Kesslar Reunion, Skookumchuk

Aug 1-8

Springbrook Resort (Barnie & Marnie - owners)
Site #25 - $18. + $4. Tents, full hookup

We spent Friday night at Mike's in Medicine Hat and then headed to Skookumchuk on Saturday.  Charlie's, Shawn's (Brea 2 1/2 mon.) and John & Jill had already arrived on Friday.  The rest of the crew arrived Sat, except for Rhonda who came Wed.

Note: Jeff and Greg came.  Jeff had just returned from Montreal on his way back to Banff to resume work there.  We picked up Greg in SC.

Such a fun week!!  Believe it or not, Charlie had brought along his deep freeze filled with all the meat for the week.  (How the Kesslars camp!!)  We potlucked the rest of the food.

It rained when we arrived, but we had hot days (cool nights) the rest of the week at 28-34C.

We played a lot of Bocce ball, went to the beach at Wasa Lake and some went to the Hot Springs - both the natural ones and the one's at Fairmont.  Some went for go-cart rides and some headed over to Fort Steele. Jim, Janet, Larry and Phyllis golfed every morning and Ron went out twice.





We had huge bonfires (called a 'Jimmie' as Jim kept adding wood as Shannon chopped) and we got in trouble for being too loud a couple of times. It was a busy awesome week!

We left Saturday at 1:30 pm and dropped Jeff and all his belongings off at Banff, then headed on to Cochrane.

Dillberry Prov Pk

Site C106 - $17.
Wood available, no store

This was the first camping trip with our new truck. We picked up the Ram 2500 quad cab Cummins diesel long box at 11 a.m. and we left Saskatoon at 2 p.m.

It was pouring rain and very windy. We had some concerns about the power of the truck but when we arrived at Dillberry, we discovered that Mike and Charles had the same towing problems. The wind was totally to blame.

We arrived at the park at about 6 p.m, set up camp and had lasagna and buns for dinner. Charlie and Mike arrived about 9 p.m. We put the three units on two sites plus there were tents for the kids.

It was quite windy on Saturday until about 6 p.m. and then the winds died and the sun came out.

We walked to the beach. The lake is very shallow, but there is a really nice sandy beach.

Sunday was sunny and hot. We left about 3 p.m. all the others were still sitting around roasting wieners.

It was a great weekend - good food, lots of laughs and lots of fun!

Pike Lake Provincial Pk

Site #95 - $18. (nice private site)
Wood available

I had spent the week doing data entry for the upcoming bi-election. We finished up Friday at 4:30, so made a last minute decision to go camping.

I phoned Ron at 5 pm. He came home, loaded up, filled the water tank and we were on the road by 6 pm.

It was a cool evening and a 'warm water' only shower didn't help matters. We went for a hike.  The nature trail was very interesting switching from a dry sandy area to wet lush growth.

The campground was not real busy. Most all of the double sites were empty. There was some loud music being played Saturday and Sunday during the day, but thankfully, it wasn't too bad at bedtimes.

Darryl and Deanne came out on Sunday afternoon for beer, smokies and sauerkraut.

Darryl tried flying a kite but there wasn't enough wind. The weather remained cloudy until late afternoon and then the sun came out. (18C)

Darryl and Deanne went on the nature trail hike while we did the dishes. We were packed up and ready to head home when they got back at 6 p.m.

Manitou Regional Pk

Site #114 - $13.
Wood sold

Friday evening was perfect. No wind and sweatshirt only needed at the fire. Dinner was a Caesar salad with a wiener roast.

On Saturday, we test drove a Ford diesel truck. Later we went for a long hike to the Camp Easter seal property. We ended the hike with an icecream cone from the spa.

In the late afternoon, it clouded up plus got windy and cool with a temperature drop.

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.