Rocky sagebrush dotted hills roll across the floor of the valley and up the flanks of the surrounding mountains.  Bright green irrigated hay fields are scattered about creating a ruggedly beautiful mosaic.  We are in central British Columbia.

A black bear is plopped in the middle of a ripe hayfield seemingly contemplating whether to keep eating or take a nap.  Mule deer have replaced caribou.

Oh, another black bear along the road.  This one intently preparing for winter never even looked up when we went by.

A stroll through the willow thickets reveals a muskrat, grebes, and a great blue heron (we haven’t seen those guys in months).   Without even glancing at a map one can tell we are moving south