Farragut State Pk, Bayview, Idaho

Site #113 - $20. p/w (x2)

We backtracked to this park when we couldn't find anything around Coeur d'Alene. We picked up a few groceries at an IGA - - as in we replaced our damn chicken. ;)

This is a very nice park although it wasn't officially open until May 15th. The water and power were on however. There were actually quite a few campers in our "Snowberry Loop".

We barbecued chicken thighs and then went for a bike ride. A 4 km ride downhill, It was a bit of work pedalling back home.

The park is at the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille.  It is the former site of a US Navy training base during WWII, the second largest naval training center in the world. It was built after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

The 1150 ft depth was perfect for submarine training. The lake is still used by the Navy's Acoustic Research Detachment to test large scale subs. Its significant dept gives acoustic properties similar to the ocean.  Currently, it is also a small community of floating cabins. Very cool to see!

In the evening we sat at the fire. We woke up to rain on Sunday so we drove to Coeur d'Alene for lunch and we toured about. I wasn't able to find an Internet connection.

Back home we had a short fire before supper and then we watched a movie.

We took a wrong exit in Spokane so we ended up manoeuvring about in the shopping district until we finally found the Highway 2 West exit. I hate when that happens! stressful!

Moyie Lake Prov Pk

Site #22 n/s
21C

Our first Spring trip is always much anticipated!!  We load up and we are off.  To Moyie Lake, south of Jaffray, BC.  There was no self registration set up or a Park attendant making rounds at the park. Lucky us! Free camping.  Also, did you see above??  21C.... yippee!!

The bathrooms were locked and most of the water was off although we did find one live tap.

We walked about the campground.  Very nice.  Make note to come back again!

And we had a fire with deadfall. (oops.) We did notice that our neighbor was doing the same.

We roasted sausage for supper and sat out until 11 pm.

At 9:45 a.m. we were ready to roll once again. It was not the best night sleep as it was very chilly. About 8C inside and 3C outside.

We crossed border to the US at Kingsgate, south of Yahk. And we lost our chicken, plus an orange - which I was prepared to toss. I was NOT happy about the chicken though. Damn Americans.

Kesslar-Walker Wedding, Edmonton, AB

It was mighty cold camping at the Whitemud Campground. The only somewhat decent weather was during Mike and Rhonda's wedding ceremony. At the ball park!

Fun wedding, good times and as always great to spend time with family. Fortunately our time at the campground was limited! Dinner at Larry/Phyllis's and brunch out.

Elkwater, AB

Beaver Creek Campground
Site #38 - $20 p/w (x2)
Temp 9C

We woke up to frost on our rails in Medicine Hat, but decided to go camping anyway. When we arrived at Elkwater, we were shocked to find all 40+ sites in the Elkwater loop were taken... Crazy crazy people... lol. We set up in Beaver Creek. Did some biking, hiking and a drive about.

Day 2 we moved to the Elkwater loop, Site #31. Because campfires!! It was pretty chilly camping with our heater running through the night.

Fort Steele, BC

Fort Campground
Site #20 - $31 p/w/s
Temp 19C and windy!

The old parking lot stalls campground and no fires. We would have toured the fort, but the staff were finished for the season so we opted not to visit. A short walk around the campground and movie night -- "Out of Africa".

Nelson, BC

Kokanee Creek Prov Pk
Site #41 - $22 n/s
Temp 18C

We arrived at noon and set up in this was a nice sunny large site. Jeff came over after lunch. We walked through the park and along the creek where the kokanee were spawning. Jeff stayed for barbecued chicken and a campfire. Jen was working.

Sunday both Jeff and Jen came by and we walked to the Canyon Viewpoint. They stayed for shrimp dinner and a campfire. 

We left at 10 am Monday and just missed the ferry crossing. We ended up waiting 1 1/2 hours for the next ferry.

Christina Lake, BC

Schulli Resort
Site #10 - $26 p/w/s, gray water only (x2)

We arrived in time for lunch and picked this beach front site. Best choice! Two other units arrived shortly after.

We went for a bit of a drive around the community and then for a bike ride. We had a good visit with George and Sharon who were parked beside us (from Coquitlam). They were driving an older RAM and pulling a Vanguard.

We biked 10 km along the KVR Trail and back. Had a bit of rain but we sat under the canopy for propane fires both evenings.

Osoyoos, BC

Nk'Mip Camp & RV
Site #95 - $37.50 p/w/s (x3)
no fires

It was windy and cool when we arrived, but we set up over-looking the lake. We visited with neighbours Ross and Lorna Lawson and friend Donna. They had bought property up the mountain in plans of retirement in 5 years.

We picked up groceries, did some laundry and shopping, plus hiked and biked around the area. We managed to get in a float on the lake one afternoon. The temp was only 23C, but it was warm in the sun. The campground was pretty busy for mid September.  We really enjoyed the evening sunsets and the town lights shining over the lake. Beauty!

Summerland, BC

Okanagan Lake Prov Pk
Site #52 - $22 n/s (x3) wood charge

It was sprinkling when we arrrived at 11 am. We set up and had lunch. Doug and family arrived late afternoon and we had a late steak dinner then sat around the fire.

The weather wasn't great, but we managed to have a good time. The kids really enjoyed themselves. We hiked, biked and had evening fires although much time was spent bundled up under the canopy.

Penticton, BC

Wrights Beach Camp & RV
Site #69 - $29 p/w, no fires

Temps were 27C when we arrived. We took a site on the beach, but they are shoe-horned in. It is difficult to maneuver around in the sand, so we stayed put.  It was a bit breezy off the lake.  We did drive around to check out other campgrounds and there really was nothing better that was open this time of year.

Supper was leftovers and we did enjoy watching the activity on the lake. We went for a short walk before bed.

On Thursday we went for a 20+ km bike ride along the KVR Trail, heading south to Okanagan Falls. We went for another ride after lunch and enjoyed a swim on our floaties.



We had received a call from Greg that Kim was in the hospital.  Connor Anton Armstrong arrived at 7:11 pm (ET).  Pretty exciting for me -- a 'real' grandma now!