Taber, AB

Taber Municipal Park
Site #44 - $25 p only, Free Firewood, poor cell
Temp 17C

The weekend crew at Newell were packing up Sunday morning and we decided to do the same.  It was cloudy and much cooler.  The weather forecast looked better further south, so off to Taber we went.  (I'm hearing that Calgary could see some snow on Wed. -- yuk!!)  And no, we are not going across the US border this trip with the Canadian $$ as it is.

Fall colours

Our last stay here was not such a happy one.  Fall 2014, we were stuck here for 5 days awaiting a truck transmission repair.  However, happier times this year as Taber was indeed warmer and we enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine.  We like this Municipal park with free firewood and cheap camping.  The cell service is poor however and I was getting a little frustrated trying to follow the weekend "Grand Slam" curling scores. Oh, Internet, I miss you when you are not available!

It's Monday morning and we have lost our sunshine and warm weather.  Time for some Internet and grocery shopping in Taber.  Please send warm weather if you have extra at your place.

Fall camping 2015 - Newell Lake, AB

Kinbrook Island Prov Pk

Site #112 - $35 (x4) p only

Sept 10 - I'm sitting in the sunshine at Newell Lake. Maple bugs. Everywhere! We had forgotten about this part of Fall Camping with the Ash trees. It is reminiscent of our SK Landing stay in Fall 2012.



We ended up closing the cabin early and not staying for the Labour Day weekend. The forecast was cold, wet and windy. Home was much more appealing. We did have a great final week at the lake. It was quiet, the weather was awesome and watching a "ready to move" home being delivered across the lake was great entertainment.

Anyway, back at home we weather watched and brought home the RV on Tues, packed up and headed out Wednesday. Once again we weren't completely certain of our destination, but ended up turning south at Brooks. And we spent four nights at Newell.

Gulls and more gulls
We've been for our usual bike rides throughout the park and enjoyed a couple late night campfires. On Friday, a group of "Newfies" now working in the area pulled in across and on either side of us. Also joining them were the parents of one of the wives. (Not from Newfoundland.) A conversation with the parents started because they had a Vanguard 5th wheel (as do we). Anyway, we ended up doing lots of visiting. They, MaryAnne and Bruno Garrecht, farm at Fox Valley and are just starting to think of retirement and traveling. It turns out her 90 yr old mother, Doris Laird, went to school at Cedar Hill, the same small country school at the top of Lac Pelletier hill where mom went. (And yes, mom knew the Laird family and rattled off all her sibling's names.) Small world.





We had a great time at Newell, the weather was perfect and we had lots of laughs with our new friends. We got to sample some amazing clam chowder. We might just have to find out when and where their next camping trip is!



Bring your own palm trees ;)

Kesslar Reunion, Drayton Valley, AB

Willey West Campground
Group Camp, n/s, kitchenette with power

A whole bunch of Kesslars.  And the good times continue.
There was sunshine and a little rain.



Lots of visiting, crafts, cards, campfires, movies, water games.
Plenty of laughter, plenty of good food. 


















It's always sad to say our goodbyes.
And sadder yet when you end up with a flat tire on the way home!!

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