Lake of the Prairie

  

Dave was feeling off so I was the driver and he was the navigator.  He followed his phone’s GPS and we may have taken the shortest route, but, my goodness, it was the roughest pavement, and then miles and miles of gravel with the road getting narrower around every bend along the Assiniboine Valley.  Finally, we saw the Shellmouth Dam and we knew were almost there!

Where? We were at the campground at Asessippi Provincial Park, nestled in the trees right alongside the Lake of the Prairies in western Manitoba.  Upon arrival we were treated to a delicious fish fry courtesy of our fisher friends, Phil and Marie.  Dave was excited to join in the fishing as soon as possible. That evening as we sat around the campfire, we saw crazy clouds, but thankfully nothing much happened where we were.  

Unfortunately, a health hiccup and a rain day set the fishing back a few days.  Instead, we had time to explore the little town of Russell.  The town wide garage sale was in progress, but when the showers became real rain, Marie and I joined the guys at the coffee shop; but not before scoring a few good deals.

Love the name on this coffee shop:  It's owned by some farmers who have 21 bins.  This, is Bin 22. 

Russell is a typical farming town  The old wooden grain elevator is now mostly just a landmark.  I love photographing elevators as we travel and have amassed quite a collection of photos.  These wooden structures used to be the landmarks of the prairie.

 

The  next couple of days were some excellent days for fishing.  Everyone was catching.  I'm not the fisher but I went along for the ride, and then hung out at camp.  I wasn't too sure about going for a walk when I saw a couple of black bears near the campground.   When some other friends came to camp for the night, another fish fry was in order.  

Phil is the master of open fire cooking and on the last night barbequed our steaks on a wonderful oak-wood fire, followed by biscuits steamed in a Dutch oven.  What a delicious end to a few days of camping together. 

Next stop:  Koslowsky Farm

Boondocking

 

To get to the Lake of the Prairies, is more than a day’s drive so we booked a boondocking site.

Boondockers Welcome is a web-site you join and similar to Air BnB, people can post their places as available spots for a night’s stay and you book them in advance.  As the definition of boondocking implies, there is no charge (unless perhaps they offer services such as power and water).

This was our first experience with boondockers – out in the pasture.  We arrived just before sunset, in time to enjoy our burgers and sitting outside with no wind, no mosquitoes and just the sounds of nature (and maybe a few vehicles going by on the highway a mile away). 

In the morning it was hard to leave such a quiet peaceful place, but the fish are calling so on we go. 

Waterton Lakes National Park

 

And we’re off.  After months of planning and weeks of preparing, we are beginning our four-month road trip.  

First stop Waterton National Park.

Waterton is one of our favorite mountain parks.  Even though we’ve been there many times, we seem to find something new to see and do; and the old familiar spots are always as interesting as if we’re seeing them for the first time. 

Cameron Falls were spectacular, especially after the recent rains.  As we were walking up, we could hear the roar of the water and soon could see the spray and mist.  I don’t know what it is, but falling water is so mesmerizing. 

The next day was a day of solid rain.  We were glad we could sit inside with our friends, Dennis and Irene, and have a wonderful visit, play games and do other projects.  Eventually we ventured out to check out the new Visitor Centre, art gallery and shops, still in rain slickers and boots – for those who remembered them!  The lake level was much higher than usual and the snow pack hasn’t all melted yet.

The next day we woke up to sunshine and southern Alberta wind.  It was a good day to tour around.

First stop the Buffalo Paddocks.  At the time of the Kenow Fire a few years ago, the buffalo were relocated.  Now a small herd was back and the two little calves were barely a week old.  Maybe not so little, but definitely cute.

Dave remembers the Maskinonge picnic as an overflow camping area from years ago. As we walked around we saw a raven’s nest with a couple of young birds high up in a dead tree. My photo looks just like a mess of feathers. If you look closely in this photo, a pair of swans flew just over Dennis' head. 

In the category of something new for all of us, we went on a trail ride.  It was just the four us with the guide and we were taken along muddy trails, through the forest, across the meadows, and along the lakeshore.  The highlight was coming across a momma bear and her two cubs, just a few feet away from us.  She shooed the little ones up the nearest trees and stood guard.  The little black cub was so curious peering at us from all sides of the tree.  The little cinnamon coloured one was hidden behind the mother bear, and we hardly noticed it.  The horses remained calm as we stopped for a few minutes before riding past.  What a beautiful encounter. 

    

The next morning was pack up and go. 

Next stop: Lake of the Prairies

Blow out the Cobwebs

 

When someone asked me how long it takes us to get to New Brunswick, I said a month and a half. And, it will take another two months to get back. Yes, we’re gearing up for another long road trip across Canada and the US. We’ll be gone until just before the snow flies, we hope.

Firstly, we need to blow out the cobwebs on the trailer. That’s what this past weekend was for. Everything worked fine on the trailer, once the operators remembered how to run it all. 

This weekend was also a chance to get together we some of our camping friends from Lacombe at a lake that was convenient for all. We did a bit of fishing, walking, biking and kayaking; and lots of visiting, eating and sitting around the campfire.

Relaxing in front of our friend's trailer. 

Storm approaching over Buffalo Lake. 

Pelican Point Campground, true to it's name had many pelicans swimming around and fishing like crazy especially after the thunderstorm rolled through.  They are such fascinating birds to watch as they swim in a line, soar high on the thermals, and then land on the water as if in formation. 

There was a very agitated killdeer around our campsite.  I walked back and forth, trying to find a nest with no success.  The next day the caretaker pointed it out to me - four eggs hidden in a tree stump. 

It always amazes me how easily birds and animals can be camouflaged.  Even the killdeer sitting on the nest was hard to spot.  She quickly ran away in hopes we would follow her, but we quickly took a photo and left so not to disturb her for too long. 

As we were camping at Pelican Point, we kept thinking of revisions to the packing list for the long journey ahead. Now we have a few days to run final errands, repack, organize the house for the sitter and be ready to hit the road first thing next Sunday.  I also hope to blog from time to time to keep you updated on our adventures and our whereabouts.  

First stop - Waterton Lakes National Park.