It's Camping Season, 1998!!

Wakaw Lake Regional
Site A-11 $12. (+ park pass $15.)
free wood available

Finally!!  My urge to camp becomes a reality! Wakaw Lake opens on May 1 with their power and water turned on.

Sign says "Choose-a-Site", but it turns out we pick a seasonal rental spot. Crap!  Turned out it wasn't a problem and we didn't have to move.

The sun was shining and it was 15C when we arrived. Got set up, bread-a-baking and had dinner at 7:30 - raw veggies and dip with a wiener roast!  Awwwww...... contentment!

Unfortunately, the temp dropped to 0C in the evening, so it was out with the parka and mitts. The showers weren't working but the attendant rectified the problem the next day.

Saturday, we had problems with a very persistent robin who was seeing his shadow in our mirrored 5th wheel windows and who was continually 'attacking' himself.  He would not give up! Even though he was dazed with a bleeding beak.  :(

We finally covered the window with newspaper.  At 5 am the paper blew off and the robin was back at the window.  Unbelievable crazy! (and very annoying@!)

We stayed at the park until after dinner and then headed for home.  We got caught in a horrible windstorm -- 70 to 100 km winds plus poor visibility with blowing dust.  We ended up waiting it out at the Wakaw corner garage for 1 1/2 hrs.  Finally, we arrived home at 9 pm.

Pike Lake Provincial Park

Overflow

It was such a beautiful day, so we decided to head out camping after our curling game. 

We arrived in the dark only to find the main grounds were already closed for the season. There was only overflow available with no water or bathroom facilities.  We sat around the fire.

Fiissels came out for supper on Saturday night.  We had a great meal with dessert and then sat around the campfire until they left at 10 p.m.

There was no doubt it was Fall with all the colors and leaves on the ground. We went for walks through the park and along the cottage area. 

Sunday was very windy and the power went out. Guess that was telling us it was time to head home.

And that was it for our 1997 camping season!

Manitou Regional Park

Site #114 - $12

Once again, we met the Finlay's for the weekend. It was great sunshine and shorts weather.

On Saturday, Ron, Ray and Frankie went to the driving range while I read. On Sunday, we went to the spa for the afternoon. We played lots of Bocci, Canasta and cards.  Another great weekend.

We had supper then left for home at 9 p.m.

Pigeon Lake, AB

This is a tight crowded camping spot with stall parking. However the sites back on to the sandy beach, which was great.

Charles Carolyn and the kids had already arrived. Shawn and Donna came with her parents motorhome. Donna's cousin and wife were with them, plus Gary, Cara and friends also came for the weekend.

Jim, Jan, Donni and John came for day visits and Vera came out Saturday for the day along with Carolyn's sister and kids. So we were a huge group.

There were big meals and big appetites. The evenings were cold and there was some rain throughout the day, but overall we had a great time.

We went fishing in Charlie's boat and caught lots of 'throwback' pickerel. Richard slept on our sofa bed, Saturday and Sunday nights.

IN THE NEWS:  We received word of Lady Diana's fatal car crash on August 31 while we were camped here. Such a shock. The world mourned.

Calgary, AB

K.O.A.
Site E50 - $19. + 5.50, full hookup

This is a tiered Campground that overlooks NW Calgary. It's an okay place for short term stopovers. No fires.  There are strict rules for visitors with locked gates, etc.

On Tuesday, we toured Heritage Park Museum. Jeff arrive for supper and spent the night on the sofa bed. He went out with friends to an outdoor concert and returned late at night.

We swam in the pool, played some mini golf and stocked up on groceries before heading on to Pigeon Lake.

Dinosaur Provincial Park

Site #10 - $15.


We met the gang here for a weekend of great camping.


Doug and Dave arrived at the park just before us. They had been in Edmonton doing a trade show for their lamps.


Mike, Angela and the kids arrived with with their tent trailer. Although Mike returned to Medicine Hat to work for the day on Saturday.




Shawn and Donna came with a tent.

We spent many hours hiking in the hoodoos and swimming in the creek. Busy times with very hot weather. Such an enjoyable weekend with lots of fun.





Everyone packed up and left on Sunday, but we spent an extra night. Unfortunately Monday was rainy.

Maymont, SK

Glenburn Regional Pk - $10.

I celebrated my birthday with champagne and a chicken breast dinner, plus a dozen pink roses.

We enjoyed nightly campfires and daytime ball games. There was a tournament going on in the park.

We walked along the North Saskatchewan River banks, and waded in the man-made dugout pool. Great weekend!

Drayton Valley, AB

City Campground
Self Registration - $15. full hookup

We met bro, Jim on our way in to town. He had a truckload of Vera's belongings as we were in the process of moving her from Regina to a Drayton Valley senior's home.

We set up in the campground and had bbqued steak for dinner while we waited for Charlie to arrive with Vera. He was picking her up at the Edmonton airport. She had stayed on at Richard's after Arlene's funeral.

The campgrounds are on the west side of town. There is not a lot of trees or privacy, but the sites are well spaced, have nice washroom facilities, large firepits and cement pads. Firewood was free.

We had a Sat. night fire with Charlie and family plus Vera.

An Edmonton Wedding

Glowing Embers Campground - $18.

This is a well kept, clean campground with nice washroom facilities and a store. However, it is basically just stall parking in a large open field with no trees and no campfires. Therefore, a stopover place only.

There were many large US units with their satellite dishes staying in this park.

Our American neighbour had problems with the levelling jack's on his motorhome, so Ron lent him our truck to go pick up the parts that were needed. I think he was quite shocked but very pleased with these trusting Canadians.

Saturday evening was Trish Fiissel and Rob's wedding and our reason for camping at this Edmonton spot.

On Sunday we attended the gift opening, then headed on to Drayton Valley.

Danielson Provincial Pk

Self registration - $17.

A rough road and a rough drive, but a really nice campground.  It was not very busy. Most of the campers were fisherman with boats.

We walked along the river where Ron found a 'spoon' and a hook that he gave to our neighbor. He and his wife then dropped by with 1/2 a jackfish filet which we enjoyed for supper.

They stayed for a drink and a visit. (Jim Anderson, retired, from Saskatoon.)

On Saturday we drove to the powerhouse at the Dam site and stopped at the park restaurant which featured a display area re the building of the dam.  A bit of a storm blew up, but it passed over quickly.