Home again

. . . home again, jiggity jig...

We left the nearly empty park at 10 am today. The thing about everyone else leaving yesterday, Ron was able to collect enough leftover wood for our final campfire last night.  Also, no lineups at the dump station.

I am sad that our fall season of camping has come to an end. The RV is mostly winterized and will go in to storage later today.  There is still some warm temps lined up for Medicine Hat, so we will make use of our propane pit and our lower patio deck and wean ourselves gently.

Home Sweet Home

Elkwater update

Things are a little wet outdoors this morning. I'm feel pretty cozy in front of the heater, in my flannel pajamas with a coffee. I enjoy these quiet mornings while Ron grabs a little more shut-eye. 

 

It started to sprinkle while we were sitting at our fire last night. We had opted for the propane fire under the canopy which turned out to be a great choice. It was an enjoyable evening with wine in hand.

 

The park activity certainly picked up this weekend. We went from a handful of people scattered throughout the three main camping loops to our loop being full and a number of campers in the other two lower loops. Southern Albertans like their camping!

                                Still hanging around!

We drove to Reesor and Spruce Lakes and explored some other areas of the park that we hadn't seen before. We found some neat back country camping spots. It's an interesting area.

                                Reesor Lake in the Fall

 

                                Modern Day Cattle drive!

A rather cool thing happened yesterday. Ron started a conversation with the young fellow camped beside us. Mainly because he was dressed in Roughrider gear and obviously with SK connections. It turned out he was my cousin's son, Jason Graham. (He grew up and went to school in Gull Lake.) I had actually reached out to him when I saw his name on Twitter last spring. Our local cops were encouraged to embrace this form of social networking and many began to follow local Medicine Hat residents. When his name popped up, I asked if he was related to Sharon and Jamie as I knew they had a son Jason. I found out later that he immediately called his mom to see if 'this person was legit?' and 'who is she?' before he responded back.  It was through him that Sharon and I connected on Facebook and then met up in Osoyoos in May.  Anyway, it was quite a coincidence that we ended up camped next to each other in this campground. He tells me has told the story of me 'finding him' on twitter a number of times and how twitter can bring family together.

 

So we visited for quite awhile and he came back later with his wife Colleen for more conversation.  He is about Jeff's age. He spent quite a few years undercover in Regina and is now a Sargeant in the Medicine Hat crime unit. They are such a nice couple and I'm glad we had the chance to meet and visit.

 

That's about it for our Thanksgiving weekend and our fall camping. We will probably arrive home on Tuesday.  It looks like the sun just might break through and give us another great day!

Giving Thanks at Elkwater, AB

Old Baldy Campground
Site #4 - $29 p only, didn't use tap, Temp 14C, Internet at Visit Centre

I think I've said this before, but sometimes the best places to camp are close to home.

We love Elkwater. It's pretty perfect in the quiet of fall when few people are around. The weather is decent. The colours are gorgeous. What more could we ask for?

Refections - Elkwater



cloud waves

We've done the usual bike rides and Ron has been for a couple short hikes. There are only about 4 units in the park. But it is expected it will be much busier this weekend. Yesterday afternoon a couple dropped by for a visit as we sat around the firepit. The Simpsons, formerly farmed at Shaunavon, now living in Dunmore.

Great find!

Our Mexican Retreat

And so, we shall remain here to give thanks on Thanksgiving. We awoke to four wild turkeys in the campground this morning. I guess that is the only turkey we will be seeing this Thanksgiving.

blew in to Havre

Evergreen Campground
Site #21 - $30, p/w, Temp 20C, Internet: Montana406

So much wind. I sit here wondering if we are going to be able to drive today.

Yesterday was horrible. If we would have found a decent place to stop, we would have pulled over long before reaching Havre. However, there isn't much between Lewistown and here. The moulding around the RV door was blown off.

         Pretty drive from Lewistown to Havre

Ron didn't like the way the transmission was performing. I think it may have been wind related, but not sure? There appeared to be a bit of pulsing. We talked about heading back up through Coutts and Milk River area and stopping for a check up re this in Taber. If the wind ever stops blowing . . .

10 am and giving the drive a go. The Internet wasn't working in the campground this morning so I didn't get this posted. It looks like our next stop will be Elkwater now.

11 am: Crossed the border no problems. That's when the wind got worse. Tough pull. (I refrained from saying "Told you so". We should have waited another day!)

Lewistown, Montana

Mountain View RV
Site #18 - $28, p/w/s, Temp 18C, Internet

It was an enjoyable and interesting drive along a highway we have never been on. Through the "Flatlands", surrounded by low mountains. It was very windy, but mainly on our rear, so a good choice of travel direction!

There were a couple of Amish girls selling baking on the side of the road. Dresses billowing.

Lewistown is a historic old town in the middle of hunting and fishing territory. We had hunters camped beside us. A big new 5th wheel pulled in after us. Minus two air conditioners and the roof aerials. He had gone through a too short tunnel in the Black Hills and all had been ripped off. Ron lent some tape for a temporary tarp repair. An expensive hunting trip for him.

The towns first settlers were the Metis in 1879. Also, this was the site of a gold rush in the 1880's. There are some beautiful big old buildings around town.

I decided to do a couple loads of laundry while here. At some point while sorting clothes, my truck keys disappeared. There were two others in the laundry who claimed they hadn't seen them. I was a bit suspicious. Anyway, we looked everywhere and never did locate them. I worried that we would be robbed or the truck would be stolen during the night. We emptied out the important things (like the liquor we'd bought -ha,ha!) and I was much relieved when I woke up and saw the truck in its place this morning.

On to Havre area today.

Leaving Great Falls, MT

And now, a complete change of plans.

It sounds like road construction going west plus we have decided to avoid the mountains and passes.

We are now going to head east to Lewistown and then probably up through Havre to Elkwater for a few days before heading home.

Our trip cut short. I hope we don't regret it!?

Great Falls, MT

Dick's RV
Site #76 - $38, p/w/s, Internet, Cable, Temp 3C

Best border crossing EVER! Only one question. "Where are you headed."  Seriously. No food, booze, firearm or firewood inquiries.  We diligently polished off the last of our oranges, apples, peppers, tomatoes and cucs. We burned all of our firewood, drank all our wine and we weren't even questioned or searched!!? Pffft...

We are now at Dick's RV in Great Falls. It was a chilly night last night. The only good thing about that was our heater ran non-stop, muffling out some of the road and air traffic noise. It was very noticeable after all the nights in the dead quiet of those nearly empty campgrounds.

Great Falls, Montana

We've been busy running around and doing our US shopping. Exciting things.. like a new sewer hose to replace our old leaker. Some cabinet door latches. New underwear so we don't have to do laundry for another five days. We had to stock up on groceries again... the oranges, apples, peppers, tomatoes and wine! Plus, Ron got a much needed haircut.

We are thinking of looping west to the Lincoln, Seeley Lake area, up to Whitefish, then back east to Havre and Elkwater before heading home. However, we may spend one more day in Great Falls to do some biking.

Love the hoodos

My least favourite thing to wake up to when camping? Snow on the picnic table. What we awoke to this morning. Not much, but still . .

And it was Zero on the thermometer. We had heard rain through the night, but it was a bit shocking to see the white.

However, there is plenty of beauty at Writing on Stone as always.
Here is a peak (through Ron's eyes).
Love the fall colours.

Wednesday was a "jacket on jacket off" day. It was crazy -- Hot when the sun was out, cool with the cloud cover. It was a relatively quiet day in the park even with the bus load of Medicine Hat children who arrived to tour the Interpretive Centre. We could hear their 'enthusiasm' as they lunched in another area of the park.

Such cool landscapes! Love the hoodos.

Kitty update: There are 4 and maybe 5 kittens who have lived here over summer. The Park staff tell us that they have set traps, but apparently they have only managed to catch a few raccoons. It was chilly this morning and one has to wonder if they would even survive the winter? Ron may or may not have put out some of our salmon dinner scraps.

We said our goodbyes this morning and are now on route to the U. S. of A . . .
We will probably head to Dick's RV in Great Falls, where there will be internet.

Writing on Stone Prov Pk

Site #A21 (*good site) - #27, p only, cell on hill, Internet at Visit Ctre, Temp 16C

Tuesday --->

We made the 45 minute move to Writing on Stone. This park has always been another favourite of ours.

 

There is a tenter next to us plus one other unit in the campground. Also there are these two. 

I think they must have been abandoned here as kittens. They are very skittish and run when we come out of the RV or try to approach. The tenter tells us they have been hanging around the 4 days he's been here.

 

We did our usual scour of the campground. Ron on foot and me with my bike. This time it was me who came up with enough firewood for our daily fire.  We enjoyed sitting out for a couple hours but ended up having to bring out the umbrella when it started to sprinkle.  When we packed up and moved indoors it quit. Oh well, I opted for the electric heater versus more fire.  Later it was dinner and a movie. RV style.

 

There is no cell or internet in the campground. I can pick up a sliver of cell service at the top of the hill which allowed me to post this. We've paid for two nights here.

 

             Hoodos along the Milk River at Writing on Stone campground

Alone at Gold Springs Park

Site #16 - $30, p/w (water not great), poor cell but Internet, Temp 18C

Ack...WIND!! I'm glad we aren't pulling the 5th wheel today. Hopefully it lets up for tomorrow!
Temperature wise it was pretty nice at 19C.

Gold Springs Park, Coutts, AB

I think we are the only campers left in the park. There are maybe 10 seasonal units that haven't pulled out yet, but it doesn't look like anyone is staying in them. So it is just us and the caretakers. Quiet beauty!

Great view of the distant Sweet Grass Hills, Montana

We drove to the Milk River grocery today. Because Bacon. We prefer not to buy this in the US and we will likely be there come bacon day next Sunday.  Also, Ron had to buy a new regulator for our barbecue. We had to opt for steaks in the frying pan last night as the barbecue wouldn't light. That part is now replaced and we are back cooking.

The Old Hotel in Milk River, AB

Other than that plus a short afternoon fire, we've had a mostly indoor day. I changed the bed and did some cleaning. I baked some bread and made a pot of chili for dinner.  Ahhh...camping!

The plan is to spend a couple days at Writing on Stone before we cross the border.

The Trip Continues

The truck purred along just fine. We are now camped at Gold Springs Park near Coutts.

 

Last night was the first night we have not sat out at the fire on this trip. At 9C it felt a little too chilly for these old bones.

 

Also, we laughed.  Those late nights around the fire I talked about? I'm a little embarrassed to admit that we are usually indoors by 9 or 9:30 pm. But hey? It gets dark early this time of year and it FEELS like late nights around the fire!

 

Our evening indoors was spent catching up on Internet related stuff and then looking back at past travels. Lots of reminiscing and chuckles. It's great to have a travel diary to help us remember all the good times!

 

Today the sun is shining and we are back outside. Hopefully we'll have one of those 'late night fires' again!

Sunday means Bacon (and eggs!)

 

Friday! The truck comes home!

We just got the word that we've been waiting for. Our truck transmission has arrived from Lethbridge and the shop will pick us up at the end of today when it's installed. Big relief! Tomorrow we should finally be able to move on.

 

Weather-wise it's been a great week and we've certainly enjoyed the evening fires. Our food supply has held out. If nothing else, there was always the breadmaker and a good supply of flour, so we would have been good for awhile. Plus we had wine! We are just far enough from town and at the bottom of a steep hill or we would have been able to ride bikes to town. Oh well, being stranded wasn't so bad. (Now that we see an end to it!)

No doubt it's Fall!

I did manage to find a spot in our RV where I can pick up a sliver of cell service. Otherwise we would have felt pretty isolated here.

 

The plan is to head to Gold Springs Campground near Coutts.  That campground closes for the season on Tues, so we'll have to come up with a 'new home'.

Unhappy campers in Taber

Taber Municipal Pk
Site #44 - $25, p only, poor cell in window

We are not racking up the miles on this trip. Yesterday, we drove 100 km south of Newell to the Taber Municipal Park.  Actually we are quite happy we made it that far. The truck started acting up part way.  We suspected and worried that it was the transmission.

 

We pulled in to Taber, inquired about transmission shops and this morning we left the truck with Minute Muffler. Not a lot of choices in this town, but this mechanic was recommended.

 

In the meantime, this isn't such a bad park to hang at. We've been here before. The campsites are decent and the wood is free. (Although Ron's successful collection from Newell Lake has our firebox pretty full. The unfortunate thing is that there is no cell service and no internet down here along the Old Man River. I do not like being out of touch anymore.

                The wood man doing his thing with a found pallet

 

 Old Man . . . the River that is ;)

And now we just received the bad news. An $850. bill to remove, diagnose and replace our badly damaged transmission with the $3500. new transmission. In other words, about $4500. to get us back on the road again. Not exactly what we had wanted to hear. There are no car rental places in Taber, so we are stuck in our campsite. At least until Saturday. That is assuming the transmission will arrive from Lethbridge on Friday. Damn. It rather takes the enjoyment out of this camp trip. I'm not sure what that will mean going forward now.

Not much else to say. The weather is great, so there's that. The aphids remain horrid. I have never seen such swarms. The air is thick with them until late evening when the sun goes down. Gah....

Those uninvited guests

I did find a weak in/out cell signal when I prop the phone in one of our windows. If you are reading this today, Tuesday, it means a successful connection.

Newell Lake

Kinbrook Island Park
Site #107B - $29 p only, poor cell, Temp 26C

We left the worst of the bugs behind at Dinosaur. Here with the Maple trees it's aphids... Oh my gosh... swarms and swarms.  One must keep their mouth shut when bike riding. A lid on top of one's drink is a necessity. At least they don't bite!

 

The weather has been great. We were treated to a most beautiful sunset our first night here.

 

 

Other than biking and Ron going for a couple walks, we've had a lazy few days.  We did pick up a few groceries in Brooks.

 

We are enjoying the fall colours. One can almost see the leaves change hourly. The evenings have been warm and we've had some late night campfires. Ron has done well keeping us in firewood.  Yesterday he saw a 10 foot long 4x4 post laying on the shore while we were biking along one of the trails.  He headed back with his saw and brought it home in pieces. Good for a couple more nights!

The park is fairly busy this weekend. We spent the day on the beach and reading. We will hang here until Monday morning.

                                Beautiful Beach!

Moving On

We enjoyed our stay at Dinosaur PP.  It would have been better if the mosquitoes weren't so horrible. And the flies. And the wasps. Even though we were marinated in bug juice, the mosquitoes were constantly in our face. Or finding that one missed spot not covered with repellent.  Normally they aren't so bad this time of year, but with the heat and all the water laying around, there was a  hungry new hatch.  It was the main reason we chose to move on.

                                                Dinosaur Country ;)

A whole 60 km. to Newell Lake, south of Brooks. Same heat, but hopefully (so far!) not so many mosquitoes. There are quite a few more campers in this park, like us, taking advantage of the awesome fall weather.  We've committed to three nights. We have lost our wifi, but there is cell service - although sketchy. Right now Ron is out scouting for firewood.   We should be good for a night or two!

 

Day 1 in Dinosaur Country

Site #11 - $29, p only, no cell but Internet avail now, Temp 19C

No cell service at Dinosaur Prov. Pk, but we have 30 min. of Internet. I assume this is per day, but not sure??
Anyway, it will allow for some connectivity! If I go quiet, it's because I have used up all my minutes.

(We have paid for 3 nights of camping.)



The weather was 19C when we arrived, so that was pretty awesome. Lots of sun and not a cloud in the sky.

We had to make use of bug spray as the mosquitoes are still out and about. They are annoying for sure!
The park is pretty quiet. Probably less than 10 units. We did our usual bike tour and I nearly ran over a large snake slithering across the road. He disappeared in the bush before we could check further. May or may not have been a rattler.

                     how cool are these new yurts

                                                      cozy!
We enjoyed some Atlantic Salmon for dinner and then sat around the campfire. Such a beautiful evening. The night sky with all the stars was AMAZING!

                                                 our cozy digs!
Our portable heater is now running so we are pretty cozy inside. It feels good to be camping again.

Slow Start

It's been a late start to our Fall RV trip. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is probably weather. It's not easy to get up for camping when much of AB (not us!) has been shovelling snow. Crazy September.

 

After much debate (polite term for arguing) we have decided to camp closer to home and keep our driving and travel to a minimum. We may regret this choice and we may come up with a new plan after we have been out for awhile.  For now, this is the decision.

 

The RV is packed, the sun is shining and we are now heading off to Dinosaur Provincial Park. Fingers crossed this warming weather trend continues!

Arriving at Dinosaur PP

Kinbrook and home . . .

Kinbrook Island Park
Site #113 - $29, p only, poor cell, Temp 18C

We pulled out of Buck Lake with expectations of heading home.  Particularly as it was a wet morning. It was absolutely POURING at Red Deer. 

 

As we headed down Hwy 1 towards Medicine Hat, the sun started shining and the temp got warmer. And so we turned towards Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, south of Brooks.  We would have stayed there for two nights, but our old nemesis 'Reservations' once again reared it's ugly head . . .

 

Regardless, it was a great end to our spring camping and we look forward to our summer at Pelletier.

Sunset over Lake Newell, Kinbrook Pk

 

Buck Lake, AB

Buck Lake Recreation Area
$18 - n/s, Random parking

We left Meota in the rain Monday morning and headed to Buck Lake.  Charlie had already set up camp and we 'circled the wagons'.  The bros did some fishing while Janice and I hung at the campsite.  We did have a short but very productive bike ride when we came across a good stash of firewood.  It was put to good use!

 

 




Look at all that wood!  Good find J & S!

 Jim and Jan - what?? A blond haired, Jan?? joined us for dinner one evening. 

  

Charlie churned out some awesome dinners on his barbecue smoker.  No fish, however. The fishermen didn't fare well!!  Charlie's fishing buddies dropped by regularly for visits.  Ken managed to 'sweet talk' himself a couple of meals and for that, he provided us with a lake tour on his pontoon boat. 

yum!! ribs!

 

Ken's Tours

We were pretty lucky with our weather considering all the rain and flood warnings taking place in Southern AB.  We only required the umbrellas for a short time.  All in all, it was a great three days!