I LOVE THIS AREA

   I did that TITLE IN CAPITALS because today was one of those days. I discovered Conrad Kains Cairn (say that 5 times after a few wobbly pops) in the small town of Wilmer. I then drove out a couple of miles Northerle of Wilmer for the 2 km walk down and back in an area called Richies Point, also known as Wilmer Bird Sanctuary. The views are stupendous. As if this wasn`t good enough for exercise, after lunch, I decided to walk to the top of Dutch Creek Hoodoos.wow wow wow. There were of course, 4 geocaches on top of those ridges and they certainly made the walk worth more. I would recommend this trail system to one and all if the terrain is not to much. As I was not needed by the Brigade today I had a chance to start sorting the 5 tons of gear I have spread all over the place in Fred and Joans condo. I think I should just give it up. I cannot believe I am actually going to have to leave stuff behind because I have no wheels while on this brigade.  Do you know how scary that is. ? I need at least 18 rechargable batteries and a Charging system.

 I have 2 cameras, 5 GPS units, (I will have to leave 3 of these behind, including the SPOT) I HAVE  TO HAVE a laptop, so I also need the chargers, mice , keyboards, and USB plugins etc. On top of that I will also need water bottles, clothes, a tent, sleeping bags, pillows,2-3 pairs of shoes, socks, wet gear, hot weather gear,etc etc etc....  Its just gotta be done. I am only allowed to bring it all in just 2 Hockey bags.Insane.!

Change of Topic
We had the first geocaching event in Fort Steele yesterday and it was a howling success.Over 40 people showed up and signed the official logbook.
 We sold 20 of the NALS geocoins that we had brought across the border and most of the Brigade coins. These are to help finance the brigade costs for the teams.On another note I am told that the brigade had 3 parties yesterday. Breakfast,lunch and a supper from the local communities, and then a final play was put on for the brigade at Fort Steele by the Fort performers about 6 PM. It was a play about/of David Thompson. I missed it because our old Slave Lake BM is now in Canmore. He ( Darrin Connatty ) showed up at about 6 PM and together we went to Cranbrook for one of the best meals I have had in a very long time. His schnitzels took up a platter and he couldn`t finish it all.I ate all my prime rib. Thanks Darrin.!
  Franks Steak and Schnitzel House should win awards. If you are ever in Cranbrook it is on the main drag just after you get in from Invermere or Fernie on the right hand side.

Tomorrow is June 7th. This is the big party at the border crossing. Somebody important and someone with a bunch of letters after their names are going to dedicate a plaque to David Thompson near the Koocanusa Lake on the 49th.This is beautiful country down here for sure.
    Local geocachers reported that the monuments on the Canada / USA Border are no longer at 49 degrees since we are all using WGS 84. I wonder if they will take that into account.? Has anyone thought about that?
   Which country`s soil will the plaque actually be placed on? This just  reminds me of that old childhood joke. If a plane crash landed on the Canada/USA border, where would you bury the survivors?
 I am sure that they will survey it in after the ceremony.Won`t they?
In regards to the ceremonies. I haven`t heard Rick Mercers name in months, so I guess he declined the offer for a boat ride at this event. Thats all folks.I should of been in bed hours ago.

 Here are some photos of the Brigade yesterday and the hoodoos today...man I love this area

Did I say that yet?

                                           The Geocachers Official Photo DTCB 2011 at Fort Steele