Seemann Reunion, Pigeon Lake, AB

Camp St Basil
Field Camping, p only (x3)

A last hurrah for the every 5 year Seemann Reunion.  Many of the same faces, just a little older.  The numbers were down from other years.  Good times were had by all.  There is never a shortage of entertainment or entertainers!!













The camp has built a new kitchen and hall, so pretty fancy 'digs' for meal prep and eats this year!

The remaining funds were split between family groups, we said our goodbyes and left St Basil's probably for the last time.

Alix, AB

Alix Lake Recreation Area
Site #4 - $25, p only

We are on our way to the Seemann/Kesslar Family reunion.

This is a nice over-nighter (for us) family campground with only 11 sites.  We were enjoying it more before the grumpy maintenance man forced us to unhook for the one night. 

Even though we weren't occupying more than our site 'pad' or sticking out on the road.  ALL vehicles must unhook!

Anyway, other than that, it was a pleasant evening and we sat out for a campfire in the evening.

The Lundbreck Falls and HOME!

Lundbreck Prov Rec Area
Site #53* (best) - $29 p only, cell poor, BRING WATER

We stocked up on groceries while at Sparwood. Our fridge and freezer were the emptiest they've been on this trip. Tuesday morning we packed up. I had just finished backing the truck to the hitch and Ron was rolling up the power cord. I looked over my shoulder and saw an animal standing in our campsite watching Ron work. He was only about 15 feet away.  At first I thought it was a dog, but then realized it was a fox.  We stared at each other for quite some time but when I opened the truck door to alert Ron, it ran. Damn! I missed the photo op!

From Sparwood it was on to Lundbreck Falls where we ended up spending 3 nights. Lots of reading and quiet time with no Internet plus spotty cell service. Although we have been to see the Falls previously, we had never camped there. What a great spot!

We were just a few feet from the Crowsnest River so there was the constant sound of the flowing river. And the birds! So relaxing.

The Falls are just around the river bend from the campground.

We checked out the small town of Lundbreck where we enjoyed an ice cream cone.  We had quite a chuckle over this outhouse at the back of the current Senior's Centre. We weren't sure of the history or what the building was previously. I wish we would have taken time to read the plaque which I didn't notice until I viewed the photo later.

We visited with a couple from Lethbridge who are newly retired from the CPR and teaching. Then, last night, a couple from Cranbrook asked if they could share our fire on the last night. (Ummm.. how do you answer that one??) Oh well, we had a good visit although they stayed later than I would have preferred!

Looking back over the campground

So this is the last of our Spring travels. Those 6 weeks on the road flew by. We are now home. Next up? Summer prep and stocking up of the cabin. We will be heading there with Greg, Kim and family after a week of Seeman/Kesslar family reunion (more camping) at Pigeon Lake then Drayton Valley.

Have a happy Summer!

Smiles when leaving Lundbreck Falls

Sparwood, BC

Mountain Shadows
Site #36 - $31.50, p/w/s, free wood, wifi & Shaw Open
Temp 24C

We enjoyed our 4 nights at Wasa Lake. The weekend certainly got busier with tenters and tent trailers plus the beach near the campground filled up.

It provided an entertainment break from our usual quiet days with just the two of us. By Sunday afternoon the campground was quiet again.

Room with a view - Wasa campground

Monday it was on to Mountain Shadows campground at Sparwood.  The weather has been hot. Loving it! Today it is fairly windy however. Ron is happy we weren't driving west.

This is another nice campground in the pines. Unfortunately we get highway noise. It is one of the few places in BC that still offers free firewood.  And wouldn't you know it, our wood box and bags are full!



Firewood! Good news!

Bad news!

Wasa Lake Provincial Park, BC

Wasa Lake Prov Pk
Site # 7 (*best) - $28 n/s, Shaw wifi at Gate
Temp 16C

Another day. Another campground.

We opted for more of the 'real camping' experience and drove 70 km south of Fairmont to Wasa Lake Provincial Park. Again, it is dry camping with no power or water hookups, but we are in the trees with more privacy. The kind of camping we prefer. (power would make it perfect though!) Also, have I mentioned how much I love the smell of pine? Awesome!!



There were only a couple units in the 100 site campground when we arrived. One fellow was packing to leave and offered us his wood. He had paid for more nights, but his RV battery was dead and apparently he got in trouble for running his generator 'off' hours. So he was leaving. He hadn't had a fire and he had a good supply as he is a log cabin builder. Therefore, many scraps!

WOOD !!!

After set up, we did some biking and we had an early campfire. It sprinkled on and off, but our trusty little umbrella allows us to remain at the fire. Temps dropped to 8C last night, so it was a bit chilly. Today it's sunshine and clear skies.

This morning Ron hiked up one of the trails. There were some beautiful views of Wasa Lake and the valley.

We biked around the lake. Ron took advantage of a personal book exchange along the way. We really need to set up one of these at our condo.

Wasa is a nice little community. It's sad to see the closed signs on the few small businesses that were open last time we visited. Private campgrounds have closed and even the school is boarded up.

The lake is small and boasts of warm temperatures. I expect the beautiful sandy beaches fill up in the summer. It will be interesting to see how busy it and the campground is for the promised warm weekend.

weather not fair in Fairmont, BC

Spruce Grove Resort
Site #242 - $44, p/w, wifi & Shaw
Temp 13C, Rain

We left Golden without a clear plan. We ended up in Fairmont at Spruce Grove Resort. In the rain. It looks pretty socked in all around us without much hope of sunshine until Friday.

Regardless, Ron washed the RV windows and scoured the campgrounds for treasurers for well over an hour. In the rain.

It was a good day to bake bread. And do a little vacuuming.

We seem to be running out of ideas on where we should camp next. It might be time to start thinking about home?? Maybe it has something to do with the weather?? We'll see what the next few days bring.

Golden Rules, so they say

Golden Municipal Campground
Site #22 - $35 p/w, wifi good (golden10)
Temp 22C

Well we ended up 5 nights at Blanket Creek Provincial Creek. Because it was just so relaxing and enjoyable.  And warm! Ron had to carry a few buckets of water to top up our tanks but the battery power held up fine.  Our little propane light works well to light up the inside of our RV after dark, plus it provides a bit of heat on those cooler evenings. AND, it saves the battery for the fridge and hot water heater.

Blanket Creek, Revelstoke

Ron's friendly talk talk talk to everyone paid off this weekend as two different units 'donated' their leftover firewood to us.  Quite a haul! He didn't have to pilfer from the wood scrap pile for our Sunday fire.

Monday we hit the road again.  All the way to Golden - a 175km trip! It's a very nice little Municipal campground, except... you got it... TRAINS.

 We were a little concerned about staying here because the high school is across the street from the campground office.  When we arrived at lunch hour, the first few campsites were filled with teens, sitting on picnic tables and just 'hanging out'. However, classes resumed and our campspot further down the road gave a much better impression.  We started out being the only ones in the campground but it filled for the evening.  It appears to be popular with the Europeans in their rental motorhomes who tour this time of year.

Kicking Horse River - campground view

Great biking!

Anyway, we enjoyed a bike trip around the town and along the Kicking Horse River trails, plus we sat at the fire.

Today we awoke to rain. Well actually we awoke to the 5 am trains that passed by. Guess we won't complain - could have been worse.  There are numerous trains during the day. After lunch we are off to the Laundromat.

folding laundry

Interesting note - The campground Store is also home to The French Connection Cheese and Fine Foods.