then fried it with sautéed onions and tomatoes. And oh was it tender. She's giving me some more moose meat to take with me so that I can make a stew. I'm heading out with moose meat and arctic char. Now all I need are a pair of buckskins and an old rifle! It's so beautiful and peaceful here. Along the edges of the lake are past and present trappers' cabins and hunting camps. The water is incredibly calm and the sun sets gently over the nearby mountain range. I'll be coming back to this place for sure. It's not only the surroundings, but the people who stay here, as well as Truade who make the place so welcoming. It's a bit out of the way, but that's one of its strengths, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants some comfort while being out in the bush. BACK...
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