From a talk to someone on the beach we got some information about Buttle lake. I had never heard of the place but he said it had thermal wind. It is on the way to Gold River from Campbell River. So we went to check it out. Now it is mid August and camping is busy!!! We were told to go to Ralph River campground. So we did, and entered the campground to a sign that said FULL. We talked to a very nice guy at the Reservation board on how it all worked. He seemed to think there were spots and we should take one and wait for the staff to show up. So we did, it was hot in the shade 33C. When the staff showed up they said it was full and that all the other campground on the way in were full as well. There might be something 30 min away maybe! Then as we were getting our things to leave she waved us over and said. If there was no one in site 76 it was ours as it was the only one you can't reserve. All other site were reservation only. It was open, we paid $20 for a night and put up our tent. Had a short nap and I noticed the wind in the trees were getting stronger. We had checked out the lake before putting up the tent and there was some wind but the access from the campgrounds isn't great and a short walk. We had been told about a boat launch just north about 5 min drive. I had to check it out. Sure enough it was good access to the water and Windy!!! I went out on my 5.0 and 580 foil. I was super over powered and could have been on the 4.0. No big deal I sail overpowered a lot so I am used to it. The beautiful thing about this lake as well as the view is the really warm water. I went out in shorts and a 1.5mm long sleeved top. I could have gone out in just shorts. It was just before 5pm when I hit the water and I have a great 1 hour session. The small foil is so fast and fun to do speed runs up and down wind as well as snappy small turns on the chop. Such an enjoyable day on the water. It was still windy when I came in though the lulls were starting to show up. By 6:30pm the wind had backed off a lot though it still would have been foilable with big gear. What a sweet spot!! Hot wind, warm water, and no one else on the lake. We are here for 2 nights so see what tomorrow brings.
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