Kelowna, BC

We parked in Doug's driveway for the two nights.

In mid August the mountain to the north had been through some severe wildfires as a result of lightening strikes and high winds. Doug took us on a driving tour of the area.

The resulting damage was mind boggling.  There would be one remaining sign or a complete house that appeared untouched in the middle of an entire blackened neighbourhood.  It was so freaking unbelievable - all the devastation. Very sad to see.

Back at Doug's we played some ball in the backyard. Doug, Ron and the kids went for a bike ride.

Christina Lake, BC

Schulli Resort
Site #9 - $23 (x3)  p/w cash only, no fires

This is such a great beachfront campground, but I'm sure it would be very busy, tight and crowded in the summer time. Also, I suspect the 'cash only' was saving us money from the prime season.  However, this time of year it's perfect. Very quiet and relaxing. We went for a bike ride around Christina Lake area and Ron fished for a bit off the dock.

Thursday we drove to Grand Forks for a few groceries.  That evening, we had neighbors arrive - Ron and Tymee LeBlanc from Calgary and Ralph and Sheila from Surrey.  We all really clicked and we spent a fair bit of time visiting back and forth with them.  We sat around the propane fire in the afternoon and enjoyed afternoon beers.  Plus we shared morning coffee.  We ended up staying and extra night because it was such a nice place and the company was so enjoyable.

On Friday, the other four went for golfing and Ron went to the par 3 for a round. 

Nelson, BC

We had a three quarter hour wait at the ferry but arrived at Jeff 's house about 3 p.m. We just parked out front of their place. We did a stir fry for supper and play dominoes until 10 p.m.

I wasn't real keen about sleeping on the street, but I did sleep okay. We were up at 7:30 or 8:30 our time and had breakfast and coffee with Jeff.  Jen worked at 7:30 so was already gone.  We were on the road by 8:45 am

Sparwood, BC

Mountain Shadows Campground
Site #4 - $21 (x2) p/w, sewer avail but didn't use

good cell and FREE WOOD!

This is still a great camping spot although it is close to the highway so there is a bit of traffic noise.

We went to Overwaitea for some groceries. The campground was virtually empty and we enjoyed some big fires with all the with wood that is available. 

We went for some hikes and bike rides. We drove up to Elk Ford coal mines and toured about the area. We had lunch at the Elkford Golf Club.

Bragg Creek, AB

McLean Creek Campground
Site # 37A - $20 p only, no wood, no cell

This is a nice campground with large camping sites. There was a sign outside the campground that said it was full, but a drive-thru revealed one empty spot. Lucky us!!

Note: Loop A closes Sept 21 Power in A & B only.  C & D or OHV sites only with no power remain open.

We did some biking around the campground. In the evening, we had a fire with the propane fire pit but it was pretty cool outside. It was only 4C in the morning when we left and it had poured rain during the night

Dinosaur Valley Prov Park, AB

Site #9 - $18 p only - wood cost, no cell

We took RR 884 which was a poor choice there was no gravel and it had just rained. We were covered in mud when we arrived.

The temperature was 9C but it continued to warm up and reached about 20C. It was perfect in our sight sunny and warm in the sunshine.

We rode our bikes along the driving trail and around the campground. The place filled up Friday evening and almost all the power sites were taken. The second night was much warmer and we set out around the fire late afternoon and evening.

Hanna, AB

Prairie Oasis Campground
Site # 17 - $15 p/w, wood cost

This Campground is okay for a one-night stop over. The sites are quite open. It was very dry and well-used and abused. It looks like it is very busy in the summer months. There is a nice Beach and Concession area on the water. The 'lake' is actually a cooling pond from the Sheerness Coal-fired Generating station that is seen in this photo. Water is drawn from the Red Deer River.

Big winds and a cool evening, so we spent the evening in the trailer.

*NOTE:  We were back to this park in 2016. BIG big improvements. It is actually expanded and re-planted, with many large secluded well treed sites and more being built. Still windy though, so stay back from lake. (Site #34)

Drayton Valley, AB

Willey West Campground
Site #1C - $20 (x3) p only, free wood, loonie showers

Great campground and we had a nice large site. Charlie parked his camper beside us, but we rented an extra site to park the boat and the van. They stayed 2 nights and we stayed for 3.

We fished on the river on Monday. Carolyn was busy in town so didn't fish. The weather was cool at night but we sat around the campfire.

Tuesday we fished offshore. I caught a nice walleye.

Ball Tourney, St. Albert, AB

Kinsmen RV Park

Site #3 - $22 (x2) p/w, firepit for rent, no wood, free Atco showers

Phyllis and Larry drove out for supper on Friday evening. Charlie and Carolyn brought their unit and camped with us. Other team campers included the Davies, Phaffs and Reed. The MH ball team lost two of their four games. Larry and Phyllis came back to watch them play on Sunday.

"Jack & Jill" Party, Saskatoon

Gordie Howe Campground
Site #59 - $21 (x2) p/w, firepits but wood cost

We came to Saskatoon for Erin Davies and Ian's pre-wedding Jack & Jill party.

On Wed, we were invited to a barbecue at the Davies home with Wilma, Rebecca, Carmen, Morgan, Colby, Sylvia, the Wourms plus the Davies - Sandy, Lewis, Erin, Ian and Chris.

On Thursday Ron headed to Bioriginal to visit while I went over to McClure Church for a coffee.

The Jack and Jill party was on Thursday evening.
We left Friday morning for St. Albert ball tournament.