A few weeks back, we arranged to have another gourmet cookout with Wayne from Tofino Photography. Our destination was Second Bridge, and if you need to find it, go down that logging road after the junction, bounce and jolt up past First Bridge, and then…
…well, if I told you where precisely, then it might get crowded in the future. But rest assured it’s out there, and you’ll know you’re close when the road comes to an end because the bridge is out.
Look out, look out!A quiet spot – we were told it can get busy, and certainly used to be a touch rowdy with party people on long weekends before the road was closed – it made a good place to have a fire and roast some hot dogs. The weekend had been warm and sunny the day before we went, but a change came, with grey skies, lower temperatures, and even a hint of rain. This seemed to have kept people away, and we only encountered a handful of visitors.
One couple had been camping overnight just down the beach. They chatted a bit, and Wayne shared a few stories, and some tips in the event of a cougar encounter (there had been some sightings elsewhere along the lake) and mere minutes after that, the young couple had packed up and disappeared. I don’t think it was the cougar info…
It left an empty beach for us to enjoy, and we had a fine time cooking and eating. Wayne brought high end hot dogs and slices of key lime pie from SoBo. Excellent choice, and we had to be quick about it, because Scout sure seemed to take to the pie.
“Pie?!”We didn’t see a cougar, or a bear, and thankfully the black flies didn’t follow us down to the beach. They were lurking when we parked up, but there was enough breeze to keep bugs at bay.
A wildlife feature for the afternoon? The hundreds and hundreds of geese passing over in long skeins high above us. We honestly could not count them, but what a sight to see – and hear! Wave after wave after wave.
Wayne knows the area pretty well, and he told us about the great camping spots to be discovered along the shore, and how they can only be approached from the water. They sound rather wonderful, and a compelling reason to return, drop a canoe with camping gear into the water, and spend a little more time out by the bridge and beyond.
Further exploration required…I don’t know when our next cookout adventure will be or where, but it’s something to look forward to, likely after the summer visitors have headed home and it’s a bit quieter. I do know Wayne has set the gourmet bar pretty high with that key lime pie!
Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Sounds like a great day, I agree it would be a good place to go after the crowds dissipate. Key lime pie? Yum! Scout is showing her anticipation.
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Yes, when it comes to eating, Scout is always anticipating there will be something for her!
I hope your week is going well!
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A wonderful day of nature and friends, sans Cougars. 😉
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Definitely a good day! I’ve only ever seen one cougar, and I was very happy to be in the Jeep. It was crouching on a bridge parapet as I drove over, and my brain was going “hmm, cat, cat, cat, whoa, that’s a very big cat!” I swerved as I came off the (single lane) bridge, heart racing, I honestly wasn’t sure if I had really seen a cougar until, the next day, a student told me, unprompted, that his mum had seen a cougar the day before on the bridge. It’s unlikely I’ll ever see one again – and I don’t really want an on foot big cat encounter – but I drive over that bridge at least four times a week, and I’m always hopeful…
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Ah, the possibilities presented by that dead-stop wooden bridge… cook-outs, Scout watch, key lime pie… and especially by what’s beyond. A great spot for exploration, Adam, and your words and photos make it tempting. Would love to see my first cougar in such a place!
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Walt, I hope you see a cougar on your river top rambles, and I truly hope it is from a reasonable distance!
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Beautiful place to enjoy fine dining, good company and beaches without crowds, bears and cougars! Scout looks very serious in that photo and was possibly thinking you’re not sharing enough of the pie. Sounds like a wonderful day and another great place to explore! Wonderful photos and I already miss my weekend football matches!!
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Scout is always thinking she’s not getting enough of whatever we’re eating!
Yes, no more weekly football for a few weeks. At least Everton signed off by not losing…
Thanks, and I hope you’re having a good week!
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What a great cookout adventure. Sounds fabulous and bonus, no cougar in sight! That flock of geese sounded pretty impressive though. Always love reading your adventures.
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Thanks, Miriam! The other day a friend told me he’d been out to second bridge paddling with his family the weekend before, and it was still quiet out there. I think we’ll be heading back soon, this time on the water. Hopefully, without any cougar sightings…
Enjoy your week!
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it was a great time had by all including the four footed vacuum. Looking forward to our next one Adam!
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Yes it was! The vacuum says hi, and we’ll do it again.
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Sounds delightfully perfect in every way, pc. Had to chuckle that the camping couple decided to head out after hearing about the cougar. I love love love these kinds of outings, completely in nature, gathering together with friends, awed by the geese overhead, serene, nothing fancy except maybe for the key lime pie. Well written too. Thanks for taking us to the road with the washed out bridge, my friend, I really enjoyed this.
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Thanks, Jet! We’ll go great distances and suffer the occasional bug bite if there’s key lime pie.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one – we certainly enjoyed our trip out there.
I hope you’re having a wonderful week!
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