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Camping 2022 has come to an end. This is always a bit of a sad time for us. We did enjoy our week at the Oasis. We were down to 2 units in the park! Our last eve was perfect. A quiet warm evening with no wind, barbecued ribs, wine and a late fire. 

We seem to attract the birds! These Doves not only joined us when we were at the beach, but they hung around our campsite. They were quite entertaining as they marched back and forth through our campsite and gleaned Spruce cone seeds.

We will miss the Fall beauty and the beach.

We pulled out of the park at 10:15 this morning. We will NOT miss those flies. Ugh! They are the absolute worst part of Fall camping! I think we brought home half the park population with us!

We are now home. Yay! The truck behaved and my concerns were unfounded. I am not sure why there were "slipping" issues between the last 2 places? Ornery old beast!... That transmission remains a little worrisome.

Anyway... Things are mostly unpacked and the 5th wheel is back in the compound. Thoughts turn to laundry and grocery shopping. We are looking forward to a Thanksgiving visit from Jeff and kids. 

more from the Oasis

Wow! What a day! The temp at 30C and no wind! It's definitely beach weather!

We had a chuckle though. During the day we we are looking for shade and are dipping our feet in water to cool off. The evenings require campfires, wool socks and the electric heater overnight. Such is Fall camping.

We shared the beach with a couple of day use families. And their big fancy boats. One realizes just how big this Reservoir is when they put those boats on full speed and disappear into the horizon. Other beach companions included this pair of Mourning Doves and of course the gulls.

I think there are only 4 or 5 units in the campground. Tomorrow we will head to Hanna for a few groceries and will pay for another 4 nights of camping. Here's hoping the warm weather continues! 

*lifts wine* 

Thursday: We made our run to Hanna so Ron has his cereal and oranges to get him through another 4 days. 🤣

A few more units arriving for the weekend. However, back to our regular activities. A bike stop to take this path photo plus a selfie at the selfie booth.

At the Oasis

Eleven days later and we packed up and moved to Prairie Oasis an hour away. "Our site" was open and waiting for us. It was also time to bring out the shorts and T-shirts. We are looking forward to some warmer weather this week.

Unfortunately our truck was a little concerning on the drive here. Something isn't sounding right and I'm a little worried about the trip home. I think the old Dodge days are numbered. It puts a damper on the camping. Anyway, I guess we will cross that one when it happens. *Sad face*

This place is gorgeous in the Fall with all the changing colours!

There were only about 5 of us camped here last night. The neighbours beside us are leaving today. We caught some of the final curling yesterday. The Wi-Fi here isn't as good, but there is better cell coverage. We also enjoyed a steak and wine dinner followed by a late (for us!) campfire. We are still using our "gifted" wood!

The Big Move

Site #31

We made a big move Tuesday. To the other side of the campground. 🤣 We really liked our previous site location and views, but the wind seems to always "tunnel" through regardless of the direction. Plus there is not a lot of sunshine through those trees. As I sat at our afternoon fire in double jacket and double pants trying to keep warm, I decided enough of this. We moved a load in the truck to the new site then came back for the 5th wheel. What a difference! Extra clothes off and we sat out enjoying the sun and our new view.

It's a bit more "open" but when you are one of only 6 units in the campground and the other 5 belong to workers who are gone all day, no problem! Its quite private! We appreciate the sun and less wind.

We've had 2 days of cool weather in the low teens, and a couple nights of frost warnings. Looking ahead we see the 20's once again so that keeps us optimistic! 

We continue to walk and bike and Ron did a little snooping in this old abandoned concession or cafe yesterday. The $3 hamburger and $1 pop prices on the chalkboard suggest it hasn't been in operation for quite some time. It looks like an owl and other birds or animals have taken up residence now. 

Our campfires have included more curling entertainment. It is a bit of a strange combination but here we are with October just around the corner. 🥴

We will probably stay until Sunday, then head to Prairie Oasis. In the meantime we continue to enjoy the campfires with our donated firewood and these amazing views.

A Busy Weekend

It ended up being a fairly busy weekend. Lots of kids gathered at the play structures. Water guns and bikes! All my painted rocks were found and I assume have new homes.

We discovered that many people from Oyen meet here! The campers all appear to know each other and visit back and forth between sites. A couple arrived on ATV's Saturday pm and partied with our neighbours until well after dark. Hmmm... I wonder if any ATV drivers have ever received a .08 charge??

By Sunday afternoon most of the weekenders had left. The campground became quiet once again. We managed to catch a Koe vs Bottcher curling final from Okotoks that was streamed online. Hooray for wifi!

Our Sunday salmon and wine included this great view...

And our evening fire included this great sunset. Notice the Blue Heron and a Pelican that are enjoying it also.

However, camping is not all fun and fine weather. We awoke to rain on the roof this morning with wind. Ron managed to get out for a quick walk about, but got caught in a downpour. And it hasn't stopped.... This may be an electronics or "Sequence" game day in the 5th wheel?? Also there are those "fall flies". Ugh, enormous masses of them. Its enough to drive one to drink!😉🤣🤣 Here's hoping we see some sunshine again soon!

Round 2 Blood Indian

Big Stone, AB

Blood Indian Park, Site #7: $35 (x7) p/w, wifi, spotty cell

                                   Site #31 (x4)

Our time at home was productive. A couple loads of laundry, groceries replenished and all went well with the doctor appointment. No thyroid med change necessary! 

Ron phoned Rolling Hills Reservoir Campground and was told that our favorite loop along the water is closed for the season. So a change of plans.

We are now set up at Blood Indian Park and happy to be here! It's cheaper in price plus there is water on site! Cell service is iffy, but we do have wifi! Also no fire bans here!

We are paying for a week and will see how it goes. A big bonus when our neighbours gifted us a load of wood as they were leaving the campground!

How awesome is this!!? We have enjoyed the quiet, so it will be interesting to see how busy this place gets for the weekend. It is a popular spot for fisherman.  However, it does look like some rain in the forecast. In the meantime we are enjoying the views and the water life. There are many migrating birds are stopping by.

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!