Cree 2002

Cree 2002 was our longest stay ever on the lake and this year's victims were friends Rollie King and Tom Flicek, who joined Dave, Kevin and Tom. We began our trip late afternoon on July 1, spent the night of July 2 at Darsana Lodge where the asphalt ends and the gravel begins. We flew into Cree on 3 float plane trips at noon on July 3 and spent 8 nights on the lake. Trip highlights include explorations to the old Hudson Bay Outpost, the Karras River and the trapping cabin of Art Karras, and the old Weather Station which is now a fly-in fishing resort.

We had visitors - the cinammon bear pictured here as well as a black bear that ran away when we pulled up to the cabin one day to find. Upon landing, we found the bear had gorged itself on the following when it broke into the gazebo and boat house: Powdered Tang and Gatorade, Pop, Individually wrapped granola bars, Chex mix and Dave's Metamucil. I can just imagine that bear laying on its back with its paws on its belly wondering what the heck happened!! Neither of these bears should be confused with the white bears that are at the bottom of this page.

Rollie also spotted a lynx, but we did not have time to get a picture. We also caught a fish or two along the way.

One day we returned to find a note saying that the float plane was out of commission, so we had to boat ourselves across the lake to the resort in order to fly out on the twin engine plane with wheels. Dreading another Boat Trip from Hell (see Cree 2001 or call Dave Simons), we elected to leave for the resort late the last night when conditions were decent, rather than risk a gale in the morning.

We arrived back in Sioux Falls on July 11 and after several days have recovered. We are looking forward to another trip next year...anyone interested???