More Camping...

Had a great week in Cold Lake at the Provincial Park. Arrived in the rain but it did clear up and the air was fresh and things dried up quickly. Always nice to have a fire. We were able to create a 'triple level fire' as the base is quite large, and has a two-tired grate - so of course we had to try it!

Triple decker fire

The paths within the park are wonderful as well - very long - and wide so could keep our eyes open for the 'bear in area' which was posted and the 'droppings of same'! He was everywhere!!!

Beautiful paths

There was a boat launch area but not a swimming area - you had to drive to the beach in Cold Lake if you wanted to do that. But the boat launch was nice - although it was overcast the afternoon we were there.

Fishing rod and reel with us - but no fish!

We went to the Cold Lake Marina and enjoyed the warm weather one day and all the beautiful boats. Took in lunch at Clark's restaurant across from the marina. We all enjoyed their clam chowder soup!

Beautiful reflections

Enjoying the nice weather

We also went to the airbase to watch jets take off and land. It was not as busy as we had hoped but there was still the thrill of 'anticipation'. A few helicopters helped make the afternoon special as well!

Hard to get the jet close enough and fast enough!

Just caught this trainer jet - but better than nothing!

The best part for me was looking at the clouds and of course the grain fields. Throw in a few flowers and you have a perfect day!

Grain fields (and clouds)!

More grain...

Angling Lake - near the farm

Just beautiful...

More of the same!

Ouch...snow

Woke up to rain with flurries added and the developing 'white roof' and grass! I know it will likely warm up again but it's a VERY sobering fact that winter is coming (and soon)!!

Camping

Well, it is time to go camping again. Kids are back in school and supposedly there will be fewer people in the campground and easier to get sites. NOT! We ended up with power only as all the full service sites were booked in the campgrounds we wanted to go to. So...we are up in Cold Lake Provincial Park with power only. That being said, it has only been a few years since we never had ANY services except a site! So, I guess I can live with it! I am going for the 'relaxation' and 'socializing with our friends'! You can always 'get by' if you have a fire!

The weather is supposed to be about 19 or 20 C and only possible light showers today and then the sun for the remainder. Hopefully by the time we get there, the weather will have cleared - although it is sunny here right now!

This will probably be the last camping for the season as harvest will be taking place likely next week. That means I will be a 'farm widow' for awhile! 

Well, off and running....

Well, it has been awhile. Definitely had a great holiday and now we are back at work again. Weather has cooled off and actually I am happy about that. It was hot all the time we were away - 30 C and above and that's great for vacation, sitting outside around the fire or under the awning, or just hiking in the woods but...not at home in a hot house and trying to sleep at night. Thankfully, it does cool off a bit. And NO, we do not have air conditioning like so many of our friends. So, I am thankful to the cooler weather that has settled in on us.

We did a lot of hiking in the Kimberley area. Miles upon miles of beautiful hikes up the mountain and down the other side! We definitely got our exercise the week we were there. Next time, it would be a start off location and then we would work our way home, maybe staying in Jasper or in Radium for two weeks. Having said that, we did finish off in Radium again for two days which was nice. Three weeks away and I could have used another week easily!

There were quite a few forest fires around us which made for beautiful sunsets - ash in the air - but they also made the atmosphere kinda eerie during the day as well. Cleared up for a few days and then back to the eerie!

Before we even left, the late afternoon sun.

We did a lot of exploring around the Kimberley area. Beautiful country. Didn't get to see it all so will have to go back!

While in Radium we had a mini reunion with my brother and his family. It's hard to get everyone together but it worked out ok this time round. Enjoyed seeing everyone and relaxing together in the beautiful weather we shared.

The group of us!

We also enjoyed a great time with our daughter and family. We did a number of hikes and enjoyed eating together, hiking and just general play! Thankful there was a playground close by for the younger ones to visit and the others had their bikes so we were able to have a real variety of activities going on! The walk to the hot pools for ice cream was my favourite! Guess that is showing the most on me!

Here's a pic of the kids and us hiking to the Hot Pools. We ran into some friends that we met last year and they took this photo of all of us...

The kids were with us for awhile but eventually headed on to even hotter climates in Kelowna! Of course, they were camping close to the lake which makes hot weather even better!! Nothing like sitting in your beach chair IN the water!!

Our trailer worked well and I am definitely still in love with it. So thankful to have air conditioning when the temperature reached 34 C. Even so, when you are in the trees, it is amazing how much cooler it is.

This was about noon hour!!

Here's a few pretty pictures too ...

Well, now we are home again. Our next trip is to Hawaii and I know those sunsets are beautiful. Looking forward to that already but that's not till next year!

Trailer loaded

It seems to me that it takes a lot more effort to pack a trailer than it does to pack our old tent trailer. Don't get me wrong...I love my trailer. It just feels that I am going 'back and forth' and 'back and forth' into the house, downstairs and upstairs and into the bedrooms, back to the kitchen, then out to the trailer! I have done this all day long! I am beat! I do believe we have everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) we will need and a whole lot more. Having said that, I know there is that 'one thing' that I will forget to bring. Not sure what it is yet....but it's there...hiding on me.

Oh well, I will try to have a good time anyway! will keep you posted on what's happening.

Well, my brother reminded me that I have not posted anything for awhile so I am going to change that right now!

We were out to Vancouver to see our daughter and family for Father's Day. It seems like we are there for occasions like Father's Day or John's birthday and miss Mother's Day and my birthday. Not that I am complaining...well, maybe a bit! 

We are getting used to no trees in our backyard and enjoying the sunshine. The grass has improved 100% and John wishes it looked as good in the front of the house. Hey...you can't have everything! Because there are no tress now, the sun does shine! and bright! So...I bought some bamboo blinds that can be dropped if it is too sunny. It does make a difference! I don't have any pics of them but just know that it works.

We were out at church camp for a week (off and on as we both had to work two days of the week) but left our trailer there. It was different than regular camping but nice. It got us for the real trip which is coming soon.


The skies have been something else lately. Changes in weather, rain, sun, hot, cooler all added up to beautiful a beautiful sky and gorgeous sunsets. Amazing that you these pics are all taken after 10 pm! These three pics are on three different nights! It may seem that my color dial on my camera may have been off but actually, these are as close to the real thing as the real thing is!!

 

Raindrops keep falling...

A beautiful morning to stain the deck. John has gone to work, I was up early and ready to go. Sun was shining, weather was cool but warm enough to be in shorts and short sleeves. Paint brush in hand, gallons of stain beside me. Everything out and I was busy at getting it all done!

Lower deck now complete. Brush in hand. Should I or shouldn't I go for staining the stairs as well? Make sure, I said to myself and went to the computer to double-check the weather report.  Looks like rain. But not till later tonite. Oh what the heck! Go for it.  Sun is still shining. Some clouds but high in the sky and off to the west. No problem-o!

Oh dear...wind picking up...Oops! Was that a raindrop? Oh no! You guessed it. Out of nowhere (at least to my visibility) in a period of half an hour, a big black storm cloud(s). Please, please, please, don't rain - just blow over! I am not sure who I am talking to as I know God is not going to delay rain simply because I chose to stain my 3 steps! Thankfully, the lower deck has been drying in the sun and it has been a couple hours since it was stained. The stairs are a different story. I was thinking of how I could 'cover them' in case it rained and brought out a big plastic sheet but could not figure out how to cut it and then secure it. In the end, I said "it won't rain much." I no sooner got in the house than the familiar sound of droplets on the plastic sheeting over our deck made its way into my hearing! Oh yes, it rained and though only for a short time, it came down pretty good. As I sit and write this note, the sky is now blue with big white fluffy clouds and the rain is sitting nicely on the top of my freshly stained deck and stairs! Hopefully, it will dry up before it sinks in and ruins my paint job!