Last of Camp 2016

Kinbrook Island
Site #C113* good site! - $36 p only, cell
Note: Water until after Thanksgiving. Reservations still in use

We had a good stay at Lake Newell. We had an endless supply of wood as the park was cutting down trees in a loop beside us. Ron picked up a couple of logs from there.

He also found a pallet in another loop so he took his axe, cut the boards and hauled it back on his bike.




The fall colors and the sunsets are always beautiful in this park. Plus the weather was warm enough and we were able to sit out for some later fires. 

We always enjoy biking around the campgrounds and the cottage area.  They are adding a number of new campsites and have been working on the beach front.  Huge boulders are being piled along the boat launch to stop erosion. It was a little noisy with all the equipment running, so we were glad they took the weekend off.

And then it was Monday.  We debated staying longer, but we decided it was time to head home.  It's a tough choice when the weather was warm and sunny, but some areas are expecting snow on Wednesday, so maybe it's time. Even though this area looks like it might be okay.




One thing I forgot to mention. You've heard some of Ron's 'scrounger' stories and how he always checks campsites when people leave. Well, back at Prairie Oasis he found a partial pack of Smirnoff Ice coolers when the group of boaters had packed up and left. I really enjoyed those 7 bottles! Sometimes he really does get lucky!

Anyway, that's it for camping 2016. It always makes me a little sad to bring out the antifreeze for winterising.  And just look at these sunsets!!

BACK HOME:  Some good news.... Our roof was just completed this morning! Yay!!

Home 

Movin' On

We had a rather abrupt move today.
Ron went to pay for a couple more nights only to discover our site was reserved for tonight. Crap.




Of course there were a lot of empty sites, but when we have to move we prefer to just leave.

So we are now 60 km south, at Lake Newell.

The sun is shining, where it was cloudy at Dinosaur, so I guess we won't complain. Except no wifi. Oh yes, this is another one of those maple bug hangouts.  They are everywhere!!
Anyway off to find wood. 

Dinosaurs drawn to Dinosaurs

Dinosaur Prov Pk
Site #11 - $36 p only, wifi, no cell

Yesterday the park staff were around shutting off the water at the Prairie Oasis campground. It was left on in the laundry and I was lucky to get two loads washed.  It's always touch and go this time of year as to whether there is water in the parks.

alien skull in our campsite  -- or a rock  ;)

colours in Prairie Oasis

We also lost the use of the wifi for some reason. I wondered if someone hit a power switch when doing water, but we talked to an employee who checked and said everything appeared okay. He did a restart and the connection showed but disappeared again after he left. Anyway.. we chose to move on this morning.  Big winds and warm temps today.

It would seem we are not very adventurous this trip. We are hanging pretty close to home and are drawn back to our 'old haunts'.  Our first stop was in Brooks for some groceries.

And then on to Dinosaur Prov Pk. It always feels good to drive in and find your favourite spot just waiting for you! It is actually quite busy in the park and there are quite a few campers which is not really a surprise.  This place is busy year round! Apparently there is a Good Sam group from Calgary camped down from us. 

Leaf Busters at Dinosaur

Ron is already out hunting down some firewood.
Oh look!!!!  Success!!


Oh and some good news. The roofers started work on our condo yesterday!

more from the 'Prairie Oasis'

It was another morning of waking up to 0C temps. Our little electric heater is getting quite the work out. The daytime temps are rising, however, so that is a good thing.

There is a group of 3 units in another area of this park.  They have boats and are here for their annual boarding and skiing. Apparently the water temps near the power plant (Sheerness) are 84 degrees -- that's not too bad for swimming!

We noticed that all the outhouses are also advertised as "Emergency Storm Shelters".  We aren't sure whether to be happy that there is a place to go or to be worried that they are required here!!??

The flies continue to be a real annoyance and are constantly trying to get indoors. Swatting has become a daily activity for Ron. This morning he eliminated 10 of the buggers.

We have decided to stay two more nights in this park.  I'm not sure we'll be camping as late this Fall as the weather just isn't cooperating.  Another bit of a disappointment for us:  The "Roofers" were scheduled to be re-doing our condo last week. I just texted a neighbour and they haven't shown up yet.  We were hoping this would be completed while we were away.

Well, Ron is out bike riding already so I guess I should get dressed and mobile.

Marina

Hanna hangout

Prairie Oasis Park
Site #34 - $30 p/w, wifi, cell
Temp 11C

We really enjoyed our time at Dillberry.  Just us and the coyotes!  They put on quite the howling display last night.  It must have been a good kill??

Fall beauty is everywhere

This morning we woke up to gray skies and drizzle. Time to move on. We headed SW again.  At Dillberry we saw lots of evidence of the moose. Their huge hoof prints were all around the sandy beach.  As we left the park, one ran across the highway in front of us. I was so sorry I wasn't able to capture a photo.

Sandy beach at Dillberry

Just outside the town of Consort, the truck started making a very strange 'air sucking' type noise. Crap... not again we thought. However, this time we were lucky. The hose to the turbo charger had slipped off and Ron just had to re-attach and tighten a clamp. Whew...  He had this fixed while I made lunch and we were back on the road with no time lost.

We stopped at Prairie Oasis Park south of Hanna. There have been a lot of changes and improvements since we were here in 2003.  We have a fairly secluded spot just off the lake.  A row of spruce protected us from the breeze that was blowing and allowed us to have our usual late afternoon fire.  It looks like there is only one other unit sharing this campground.  We are getting spoiled with our private campspots!

It still looks like summer here!

from Dillberry Prov Pk

Site # B32 - $35 p only
wifi at gate (DillberyGuest), poor cell
Temp 14C

We had a bit of a chuckle after we set up camp in this park. As I said to Ron, driving to Wainwright for a jug of milk was a lot of extra miles. We could have driven a much shorter route from Big Stone to here if we had come direct!

This was happening elsewhere yesterday... yikes!

However this park was a good choice and we enjoyed the drive along some great secondary highways that we had never been on before. The countryside is all decked out in fall colours. Beautiful!

Looking back at my travel blog, I see we stayed in this park in June, 1998 with Charlie, Mike and family. It was the first tow for our newly purchased Dodge Ram. We were a little concerned about the truck power, but when we arrived we found out that both Charlie and Mike had experienced towing issues. Horrible winds were to blame.

We rode our bikes through the 83 sites today and discovered that there are a row of cottages across the lake. We missed that last time we were here - or maybe they are a new edition since?

I also found wifi is available at the park offce.  Noone was around to ask about it. It took about 5 random tries to figure out the security code and we were able to our check email. :)

Ron has continued to scrounge wood for our nightly fires. We are enjoying the sunshine and the quiet. It's a little crazy being the only ones in the campground!

Fall view from our 5th wheel

on to Wainwright area

We finally said our goodbyes to Blood Indian Park. It was an enjoyable stay and we will return.  The weather was awesome except for windy Sunday.  The wind did let up in time for our evening campfire.

Monday, without the wind was perfect again! There were not many people left in the park so it was pretty quiet. We met the Armstrongs on their 'walk about' and they tell us the water will be turned off today.

We have really enjoyed all the bird activity. Geese, pelicans, cormorants, etc. Every evening the flocks of geese take off with much squawking and noise but they are always back come morning. We have noticed a goose with a damaged wing and it's partner remains by it's side.  I read that geese will often refuse to leave a partner, even if winter is approaching and the other geese in the group are flying south. It's rather sad.

 

Today we headed to Wainwright. Picked up a few groceries then thought we would camp at Arm Lake. There was noone in the office and we weren't sure about sites so we left.

We are now in a great spot at Dillberry Prov Pk. The only campers here. Sketchy cell and no Internet so more later. 

Sunday Morning

Two big disappointments this morning:
1. Extreme wind
2. Someone forgot to pack the bacon

We had talked about staying put a little longer and that wind just made the choice for us.  It is not a good moving day! Also, we really are not sure where to go next.  Where is all the hot weather?? (We had previously decided not to cross the US border, so no passports.)

Anyway, we have enjoyed our stay so far. The bike rides and the evening campfires. When one camps at a 'fishing hole' everyone who walks by asks how the fishing is. So I guess we are an anomaly. Some younger families did come for the weekend and the water park is getting used. It's a great place for kids.





One thing we forgot about when camping this time of year. FLIES. ugh... They are everywhere and they are very annoying! They are the reason we have been eating indoors even though it is plenty warm outside.

Prawn night

Well, I must get dressed! I think today will be a reading day.  Ron is already doing just that!

More Nights at Big Stone, AB

We just paid for 2 more nights.  The price is decent, it's peaceful, the weather is great and we have power, water AND wifi.  Perfect!

Big Stone - name of the community

Yesterday we drove around the reservoir and checked out all the dry camping spots.  It really is a perfect set up for fisherman.  There are pull offs all along the water's edge.  However, the word is that they are not catching much this time of year. There are plenty of pelicans so maybe they are cleaning up!? Our neighbours did come home with one small trout yesterday.

We were quite surprised to find out that this campground is not run by 'Indians' nor is it on Native land.  It is one of the provinces "Special Areas" and is in fact managed by the Armstrongs.  The dam was built in 1965 by the PFRA. According to legend, there was a native attack at the creek in 1840 and the creek literally ran red from the slain Blackfeet.  Hence - Blood Indian Creek.

We've been treated to some awesome sunsets.





We are a little undecided as to where to go next. The weather forecast looking a little cooler all over, so it's difficult to come up with a plan!

Fall Camping at Blood Indian Park

Site #10 - $25 p/w, wifi, poor cell
Temp 17C

Finally! The weather forecast is showing some promise and we are ready for some Fall Camping!

We've awoke to frost the past couple mornings and camping was not the place I wanted to be. Too chilly!!

However, we made the big decision yesterday. We picked up the Fifth Wheel. Started loading. Came up with a plan for the first night. And here we are! At the Blood Indian Park just south of Youngstown, AB and near the community of Big Stone.

This is a first for us and we were quite impressed. We managed to grab one of the 29 power spots, but there are approximately 250 random spots and you can camp where ever you manage to fit in.



          Fishing is good! according to the pelicans

We can see various units scattered around the lake. Those sites are in the open, but with plenty of space between to feel private. Most of the campers are here with their fishing gear and are busy reeling in the trout.

                      For the young 'uns
We did a quick bike tour around our side of the lake. Did I mention the weather is awesome!? Oh, and there is wifi available! The cell service is poor so it's nice to stay connected!

                             The other power loop
We are looking forward to spending a couple nights here.

               Our view - Campers across the lake.