Camping with Grandma and Grandpa in Jarvis Bay Aug 27-29

Last trip of the 2012 season was with Grandma and Grandpa McIsaac. Here is their story:


Day One:

Got away from Calgary mid morning of August 27^th  and headed north to Jarvis Bay Provincial Park.  We had reservations. Jarvis Bay is a very old campground with lots of trees and private sites.  You can’t see your neighbour.  There are some lots that have power and the rest are un serviced. Note some lots like the first one we went to have the fire pit and table on the wrong side.  You can only back in so the door ends up opposite to the fire pit.  No problem with the table as you can move it- but not the firepit.  Adequate bathroom facilities on each loop and at least one new (er) multi bathroom – shower just past main gate to your right.  Showers accept loonies and toonies.  $2. More than enough for a long shower.  Wood is available for sale at the “store” .  Setting up the trailer and getting it level proved a bit of a challenge.  Note to self- next time remember to let go the safety chains……   Over all a pretty decent campground.  Just outside of Sylvan Lake and close to grocery shopping.   We had chicken (pre grown/preseasoned/precooked with some veggies for supper.  We finished off the evening with a campfire and marshmallows.  Abigail went off to bed and we watched a movie on our computer.  All in all  not a bad day.  A bit of stress get away and then getting set up.  Took some time to get acquainted with the trailer. 

That’s it for day one

Day Two:

Everyone slept well and we had pancakes for breakfast.  Into Sylvan Lake for a round of Mini golf.  Then back to the campsite for lunch . We had sandwiches left over from the chicken the night before.  Abi went for a nap and mid afternoon we went to the beach in Sylvan Lake.  the Lakeshore is beautiful with a long walking trail along the beach front and loads of grass and new day use areas with covered shelters.  The whole area looks really good.  Supper last night was pork chops on the BBQ. John and Jane Walsh joined us.  Great visit.  We had a fire and toasted up a marshmallow. Abi was tired and after cooking the mm she decided to hit the sack.  

Day Three:

Final day. Woke up to rain and cool temps.  Everyone slept in.  Pancakes and fresh fruit for breakfast.  Barb made sandwichs for lunch and we broke camp.  Everything went well.  The backup camera is gold.  Managed to get the awning down and pulled away without any trouble. Same at the dumping station ( I think).   

Pretty good campground. New, clean shower/bathroom near front gate.  Quiet and lots of privacy shelter between sites.  Potable water is available on every loop.  Only draw back is that some sites have the fire pit on the wrong side 

Dinosaur Provincial Park - Aug 10-12

Dinosaur Provincial Park is located north of Brooks, Theresa and I visited here for a day trip years ago, and we loved the landscape. Turns out that this is a great place for kids also.  When we pulled up it was 34C, luckily for us it cooled off on Saturday and a short sun shower made it bearable.

The campsite not that private, but we parked strategically and it was liveable There isn't a lot of shade at dinosaur due to the lack of trees and the mosquitos can be pretty bad. The other downside is that there is no water to swim in. The site had no power or water, so we got to really test the trailer. We had no issues the whole weekend, so now we know we can definitely do two probably even three nights without water/power.

We had fun hiking around the Hoo-doos, playing at the playground, and the most fun taking in the visitor centre. Before we left Abi was very excited about seeing dinosaurs and she was very impressed with the dino's at the interpretive centre.

Camping Menu for the weekend.

Friday Dinner

Hamburgers

Macaroni Salad

Saturday Breakfast

Breakfast Sausage

Eggs

Toast

Saturday Lunch

Grilled Cheese Buns

Macaroni Salad

Saturday Dinner

Marinated Pork Chops

Pan Fried Garden Potatoes and Carrots

Sunday Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs

Toast 

Sausage

Sunday Lunch

Lipton Chicken Soup (in the parking lot at Cluny!)

Ol MacDonald Resort - July 27-29

Ol Macdonalds  resort  located near Stettler, we had heard of this campground from friends of ours. We had a blast, it was extremely busy but Abigail had a super fun time.

My first experience backing in the trailer went smoothly, and I backed into our campsite in one fluid movement, with a line up of trucks and trailers waiting to get by. I was so proud I probably bragged about it for a couple of hours.

The campsite was nice, we had another trailer in front of us, and a tent site behind us. The site was well treed and had 15amp power and drinking water.

We had fun swimming and playing at the beach, visiting the petting zoo, playing at the great playground and Abigail especially enjoyed running around the picnic table until she made us dizzy.

We will definitely be back here again next year. Maybe with friends.

Camping Menu for the weekend.

Friday Dinner:

Hot Dogs

Potato Salad

Green Salad

Saturday Breakfast:

Bacon

Eggs

Toast

Saturday Lunch:

Kraft Dinner

Potato Salad

Saturday Dinner:

Hobo Stew on the Fire

(Hamburger, potato, carrots, onion and mushroom soup in tinfoil)

Sunday Morning:

Scrambled Eggs with garden tomatoes

Toast

Let the Adventures Begin

We did it! we bought a trailer, now we are "campers". We bought a 1999 Westwinds WT260 which is a 26ft bumper pull trailer. It "sleeps" 8-9 people but I think comfortably it will sleep 4 adults and 2-3 children, which will suit our family of four for a while. Our goal is two trips this year with Abigail, and then have it ready to go in the spring time.

This is a KIJIJI find for us, we bought it from a family in deWinton that had outgrown the trailer. It is in fair condition. There is a small amount of water damage at the front of the trailer, and I will work on fixing that later once this camping season is complete.