"Don't stop - believin' "

A Canadian camping tale

 Cypress Hills Int'prov park

Well, because the boys and I were gone for 2 weeks without RKZ, Dad decided that we should go camping for the weekend. He even took Monday off so that we could go to a place we'd heard about on the Sas/Alberta border. The forecast was pretty grim, but we thought it might be a bit different 5 hours away from home. 

The trip started normally, with our 5 year old (sadly) plugged in to old-school Transformers and looking every inch the 15 year old in the making that he is...

In a rare moment of silence, our 20 month old (1 1/2) slept in his car seat for one of the 5 hours. Daddy dressed him, hence the Calgary Stampede shirt and rapper jean shorts. He's so cute when he's sleeping! 

 Monday night was great. After driving 4 hours through Prairie lands, we came upon a little oasis in the hills! Pine trees and a small lake with beautiful camping sights and a creek behind our trailer. The boys were in heaven and Thunder even went to sleep peacefully at 7pm while RKZ and Buck played Dominoes. This picture is the inside of our trailer.

 

We woke to 40 degree weather (7 C) and RAIN! Serious, winter-style, it should-a-been-snow type rain. It was as if we were sitting in a cloud and there wasn't a blue space in the sky. The boys had a quick breakfast in the trailer (this is the other side of the trailer - notice the pack-n-play where Thunder sleeps). We all eventually went out to the "Lounge" in the only local motel - and had some ok food (so much for local homemade). I am pretty sure that all of the food we had eating out was purchased at the Costco in Medicine Hat. It was ok, but I kept thinking how much nicer eggs and bacon from the grill would have been.

 I did forget to mention that our awesome camp site didn't have power connection or water. We were only able to use our trailer as a hard sided tent: no cooking, no water pump (to wash hands or flush). We did buy a generator on the way, but we were nervous about turning it on in the deluge. Writing it makes it seem funny. 

We spent the rainy day driving through some AMAZING country. Cypress Hill Interprovincial Park (where we were) is simply beautiful and pristine and just the way one imagines that Canada and Montana should look like. The US border is only about 80km/50m from the park (a lot closer than Calgary). No, I didn't take any pictures of it because it was raining and would look like every other rainy forest if I posted it. There was a camp ground in the spreading nature that was perfect. About 20 camp sites and a playground (of all things) basically in the middle of nowhere across from a lake where Pelicans were having breakfast. If we ever figure out our generator, we're going back. 

The day never did get better. Everything was soaked, and we eventually went back to the reservations office and changed spots to one which included power and water. Mainly because it gets COLD at night without a heater...like negative numbers cold. And even though RKZ, Buck and I were smashed together under 2 down comforters (so toasty!), crazy Buck in the pack and play was never far from my mind. He simply can't sleep with all of us yet as this is like sleeping with a rabid squirrel who demands milk at the top of his lungs the second he sees me. He must be contained for sleep. He made quite a sight in feety pj's, sweats and his winter sleep sack (like a bag he sleeps in). RKZ was certain that Thunder was going to be too hot. But he seemed fine to me! 

 After moving to this new site, we were able to wait out the rain with videos of Bob the Builder and Veggie Tales. RKZ and I were discussing how badly we were all getting along and he said, "Even rats eat each other if they are confined too close together."

 Monday (the 3rd day) dawned as sunny and only a bit cold (50's/10). The boys jumped out of confinement with shovels and pails and we made breakfast on the camp stove. Suddenly, we saw how wonderful camping could be if there was ever any summer up here. The new site was perfect - across the street from a pristine sandy beach, a bridge to the convenience store (we forget stuff) and a large grassy/sandy area for the boys to play. If there is ever a forecast for weather in the 80's/20, probably next year, we will hop in our truck and go. It could be heavenly!