September 2010 and Yoho's passing

Above: Cow Camp in Little Paradise.  Below: Summiting a peak above Munson Pass

 Overlooking Upper Tyax Creek Valley

 Below: Cinnabar Basin

 Lizard Peak

 Lorna Lake

 Permanent Snow Patch (mini glacier) on Lizard Peak.  Below: Looking South from Lizard Peak

 Above: Wolverine Tracks.  Below: Fish Lake

 Shadows on the shoulder of Lizard Peak

SCREE!!!

Spetember brought mixed emotions for us.  On the bright side of things I guided several amazing hiking trips through the South Chilcotins.  I also had a couple of good horse packing trips with Jaimie as well.  I developed a passion for Salmon fishing and was able to catch 22 sockeye with the season was on.  I was also lucky to have a good friend of mine, Ryan Titchener, come from Jasper and assist me with a trip I was guiding out of Eldorado Cabin. 

Tracey, on the other hand, was left to deal with Yoho, who was deteriorating at an alarming rate.  It finally reached a point where he was experiencing many more bad days than good ones.  When it got to the point that he lost control of his bowels, which had to be an awful thing for him to have happen (he was such a composed dog when healthy), we decided that it would be more merciful for us to let him go.  September 29, 2011 at 4 pm: we had Yoho euthanized in our arms.  We knew exactly when he passed, the light in his eyes faded out like a candle being extinguished.  Our boy was gone.  It was a painful drive back knowing that he was in our trunk with a plastic bag wrapped around his remains.  We brought him to a favourite spot and placed his remains where he loved it most (while living here in Lillooet).  I felt his ears one last time and let him go.  We are able to look over where we placed him on a daily basis and know that his spirit and the lessons he taught us live on.  It is a little unfair for Pinto, we are expecting him to live up to Yoho's legacy, to be even half the dog that Yoho was will be good enough.  Perhaps it would be best if he didn't as then maybe when he too passes on, it may not hurt quite as much.

Eldorado Chili

I've had a lot of success with this recipe.  It is a hearty meal that satisfies the hunger brought on after a long day on the trail.  This is a vegetarian recipe that even staunch meat eaters will enjoy.

Serves 3 people

Eldorado Chili
1 cup split red lentils
8 sun-dried tomato*
1 Tbsp beef bouillon (vegetable based for vegetarians)
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp dried onion*
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder*
3 cups water
*Substitute 6 roma tomatoes (wrap in news paper and pack in your cook pot), 1 medium onion and 2 cloves of garlic.

Options:  Add a bell pepper, jalapeno or cheddar cheese to round off the meal.

At home:  Combine all dry ingredients in a sealed plastic bag.  Carry fresh ingredients (incl. cheese) separately.

At Camp:  Mince garlic and chop vegetables (if applicable).  Combine vegetables and dry ingredients in a pot.  Slowly add water and stir well.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 15 to 20 mins.  Add additional water if looking dry.  Add cheese to each serving.  Serve with: pita, bread, or instant rice.