The campers protesting the highway realignment in the Bonshaw area are settling in for the winter.
There is a trailer, several tents and a larger tent that has a wood stove that keeps the inside remarkably warm. The stove is surrounded by stones that are heated by the stove and the radiant warmth does wonders on a cold fall day. They also have a small generator.
Cindy Richards, one of the campers, said Tuesday there will be a minimum of two people on site at all times during the winter and when the snow finally comes they plan to open the private land to anyone who wants to cross country ski, hike, snowshoe or just come out and spend a winter's day around a fire.
Unfortunately they also have to guard against vandalism as they have been bothered by some people in a truck that came onto the property early one morning and an unwanted visit from some people on ATVs. The campers stress there has been no major problems, but they want a presence at the site over winter even though construction will not continue when the ground freezes. But they said it could start up again during a winter thaw and they want to be ready to monitor the construction if that happens.
The campers said people are still dropping by and offering support and friends are always welcome. After the heavy rain several days ago the Peters Road where the camp is located is a quagmire and until that firms up vehicle traffic may be hampered.
A new camper is a cat Richards rescued from an abusive home in Charlottetown earlier this fall. It has been named Miracle and has been busy keeping the mouse population down near the campsite. It also likes to share its trophies by sometimes bringing dead mice home to the tent.
You go and get them vigalante detective boy, the city needs you to do this.