Bus was up a couple of times in the night so I didn’t get a lot of sleep. I’m not sure what he has gotten into but he has some digestive type infection. I remembered that the vet had given me some antibiotics so in the morning I crushed up an antibiotic tablet, mixed in a piece of crushed up Pepto Bismal tablet, some cooked rice, a few pieces of kibble and some warm water. He ate it all up. I think he was hungry.
Before heading out we did a short walk down to the creek that runs behind the houses across the road. It was a lovely spot and the creek was really fast flowing with that lovely sound that fast-flowing creeks make. Bus seems to be on the mend – fingers crossed – he had no more anxious circling moments.
On the road again, heading south on Highway 5A for Clearwater. About a half an hour into the trip I spied a black bear lying in a grassy spot by the road. I squealed to a stop about 50 metres or so past him and grabbed my camera. Somehow I clambered into the backseat, opened the back window and hung out to see if I could catch a shot or two. Meanwhile a few other cars pulled over. The bear was totally oblivious to the hordes of mosquitoes and the gawking humans as he worked at something trapped between his paws. It took me forever to bend my legs and back enough to crawl back into the driver’s seat.
A bit further down the road was a white-tailed deer strolling along the hillside by the highway. He didn’t hang around long enough for me to get a shot.
I was pretty tired by the time I got to Clearwater. There was a busy Tourist Information booth for the Wells Gray Park that extends north of the town. The staff found me a lovely little hotel (it is still raining and I still don’t want to put my tent up in the rain) called the Watauga Village Cabins that is also pet friendly. So Bus and I headed straight there and got settled. I fed him much the same meal as his breakfast (minus the Pepto Bismal) but broke up some of his favourite treats in it. He snarfed that up. I think we may be on the mend.
After I had a wee nap we bundled up in our hiking gear and headed off to explore a few of the falls this area is famous for. We travelled about 35 km into the park checking out three of the falls that were easiest to hike to – Spahats, Dawson and Helmcken. All three were impressive but I’m sure they would have been even prettier if the sun had been shining. The rain didn’t start to really pour until we were leaving the last one – Helmcken – which is much higher than Niagara Falls. The power of all that water is amazing. The area is gorgeous and I would highly recommend any hiker to come spend some time here. There are so many hiking trails and if what we saw is any indication you will be blown away. We even glimpsed another bear ahead of us crossing the road as we drove up to hike into the Dawson Falls. Bus isn’t much of a hiker these days but he has learned to adapt to the front carrier I brought.
At one point along the road into the last falls we checked out we had to drive across a wooden bridge suspended over a raging river. It gave me the willies crossing that bridge!
I was starved when we got back and headed for the Hops N Hog Restaurant. It is a BBQ joint and do they know how to do it! They also do flights of the local beers. I had pulled pork to die for. The place was hopping so I know I wasn’t the only happy customer.
It is only a bit past 7 pm but I think this will be an early night.