Newell Lake, AB

Kinbrook Island Prov Pk
Site #97 - $18 (x2) p only

Another couple of nights of camping that went unrecorded. That's what happens when a camping season comes to an end. Home and ready for winter -- Ready or not!

Lethbridge, AB

Park Lake Provincial Park
Site #4 - Free, power off

This is a really nice little Park just NW of Lethbridge. We were very disappointed to find that the power had been shut off already. We didn't realize this until we went to pay. But good news . . . Camping was free! However, it was sprinkling when we arrived and the temp was only 12C, so a little on the cool side!

There is a small lake with beautiful day use areas and a really nice beach. We went for walks around the lake and around the park.

We ended up with neighbors beside us and it turned out it was an old Swift Current Central School mate of mine - Ralph Wilson. He and his wife were on their way home from visiting Swift Current relatives. His twin bro, Lloyd, lives in Nanaimo. Small world!

Milk River, AB

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Site #5 - $20 (x3) p only

The park was still in disarray from the Spring flooding that had taken place. There were lots of silt and branches laying around. We were not allowed to burn the branches which was strange and unfortunate! Also, the river was was not safe for swimming. It was very dusty from the disturbed silt, with traffic driving through.

We went for a walk along the river. Ron hiked some of the trails but the climbing was too hard on my knees. Bill and June Bertrand from Ron's ball team arrived on Monday with two other couples. We had a short visit with them. 

Really enjoyed our stay.  Awesome September weather! 

Nevis, AB

River Creek RV Park
Site #9 - $22 (x2) p/w/s

This is a decent site at the Content Bridge. However, if it was busy, the open sites would not be very private. There are also lots of rules, such as no chopping wood at your site.

The caretakers were retired acrobats who had been with the circus but now winter in Quebec and in Las Vegas. Interesting couple. We made a trip in to Stettler and on Wed. morning we put it on "Go Home".

Carolyn's 40th, Drayton Valley, AB

City Campground
Site #6 - $20 (x2) p/w/s

Jim and Jan met us at 5 pm and we went to a local hotel (Caesar's) for supper. Then it was off to the birthday celebrations.

There were about 30 to 35 people who came to the birthday party, including Larry and Phyllis, Shawn and Donna. The remaining people were friends and relatives of Carolyn. It was held at the Masonic Lodge. Fun time, lots of food and booze! We were home by midnight.



We blew another tire on our way to Drayton, so we stayed over until Monday to have a new tire installed. We also bought and delivered a massage gift certificate for Carolyn's birthday as the shop had been closed on Saturday. Then, on the road again!

Pine Lake, AB

Leisure Campground
Site #223B, p only (15amp)

We had an okay camping spot overlooking the lake. But, we felt the campground fees were way too expensive and the campground not worth the price. Likely won't be back.

We went for a walk through the campground. There are a lot of  permanent units. We had planned an evening fire with our propane pit, but the new regulator didn't seem to be working. So much for that idea!

It was raining in the morning as we packed up and headed to Drayton.

Douglas Provincial Park, SK

Site #242 - $20 (x5) p only, free wood

We ended up in a great site with a nice private fire area. We had tried backing in to two sites prior to this one but couldn't maneuver in to them.

The mosquitoes and the house flies were very bad the first two evenings. They did seem to let up the remaining time. We floated on our blowup chairs on the lake, went for bike rides and we went through the Interpretive Center and the Elbow Museum and sod house.
There had been a big party in one of the Wilderness tenting resulting in the tenants being kicked out. Ron ended up with quite a haul of bottles. There was also some partying down the way from us on Saturday night. On Sunday evening it poured!

However, we enjoyed our stay. We packed up and headed home on Monday.

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park

Maple Ridge Campground
Site $20 (x3) p only, free firewood, Showers (eye) not working

The sites are all very open and not very private. It is definitely not one of the nicest Prov Pks. We probably wouldn't come back here again. The beach area is nice but the camping poor.

Also? The mosquitoes were horrible. We did drive to Moose Jaw one day for groceries and had lunch at Boston Pizza. Plus we went to the Western Development Museum. Back at the campground I did a load of laundry in a poorly working machine. Three nights at this campground was three nights too long!

Kenosee Lake, SK

Moose Mountain Prov Pk
Site #229 - $20 (x3) p only, free wood

Again, a nice park, treed sites. We went for bike rides and took in a local flea market. We toured Cannington Manor although it was a bit of a disappointment. I had seen it before, but Ron hadn't.
Our neighbors across from us, Dave and Barb were from Edmonton. They came for a beer one night and had us back the next night. It rained our last evening there.

Madge Lake, SK

Duck Mountain Prov Pk
Site #116R, $20 (x3), p only, free firewood

This is another really nice Provincial Park. The sites had many pull-throughs and a few back in spots. There is lots of great biking and hiking throughout the park. There was evidence of much rain and everything was pretty wet with water laying around. However, there was no rain during our stay.

We did manage to get one day on the beach in our swimsuits. Another afternoon was spent reading as it was very windy off a lake. We were treated to some beautiful sunsets.

Canora, SK

Good Spirit Prov Pk
Site #142 - $20 (x2) p only, free firewood

It was sunny and warm when we arrived so out with the shorts and the tank tops. And then the rain moved in. Crap! This is a very nice park with good sites and lots of biking areas and hiking areas. If only the weather was nice!

Greenwater Lake Provincial Pk

Site # H61 - $20 (x4) p only, Yearly Permit $42, free wood

This is a beautiful area and we had a great campsite. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate! There was lots of rain and it was very cool. We did do a little biking and some walking between the rainy periods, but we spent a fair bit of time indoors. I did 2 loads of laundry at the laundromat. Thankfully, the rain let up for two of the evenings and we were able to sit around the fire.

Meota, SK

We headed up to Meota for Phyllis's Dad's funeral that was held in North Battleford. We parked for two nights in the lot behind Phyllis and Larry's cabin.

Regina, SK

Buffalo Lookout RV Campground
Site #B8 - $22.47 p/w

The brothers all headed home but we stayed on an extra day to deal with Vera's probate business at the Coop Trust. Left Monday after papers etc. signed.

Regina, SK

Fri/Sat: We headed to Regina for Vera's memorial service. We parked our fifth wheel beside Ben's motel at Emerald Park. Richard stayed with us, Charlie and Carolyn, Larry and Phyllis had a room in the Motel. Jim didn't come. We had a family and friend luncheon at Emerald Park Golf Club and then went to Candiac for the internment. We had supper at Ben's and Gerry's.

Drayton Valley, AB

City Campground
Site #7 - $20 (x4) p/w/s

It feels like we had just left this place, but here we were, back for Vera's funeral. When Ron had last visited Vera at the Home, it was 'funny hat day' and Ron had laughed at the big cowboy hat on Vera's head. He had said he hoped it wasn't his last memory of her, but unfortunately it was.

Anyway, Charlie and Carolyn had been busy making arrangements and it was much appreciated! Doug and Dave set up Charles tent beside us in the campground, and Kari stayed with us in the 5th wheel. Mike and family stayed in Mike and Bonnie's motorhome beside us. There were about 30 other family members that were all farmed out between Charlie and Carolyn's house, Carolyn's sister's homes and at Mrs. Brown's, the neighbor.

It was a nice service (despite the annoying old priest) and we enjoyed a large family gathering in Charlie's back yard after the funeral. We headed home Monday about noon.

Edson, AB

East of Edson RV Resort
Site $18. p/w/s, free firewood

We stopped at the Hinton Walmart and bought some sling chairs. On to Edson for the night.

Clearwater, BC

Dutch Lake Resort
Site #35 - $26 p/w ($4 increase from previous stay!)

We hadn't planned to be back so soon, but as I said earlier, this is a good stopover!

The weather was really nice - particularly after Vancouver's cold and rain. We went for a walk and had an early propane fire. We spent the later part of the evening writing Vera's eulogy.

Vancouver, BC

Sun/Mon: We parked our fifth wheel at Richards and we spent two nights with Kari. Gerry was away on a business trip.

K & G had just moved in to a really nice Heritage home so it was good to have a short visit before we head back to AB for Vera's funeral. Dave stopped by for visits.

Harrison Hot Springs, BC

Sasquatch Springs Resort
Site #53; #75 - $22.50 (x4) p/w

We camped on the Miama River the first two nights. Richard Janice and Betina drove up for a beer and a visit the first evening.

On Thursday, Richard and Janice brought out their trailer to camp with us. We then moved beside them.

We went for bike rides and walks and we shopped in a few of the stores. We weren't able to have wood fires with a fire restriction on, but we used our propane pit. Shannon and Matt came out on Saturday. We play dominoes, horseshoes and bocce. We both packed up and left Harrison on Sunday morning.

Note: We received a call from Charlie on Sat, June 15 that Vera had passed away.

Winfield, BC

Woods Lake Resort
Site #50 - $24 (x6) p/w/s

We had a really nice corner lot back from the beach. It was too windy to be on the front row. It was cool and rainy on and off and we used our heater overnight as it was only 12C.

On Friday we went to Doug's and did some yard work. I did a bit of shopping and we ordered pizza for supper.

On Saturday, Ron went to Doug's and I stayed at the trailer. We barbecued chicken at our place that evening.

Sunday we went to Kelowna for an 8 km bike ride along the Mission Creek Trail. Doug and family did half of route, we did both. That eve we had barbecue ribs at Doug's.

On Monday, Ron and Doug went for a round of golf. I did some shopping and laundry. We barbecued smokies at the 5th wheel that evening.

Ron and I road the 26 km Kettle Valley Bike Trail on Tuesday then packed up and left Wed. morning.

Clearwater, BC

Dutch Lake Resort
Site #59 - $22 p/w

This is a really nice lakeside campground beside a small Lake. It is off the highway, so is very quiet. There is laundry available, boat rentals and a cafe.

We did a bike ride through the community. There was a large group of tree planters camped beside us.

Jasper, AB

Whistler's Campground
Site #58J - $21 (x2) p only, fire permit $4. includes wood

We had supper then biked around the campgrounds. We didn't bother with the fire permit and just had a propane fire. The park wardens did stop by thinking we were burning wood without permit and were rather intrigued with our propane pit.

On Tuesday we drove up to Maligne Lake and did a hike around Maligne canyon. We took the tram up Whistler Mountain. Ron hiked the remaining 45 minutes to the peak.

In the evening we went for a $2. guided walk about the town site. It was quite enjoyable and worth the $2. The guide talked about the original buildings around town and we had a tour of the old church.

In the morning we did quick trip through a couple of the stores before leaving town at 11 a.m.

Buck Lake, AB

Buck Lake Recreational Area
$17. (x3) n/s, Random parking and 1 night at Charlies

Thursday: We camped with Charlie, Carolyn Scott and Dustin plus Mike and Bonnie and their three kids. Day 1 fishing was good but there were no keepers. We sat at the fire till 1 a.m. The wind came up during the night.

On Friday, Charlie and Mike went to look at a boat. Carolyn's friend Sonya came by for a visit. Charlie Ron and I went for a short fishing trip after lunch. C & C friends, Tim and Gabe arrived with their trailer and their son Dan and his friend Tyler.

Phyllis and Larry came out on Saturday and slept on our hide-a-bed. (Their dog Cara slept outside.) The fish were biting good but there were no keepers.

We headed back to Drayton for Sunday supper. The City Campground was full so we parked at Charlie's for the night. We blew a trailer tire on our way back from Buck lake, so we had to buy a new one and have it installed Monday morning. I did two loads of wash and we finally left town about 2:30 p.m.

2002 Camping Season starts at Drayton Valley, AB

City Campground
Site #31 - $20 (x2)

We left Medicine Hat at 9:30 am. Yay!! Then, 1 1/2 hours out of town we realized we'd forgotten the cell phone. Boo!!  And so it was back home again. Not a great start!

We arrived at Drayton about 5 p.m. We setup, then headed to Charlie's for chicken breast dinner. Jim and Jan and Larry drove in from Edmonton. 

On Wednesday we did some shopping and visited Vera. Charlie and Carolyn barbecued a roast that evening..

We packed up after lunch on Thursday and did a load of clothes at Carolyn's. We helped Charlie load his camper and then headed to Buck Lake. Charlie and Carolyn joined us after Carolyn was finished work.