Well 2018 didn't go as planned...

This time last year we were buying a spot in a schwanky resort in California where we spent the winter, leaving April 6th to head home to Canada.

Rancho RV Resort

The plan was simple: We had rented an RV site in Alberta for the summer from readers we had met along the way. (Still feel terrible about that whole mess, we haven't heard from them since.) We would drive the (Yellow) Jeep out to Saskatoon to see family every few weeks or so before heading south again in November to the Resort.

Easy, Simple, Sorted.

NOT.

While driving to the rented resort in Alberta, the 4X in the Jeep fell out of Neutral somehow we still don't understand and we blew the engine out of her in southern Utah! Most obvious solution: my brother. So we change routes and head to Saskatoon with her in tow. After a month of repairing her every chance he got, we thought she was fixed but she had other plans....

Jeep engine rebuild

While all of this is going on my Dad AND his wife were in and out of hospital in Ontario adding to the stress level of the entire family (they are both doing relatively okay now).

Meanwhile not knowing when we would ever get to Alberta, we decided to cancel the resort we had booked. Turned out just as well because we had to buy a new Jeep (Black), Brad's Mum went away on a couple of holidays and we house sat for her for 2 months, putting the RV in storage.

Brad's Mum's garden

Our house in Hell sold and we were ecstatic to be rid of that problem... We flew out for a few days to remove our things. Unfortunately, after we returned the deal fell through because it turned out we never had clear title of it since we purchased it in 2010.... more to come on that next year, I presume.

The house we built ourselves

Once Brad's Mum returned home, sitting around in an RV in the middle of a Saskatchewan campground in 30+C (90F) temperatures for a couple of weeks while everyone we knew was working and dealing with their own stuff was incredibly boring and expensive, so we needed something to do...

Saskatchewan campground

Bing Bang Boom before you know it we were workamping in AB for a couple of months and now here we are in BC running a 50 site campground beginning January 1st. Wish us luck.

Bow Valley Campground, Alberta

Mowhinna Creek Campground, BC

Only 7 full hookup sites, so book early (after the New Year :D )

We did manage to sell our site at the Resort because I was concerned about the all the 'Canadian' Shite Trump was spewing all summer long. Made a tidy sum on it too. At least something went our way this year.

Wow what a whirlwind. This is our life. All prayers for a better year next year are welcome :D

On the up side of this year, we were able to spend time with family, old friends and new acquaintances, in no particular order...

Brent & Lisa, California

Bob & Barb, Utah

Brad's Mum

Linda & Larry, Ontario

My good son, with his wife and my 3 Grandkids

My grandkids with my other good son 

(yes, I have only 2 sons and yes they are both the good son)

Some of the Bow Valley Crew

Brenda & Phil, Alberta

Kenny and Marla, California

Tom & Bea, British Columbia

Susan & Reuben, British Columbia

Mark, British Columbia

California friends

Ray & Deb, British Columbia

Karen & Dave, California

Big thanks to you all for helping us get through this difficult year!

Switching Domains and some pics

I have decided to switch domains out of Blogger.

It may take a short while to get everything sorted out.

Please be patient if posts take awhile.

Meanwhile, here are yesterdays pics..

Three Sisters Mountain

Robbie helping Mum at work

Dawson Creek to the Left

Dawson Creek to the Right

Dawson Creek

Sibbald Lake

Boys & Girls Club at Sibbald Lake

3 days of life

With this bad internet, we have to take what we can get so I am writing a 3 day post just because the internet is working.... hope it stays that way long enough to post.

On Thursday we had a bit of a storm: I have only seen this exaggerated swooshing effect in the mountains, no idea about the science behind it but it is beautiful to see.

On Friday there was a Deer in the park, there is an abundance of wildlife around these parts. We also took a hike on Flowing Waters Trail but I forgot the camera! It was so incredibly beautiful that we will do it again just to get pics for you guys... It also rained again... everyday for several now, usually in the afternoons.

Saturday we went for a hike on one of the many trails in this park. Middle Lake Trail. 

View of Saturdays storm from the Nakoda Casino on Hwy 1 just East of Canmore

Adolescent black bear off Hwy 40, sorry about the pic but I wasn't getting out of the car - though he was across the street - I'm a wuss and okay with it.  LOL

We have heard that there has been a black bear seen in the vicinity of the park and a cougar to boot... haven't seen either as yet and hope to keep it that way. However, should we be so fortunate I will try to get a pic.

Cochrane and Calgary for Organic Meat

Once again, nothing too exciting. Since we haven't had time to really do anything since we settled in, today was off to get groceries. When we lived here before, we always went to the Calgary Farmer's Market to get Organic Meat so that is where we were headed this morning - after Brad's massage, of course.

Our neighbour Jim told us there is a Farmer's Market in Cochrane now, so we decided to check it out. We took Hwy 1A as it is far more scenic than the #1 Freeway (the 1A is the original highway through here that one would have taken back in the 70's).

Ghost lake nestled in the foothills near Morley, AB

Ghost Lake 

Boats on the hard at Ghost Lake

...and on moorings

This is a new housing development at Ghost Lake that we have been eyeing up for a couple of years already, they were just beginning it when we were here before and now it is a whole community. There are still lots for sale on the water's edge - as low as $550K - Yes, thats just the lot. Unless I win the lottery...

Cochrane Farmer's Market

Quite busy at the end of the day (closed at 1:30 today, we got there about 1pm)

Someone told me a story this morning and this made me think of that. If you read this, you know who you are.

Tons of fresh Fruit and Veg

AH Clothing Co.

Leggings galore, capri's, kids, even matchy matchy to Mum. Great little business just starting out so if your in the market, check it out.

At the Ranch where we winter, there is a rock thing going on - people painting rocks and hiding them for others to find. I didn't buy one but maybe I should have.

It was good, there were plenty of different products available but only 2 vendors for meat and then really only sausages. So off to Calgary Farmer's Market we went.... except they moved it. Much farther to go now and with both gas and meat prices these days, likely not worthwhile going that far but I will be checking the local Nutter's shop where we know they sell Organic meat here in Canmore.

View of the Mountains behind us as we left Cochrane

Made it to Calgary and finally found the Farmer's Market

1st stop, lunch. We had Shawarma from 2greekgals and it was really delicious

The place was packed. Of course, we went on a Saturday...

Expensive...

Shocked by the prices. Guess we've been gone too long. Regular meat is expensive nowadays so Organic was Yikes.

Plenty of vendors... fruits, veg

Soaps, Candles

Body warm fuzziness

You know I wasn't leaving without Chocolate! What I didn't realize is that this is my favourite chocolate - Bernard Callebaut

"My family has been perfecting the craft of making chocolate since 1911. I passionately continue the tradition with every Master Chocolat creation" - Bernard Callebaut

Olympic ski hill from the 80's

Bow River. Look closely and you can see people rafting down the river.

View of the mountains as we head home

Getting closer

...and closer, Hwy 1A is a beautiful scenic road, highly recommend. Not for BIG RIGS particularly, though you likely could... but I wouldn't - sharp drop offs and narrow hilly roads. Usually some wildlife or other makes its presence known along here also.

We saw a black bear on our first day, right here at the entrance to the park (its a massive park - so a couple of kilometers from the campsites) and usually at least a deer a day. We were just commenting today that we have seen 'something' every day since we've been here. So I'll tell you if a day goes by and we don't... OR, if I manage to get a picture! No luck so far.

There is a warning out at the moment about bears, since the berries they eat (which escape me at the moment) are out in full force, hence the bears are everywhere. While working in the backhills we have bear bells and bear spray on us, just in case. Even Robbie has a bear bell on his leash. Best to let them know your there, unless they are literally starving they will avoid you -- but only if they know your there! So bang pots, sing, yodel, whatever you have to do to make noise and ensure they avoid you.

As for internet. Those first few days we were here were terrible, and it still isn't great but I seem to have found the pattern and its working much better though still spotty - at least here at camp. In the hills there is just nothing! The signal I am linked to seems to turn on about 9am and off about 10pm Mon - Fri... Uh oh, its 10:02 now... yikes. Still working out the weekend schedule.

Unlike our previous locale (yes, still not saying), the Calgary, Canmore, Banff area are full of people who believe in being healthy so Organic is widely available in these parts. I can't speak to the rest of Alberta, though I do know that it is picking up in popularity in Saskatchewan, so perhaps its becoming readily available everywhere.

Okay 10:17pm, I've pushed my luck far enough for tonight...