Fall Camping 2022

Seven Persons, AB

Golden Sheaf Park, Site #15, $38. (x4) no wifi

After some extremely hot 30+C weather and a 3 week stay at the lake we opted to pack up, winterize and head for home on the Friday of the Labour Day long weekend. There may have been some laundry involved.

I had a Bloodwork appointment Thurs, Sept 8 and have a Dr appointment Wed, Sept 14 so we decided to "squeeze in" some Camping at Golden Sheaf, just 25 minutes from the Hat.

We left the Hat Friday am after the first appointment. It was pretty quiet when we pulled in, but the 20 electrical sites quickly filled up for the weekend. On Saturday the beach area was busy. Swimmers and seadoos. Normally when we camp here it is "offseason" and much quieter.

With fire bans in place, we enjoyed our propane pit. The usual walks, biking and reading filled the days.

It was nice when Monday rolled around and the campground became less busy. Although as I type the neighbours dogs are yipping at the window and a huge flock of geese are honking overhead! 🤣

However we did enjoy our 4 nights. It included this full moon.

One thing that has us shaking our heads re this campground. There are about 450 seasonal sites. Probably half of those campers have golf carts even though there is no golf course in site. They do daily tours around the campground. Also, if you can believe, there is no power in those seasonal sites! Charging happens with solar and generator. *shaking head*

Anyway,  today (Tuesday) after lunch and we were on our way home. A little laundry, a few groceries, a Dr appointment tomorrow and we will be off for more camping tomorrow again.

Home again, home again...

Nine nights later.. It is never easy to pack up and head home on a beautiful day. However, it is what it is, and our Spring camping has come to an end.

On Saturday, Ron will be heading to BC for approximately 6 days of fishing with the Bros followed by 4 days of visiting with Kari and Dave.

This makes for a shorter camping season. When Ron returns it will be time to think about opening up the cabin. 

The 5th wheel is unloaded and back in the compound. Goodbye geese and wood burning fires. Back to the pheasants and propane fires for June.

Cheers to those enjoyable Rolling Hills .

Monday blues

Yesterday we paid for two more nights to take us to Wednesday. This morning we woke up to wind, clouds and a little rain. Oh well, we can't complain as we have had a great week. There was only one evening we weren't able to sit out at the fire and that was because of the high winds. The temp was warm and it was actually quite enjoyable in the trailer with the windows open. I managed to beat Ron at Sequence - the best 2 of 3.

Most of the activity this week around us has been from the geese. There are a lot of little ones in this group. So cute!

Needless to say one has to be very aware of where they are stepping on the grass and along the beach! 

There are not a lot of campers but there have been a few "Day Use" families. We enjoy watching the youngsters catch the crayfish along the shore. I will leave one of my own "crayfish" behind.

Well the sun popped out and it is time to get some steps in! Oh look... wine. 🥂😁

Back on the Road

The home break was great for catching up. After 3 weeks there were quite a few loads of laundry. I much prefer my own laundry room. Food needed to be topped up. When home, I can make use of the online shopping. This is my new self indulgent custom. I love having someone else do my grocery shopping. I put together my order as we drove home and we picked it up the next morning. Awesome! I saved myself an hour and a half of doing something that I don't enjoy! 

And there was the weather. It was not great which seems to be typical of long weekends! Wind warnings, rain and frost isn't the best camping. We did enjoy a couple propane fires and one indoor fire at home.

Rolling Hills Reservoir Campground 

Site #20: $40 (x9) p only cell, wifi

Ron brought the 5th wheel home on Monday and by 11am we were off to the Rolling Hills Reservoir just over an hour away. The crowds were gone and the sun was warm. We love our view with beachfront.

We did get in a little trouble. Who knew we were such rebels? We backed in in at a bit of an angle and the campground attendant didn't like that. We are supposed to be "parallel". Good grief! 🥴 Anyway, he let it go as we were already unhooked.

Seriously? Not straight enough? Also, Ron did this on purpose! We often angle park for added privacy or wind breaks. Anyway, we are looking forward to a week or so here!

Headed Home

Well we got kicked out of this campground! That's a first. Apparently 2 weeks is the maximum stay. Seriously!? I understand this rule for July and August, but during the "off season" when we are one of 2 campers and over 100 sites sit empty?

We had actually decided we would head home for the May long weekend for laundry and groceries and to avoid the usual busyness, so it is not a big deal this time. Also the weather looks a little "iffy" the next 2 days. We did figure she calculated wrong and we have only been here 13 nights, but... decision made. We will go!

We enjoyed our final evening despite the rain. Thanks to the Sports Brella and the propane firepit, we were quite cozy. The picture doesn't show how hard it was raining or that the photographer got quite wet capturing it!

Anyway, it is time for breakfast and packing up. We did enjoy our stay. There were some great sunsets and a full moon!

9th day - Homesteading?

It is Friday the 13th and our first rain day. Things have been going well. That is one of the reasons why we have opted to just stay put. It's quiet, great walking and as we check other AB camping sites we see many are now "all sites by reservation only". Ugh... How we miss those "first come" days. No more Dinosaur Prov Pk visits or camping at provincial sites for us. I hate online reservations! We prefer being flexible with our coming and going! 

On Tues night Ron ran out of water during his shower. We headed over to the washroom tap with our four jugs first thing on Wed. After hauling them back to the 5th wheel, the campground attendant stopped by to tell us he had just turned on the water.

Lol. So we are now hooked up to running water! Yay! Also another good reason to stay put. Power, water and wifi! Also, I enjoy just sitting by this lovely beach!

We keep busy with our daily Wordle, reading, walks and bike rides. Plus I continue to paint and hide rocks. 

Our day is topped off with a campfire and lovely sunsets. It doesn't get much better than that!

Three more nights at P.O.

The weekend has come and gone and not another camper? We could hardly believe it. 100+ sites are sitting empty? We aren't complaining. The quiet is why we enjoy being out this time of the year.

We drove the 30 km to Hannah on Saturday and Ron was pleased to find a replacement pump cheaper than the one in the Hat. We also picked up a few groceries. When you are the only two in the stores wearing masks, it is like having "out-of-towner" stamped on your forehead. 🥴 Small town Alberta has declared covid is over obviously. 

So our food has been topped up, we have "running water" and I did a load of laundry at the camp laundromat this am. We should be good to go for awhile longer now. We have been able to spend most of our time outdoors and we have burned a lot of wood. I did catch a couple ends of the curling finals on Sunday.

Last evening our campfire ended abruptly when a little hailstorm blew through. There was no white "evidence" laying around this morning. We did hear areas closer to Calgary had snow however.

The 4 nights here have gone by quickly. We are quite comfortable and so we will pay for three more nights and see how things go.

Prairie Oasis, Hanna, AB

Site #34: $35 (x13) p only, water at laundry

Cell and wifi

Note: water on May 11

We spent 3 nights at the reservoir then said our goodbyes to the local fishermen.

We are not very creative with our camping anymore. We seem to just rotate around our old haunts. Plus, fuel prices and age keep us closer to home. Old truck, old driver.

It was a good 3 nights weather wise at the Reservoir but unfortunately our water pump quit working again. We almost went home, but decided to pack up and head to Prairie Oasis instead. It's about 30 min from Hanna, and we will see if we can find a replacement pump there. We have been creative in managing the water issues. We can turn on the pump long enough to have our showers. It just can't be left on as it runs continuously.

Once again we are pretty much alone in the campground. There is one other unit in another loop. Maybe the weekend will be busier but we love the quiet. Oh look, a crocus!

We did our walks and managed some time at the campfire before supper. When the wind picked up with a few rain drops thrown in, we opted for an evening indoors. But hey... we have wifi and curling is on!! Nice win Koe!

Night 2 at Blood Indian Reservoir

Site #9: $35 (x3) p only, water not on

Cell and wifi

I still raise my eyebrows at this campground name? Has noone complained re the Indian?

We were set up and settled much quicker yesterday. A little exploring and another lovely evening at the campfire. There may or may not have been cocktails again? When you are camping, every night is Friday night, right!?

It was nice to wake up and have use of the electric coffee pot and heater this morning! 

Once again it is a quiet neighborhood. Except for those honking geese!  The wind went down by noon and the sun is shining brightly so things are looking up weather wise. 

An Asian couple with 2 cute little girls are two sites over. I've been busy painting and hiding rocks for them to find. (They only spent the one night and have now left. With some painted rocks.)

So biking and reading are on our agenda and we have a big bag of firewood!

It's May 1!

Empress, AB

Sandy Point Campground 

Site #8: $21 n/s, no cell, free wood

And camping we are! It seems that the prep and pack gets more difficult each year. Plus this year there were the added water issues. Pump not working, new pump purchased, the disconnected wire discovered, new pump returned.  Kitchen tap not working, much tinkering, plugged line discovered and cleaned, tap fixed. However, our fresh water tank is leaking again and that drip will have to be dealt with another time.

We left the city and headed up Hwy 41 to Sandy Point Campground near Empress and along the S. SK River. A whole 115 km from home. We camped here once before and love the views.

We were the only ones camping. Just us and nature! It was a most enjoyable afternoon and evening around the fire with free firewood! 

The unfortunate thing is there is no power and no cell service. We can be without power for a few nights but I am rather uncomfortable with no means of communication especially with noone else around.

Ron wasn't able to get the catalytic heater working so it was a little chilly overnight. 10C when I rolled out of bed this am. We opted to move on for some power and cell service. A big reminder... one must lock the hitch before pulling forward. Ugh.... 5th wheel drop on truck bed not a good thing.