DAY 13

I need to start off by apologizing to everyone.  I jumped on the "I LOVE ALBERTA" band wagon a little too quickly.  My perception of the red and white was skewed by shopping.  I need to learn to NEVER let shopping affect my judgement again.  After yesterday, I hate Albertans again. 

Yesterday began with a beautiful sunny morning, overlooking the city of Calgary.  We packed up and were BC bound.  We weren't sure how far we would get, but decided to just wing it and see how we felt. 


The drive was great since it is a 4 lane divided highway! 

Heading for the beautiful mountains!

Things were going great and the drive was beautiful.  We were about 2 minutes west of Banff when the events took a turn for the worse.  There were car fulls of Chinese tourists everywhere on the side of the highway, pulled over to take pictures.  We came upon one car, and let me remind you, were were literally about 2 minutes outside of Banff.  Banff - a community where they have gas stations and restrooms.  Anyways, we came upon this car pulled over to the side of the road.  All 4 members of the family are outside the car.  The mom and dad are standing there holding up a naked 4 year old boy while he is taking a shit on the side of the road!!!  SERIOUSLY - I don't know what they do in China, but come on people!!  Could you REALLY not wait for the first exit into Banff to stop at a gas station??  We were DISGUSTED!!  It was so completely unnecessary.  Thank god it wasn't our final image of Banff.  On to better scenery.........

I will not disgust you all with a picture of the shitting kid.....

From Banff the road got a little more narrow and a lot more twistier through the mountains.  We encountered a lot of construction through Banff and into Golden.  It is CRAZY what they are doing with the highway and how many people are involved. 

An interesting shot just east of Golden



As we were coming into Golden, we were stopped in the construction.  On the side of the road was no, not a shitting Chinese family, but a family of mountain sheep.  Or rams as Trent likes to call them.  They were right on the side of the road and I can assure you, there was no shit coming out of the smallest one's butt!! 

Cute little ram family

We choked back Sophie to stop her from barking and scaring them into running into the truck or trailer.  After the mountain sheep and Golden, we were headed for hell - or as everyone else calls it, Roger's Pass. 

Why would a mountain pass be hell, one might ask?  Let's see.......the combination of Albertans, the long weekend, Funtastic ball tournament in Vernon and the final destination of all JAFA's - the Okanagan.  It was surprising how thick the traffic was on the Wednesday before the long weekend.  Every vehicle was a JAFA and as we all know, every JAFA drives like shit.  I was AS appalled with the JAFA driving as I was with the Chinese Shitting Baby - CSB.  The traffic was car for car and the JAFA's seem to have no problem passing on a double line, on a curve, with nowhere to go and a car coming in the opposite lane.  I can't even count how many times we were almost involved in an accident because of a stupid JAFA.  And mental note to anyone out there planning to drive the Roger's Pass - DO NOT drive like a JAFA, with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth, while either texting or talking on your cell phone.  REALLY!?  Trent was white knuckling it the whole way and I was ready to pull a CSB just from the stress of it all!!

We made it through the worst and stopped in at 3 Valley Gap for a break. 

Gluten free hating Mo-Fo's!!

3 Valley Gap is just outside of Revelstoke and apparently, they aren't dog friendly.  BASTARDS!!!

No pets, but CSB friendly??!!  Come on now - at least we pick up after ours!

By this time it was pissing down rain, but I did manage to stop for a photo op with the donkey and weird mining guy!  Not sure what he's trying to get the donkey to do.........I have heard stories about sheep, but I guess with being so isolated and all, a donkey will do...........

After the photo op, we decided to stop into the restaurant for a quick bite to eat.  I scanned the menu for any Jodie appropriate items and asked if the fries or sweet potato fries were gluten free.  Of course they weren't.  Why wouldn't you coat fries in flour!?  Seriously - she did say that they had gluten free bread, but it had egg in it.  We decided to leave and eat in the trailer, rather than risk a CSB episode.  After a quick bite to eat, we were homeward bound. 

A butt load more of JAFA's were encountered and we were finally in the Okanagan.  Ahhhhhhh - the beauty of BC.  We pulled into the Sicamous Truck and RV wash to clean the prairie bugs off the truck and trailer.  I really wish I would have taken a picture and given props to this place.  The best car wash ever!!  The bays are huge to accommodate big RV's and the water was hot!  They even have showers and a laundromat if the need arises!  After our wash we were off and headed towards the beautiful Mara Lake. 

Mara Lake is one of my favourite lakes in the area.  We pulled into the Provincial Park so the girls could have a walk and a swim.  There was nobody there, so they were able to go off leash for a quick dip.

Nothing like a refreshing swim to cool off and revive!!

After seeing the CSB in Banff, Sadie was APPALLED at the "No Dogs on Beach" sign.  She didn't care.  She is a rebel so swam anyways.

It should be duly noted that even the girls didn't pee or poop at the park.  They have respect for our parks.  They just needed a dip to refresh and cool off!!  After a quick roll to dry off, we were on our way home - only another 40 minutes!  We were all VERY excited.  





Nothing like a roll on the lush grass to finish off a swim!

We finished off the last leg of our drive and found a new appreciation for the area we call home.  After seeing the flooding through the prairies and the JAFA's and CSB in Alberta, we can see why everyone heads for the Okanagan.  We are VERY lucky to live where we live and there is nowhere else in the world that we would rather call home.  Oh sweet Okanagan how we love you!!

We pulled in and parked at about 5:30 our time......oh wait.......there is no more their time!!!  We unpacked everything, had showers, made a bite to eat and were on the couch cleaning up the PVR by about 8:00.  It was great to be home.  It was even better to sleep in our wonderful bed.  Ahhhhh sweet king size.  Trent didn't punch me in the head or hit his arms or head on the side table.  We had a great vacation, but it is good to be home. 

Today we plan on doing yard work and cleaning the trailer.  That is, if Trent EVER wakes up.  Maybe I should hold a mirror under his nose to make sure he is still breathing.  If not, then I have a lot of work ahead of me. 

Once he is up, we will head out to the Farmer's Market, pick up some veggies then come home and start the work.  Oh well - we still have 5 days off to enjoy the end of our vacation!  Be sure to check back often as I WILL be continuing with the blog and keeping you updated on our oh so exciting life! 

Have a wonderful day!!



DAY 12

I fucking LOVE Alberta!!!  Seriously......What`s not to love - great shopping and IKEA!!  I am not THAT easily swayed, but I must admit that Calgary is a very pretty city and I LOVE to shop!

Our Gap bounty!!

Today we got up, cranked up the A/C for the girls, plugged in TomTom (our GPS) and were off to IKEA.  We had planned on going to an outlet mall after, but on our way to IKEA I spotted the mother load!!  Across the street was a great outlet mall with tonnes of deals!  We spent about 2 hours in the Gap Factory Outlet.  The entire store was 40% off everything!!  Even previously reduced items!  We got ALOT of stuff.  I won`t say how much we spent because it`s kind of ridiculous.  I do have to say that Trent bought 9 pairs of underwear.  Yes - 9.  They had a great sale on thong underwear.  For some reason he is wearing them backwards, but I hope he will soon figure out the right way to wear them!!  

After the Gap, we headed over to IKEA for some lunch.  For those of you who have never eaten at IKEA, this is a MUST!!  They have the BEST food and it`s so cheap!!  My favorite is the Lingon Berry juice they have on tap and FREE refills!  Can I get a HELLZ YA!!??  After lunch, we spent a couple of hours wandering through IKEA.

Yum Yum Lingon Berry in my Tum Tum!!

Yay IKEA!!

 We picked up some great deals!!  Not to mention my oh so favorite Lingon Berry jelly!  It's like cranberry sauce, but in a jar, ready to eat and OH so GOOD!!

By this time, it was going on 2:30 our time, 3:30 JAFA time.  We weren't sure what else we wanted to do, so we decided to head back towards the campground.  Since Olympic Park is right next door to us, we decided to stop in and have a look around.

Olympic Park - View from the bottom.  God forbid we are allowed a view from the top!

Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics and the park where all the events took place is still used today as a training facility.  We were kind of looking forward to checking things out and to see what kind of events and fun things they have going on throughout the summer.  We pulled into the parking lot and it was packed!  We thought, "wow - this is going to be good!!"  Trent was busy singing the theme song David Foster created for the '88 Olympics.  I am not sure what the tune is but whatever he was signing sounded more like a cross between the Chariots of Fire theme song and Rick Hansen's Man in Motion song.  Oh well - at least he was enjoying himself.  We were following a family from Colorado into Olympic Park and you could tell they were just as excited as us to be there!!  We went into the Visitor Information booth, and asked the old bird minding the desk what there was to do.  She looked at us with a blank stare.   I said, "What is there to do here, at Olympic Park?"  By this time her perfume was making me nauseous.  She still looked stunned in typical JAFA form and said, "Oh - well......we have the zip line open and really that's about it until July 1st when the bobsled opens."  At this point I realized our trip to the park was a little anti-climactic!  What do you mean there is nothing else to do!?  This is the site of the '88 Olympics woman!!  In my opinion, there is more to do at Silver Star.  Wow - what a disappointment.  We did walk through the gift shop and I tried out the bobsled.

Since I have mad skills, I am pretty sure I would come in first!

We did opt out of the ass rape they were offering.  $60 for a 20 second zip line ride from the top of the ski jump to the bottom of the hill.  Even as I am typing this, I can't believe they didn't even have the freaking chair lift open!!  Not that I would have rode it, since I have a fear of heights.....but come on people!!  There were so many people buzzing around that place pretending to work, but it didn't look like anything was being accomplished.  Typical.  We stayed maybe 15 minutes and walked out together with the family from Colorado.  Not sure how their Canadian summer vacation is so far, but I sure hope they plan on visiting BC to actually enjoy the country, rather than being eaten alive by JAFA mosquitos!

Anywho - back to the task at hand........

We got back to the trailer, took the girls for a walk and managed to FINALLY enjoy some sun and sit outside and spend the rest of the afternoon having some drinks and enjoying the scenery.

The girls sat out with us and enjoyed munching on some lovely smoked bones.  Nothing like a good bone to pass the afternoon!

 

After enjoying a lovely BBQ dinner, the bugs started to come out of hiding.  We finished our drinks, tidied up, looked through our purchases and now we have retired to the trailer for the evening.  Tomorrow we will be off and either head for home, or spend the night somewhere en route - depending on how we feel.  How gypsy like of us!!  I will be sure to keep you updated of our whereabouts.  We wouldn't want TomTom getting us lost on some back road in Utah!!

Have a wonderful night and enjoy your day tomorrow!  It's a short week, so yay!!  

LUV LUV!! 

DAY 11

Wow - Day 11.  How crazy is that!?  We STILL have another week off.  Can't wait.  This morning we woke up in Moose Jaw.  After a great sleep, the girls ate and Sophie was so excited to get on the road, that she decided to chase her tail.

Sophie enjoying her morn.....

Sadie Lou with her creepy sis in the background

Not sure what the tickets were for.......

Sadie enjoying her last few moments on the prairies

Only in Alberta will you find hay stacks wrapped as beer cans!

We fed the girls, gave them a quick love up and we were outta Moose Jaw by about 9:00 am our time, who knows what the hell time it was their time.  We had to make a quick stop at the RV place in Moose Jaw and we were on the road.  We hoped to make it to Calgary, but weren't too sure, since it was quite warm out and Calgary would be about a 7 hour drive.  That's a pretty long day for 2 girls to be cramped up in the back seat - one with a bad wheel and the other with a barking habit.  Trent battled the wind yet again, and we found ourselves stopping hourly for gas, yet again.  Oh well - it's all in great fun right!?  We stopped in Swift Current (or Speedy Creek as Trent likes to call it) for a pee, gas and coffee.  After trying not to touch anything in the disgusting bathroom at the Petro-Can we were off.  On our travels we passed a bunch of carnies.  I tried to take a picture of the bearded lady but all I got was the ticket booth.  Oh well, maybe next time!  Sadie was enjoying the scenery while Sophie was barking at the horses and cows we passed on our way to JAFA country.  As we crossed the border into Alberta, the drivers got worse and the sun got hotter.  Since we are so used to crappy, rainy weather, it was nice to see a little sun and to get some vitamin D.  I think the early stages of scurvy had started setting in.  In all efforts to ward off this nasty disease, we opened the sun roof and let the sun shine in!!  Our next stop was Medicine Hat for some gas and a visit to the local Future Shop.  We have been thinking about getting a GPS and thought that now was the time.  Since we were planning on spending some time in Calgary shopping, we figured a GPS would help us find our way around.  So......in to Future Shop we went.  I don't think it matters what province you are in.  EVERYONE who works at Future Shop is an idiot.  Sorry if YOU work there - I hope you aren't an idiot.  Anyways, after not getting any help at all - apparently the only person in the entire store who knows anything about GPS was on his break - we found one that was on sale for $57 regular $150!!  Not to mention no tax!!  Between that and the $1.11 gasoline.......

The view of the ski jumps at Olympic Park

WE LOVE ALBERTA!!  Basically from Medicine Hat on, I was busy playing with the GPS and trying to set our next destination - Calgary West Campground.  By this time, we were feeling a little hungry, so the next stop was a rest area just outside of Brooks.  We stopped for a quick bite to eat and for the girls to pee.  Of course, they were more interested in chasing birds.  What more can be expected when you are locked up in a truck for many, many hours.  Instead of taking us on the number 1 highway - the GPS had us going on a secondary highway to the RV park and avoiding Calgary altogether.  This was a great idea in theory - except for the fact that we were slowly starting to run low on gas.  After having the warning light come on, we were extremely worried that we would run out of gas somewhere.  Good thing we managed to take a side road and find a gas station.  Once we were fueled up, we were off to the park.  The RV park is located right next to the Olympic Park.  It's actually quite a nice park complete with a pool and a great view of the city.  The girls were excited to find out there was pool and asked that tomorrow when we go shopping, that we pick them up some swim caps.  The only thing is, pets aren't allowed.  Maybe we can sneak in for a late night skinny dip!!!          

WHAT!? No girls allowed!!??

View of the campground

 We arrived, setup, cooked dinner and took the girls for a walk with our evening margaritas.  We checked out the bathrooms and the laundry facilities.  Everything looked really clean.  Maybe tomorrow night we can send the girls to do laundry while we get drunk under the stars!!  Since we have a long day of shopping ahead of us tomorrow, I will have to cut this post short.  We are heading for IKEA first thing in the morning and then off to some outlets malls we have heard about.  I will have to google the stores to see what's there and make sure it's worth our time.  You know - those JAFA's tend to be a little misleading......... Have a wonderful Monday night and I will let you know how our day goes tomorrow!!  Luv, Luv to all!!

DAY 10

Look at me go!!  Blogging twice in a day.........

Yum, Yum in his Tum, Tum

OK - I am starting off by saying, honestly.......how much baking does one man need!!??  This morning we got up, packed up, organized then headed over to Trent's parent's house to pick up some baking and cabbage rolls.  After a quick visit and a bite to eat, Marlene started unloading her freezer.  I was a little bit confused as I thought perhaps she was wanting us to drop off baking at a bake sale on our way out.  Holy shit, was I wrong!!  Well, bag after bag came out of their freezer and into a cooler and our freezer.  Everything from cabbage rolls (some for me without meat!!  Thanks so much!!  <3), to homemade pizza pops, butter rolls, butter tarts and bags and bags of cinnamon buns.  OMFG - So we have a big cooler full of cabbage rolls, another cooler full of cinnamon buns and our freezer stuffed with everything else.  We were laughing and saying that if we took a wrong turn, got stuck in the middle of nowhere and had to ration our food, that not only would we survive months, but we would also be found about 50 pounds heavier!!  Needless to say, Trent enjoyed a few pizza pops for dinner tonight!!  So - we packed up the baking, said our good byes and we were off to Cindy's to hookup the trailer and leave.  Thank you again for EVERYTHING Ray and Marlene!!  We had an awesome time and a great visit!!  We got to Cindy's and packed up, said good bye to her and Nathan and were headed out for Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  Thank you again Cindy for having us and thanks for EVERYTHING - including doing all our laundry which was completely unnecessary!!  Luv, Luv to ALL!!!

We got off to a late start today.  We left Brandon at 2:00 their time, 12:00 our time.  Our initial plan was to stop at the sani-dump, but once we got there, we discovered that it was closed.  Probably due to the flooding since the picture below was taken only a few blocks from where the sani-dump is located.

Flooding as we were leaving Brandon

Sorry to interrupt, but as we speak, Trent is heating up cinnamon buns in the microwave.  I am pretty sure he is going to have to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Safely) when we get home.  Oh my - ESPECIALLY after adding all that butter.  Ok, Ok, I am jealous.........

We got on the road and decided to dump at the Co-Op in Moosmin.  We headed out of Brandon with the sun shining.  It was a great start to the long trek home.  Trent was starting to feel sleepy after about 30 minutes on the road.  Ok, maybe not as good as anticipated.  So, we barely made it to the Co-Op and stopped for a pee break, coffee break and dump break.  This is when Trent discovered that the fitting on our sewer hose was broken, therefore, it wouldn`t hook on properly.  I guess tomorrow we will have to stop and pick up a new one.  Good thing there is an RV place right down the street from where we are staying.

So.....back on the road after a quick java and all was good.  Except for the wind.  The wind today was ATROCIOUS.  We were heading into it, so it was a pretty rough ride.  We had to stop in Indian Head to fill up again.  The girls were nearly blown away in a scene from The Wizard of Oz!!!  Poor little girls........When we were driving to Brandon, we had to take a longer detour off the Number 1 Highway because there was a road closure due to water on the road.  Apparently a couple of semi trucks were driving in the dark and couldn`t tell where the road was and drove right off because of the water.  As we passed through the area where the closure was, we were trying to figure out where it was at exactly.  Then we could see.  Holy shit - there was water right up to the road!!!  It`s amazing how much flooding there is, and so close to the highway. 

Once we passed through the worst of the flooding, we were Moose Jaw bound.    The wind was still bad.  In fact, it was SO bad that it cost us about $270 in gas to drive from Brandon to Moose Jaw!!  INSANE!!  Trent`s back, shoulders and arms were sore from driving through it.  We were toying with the idea of going a bit further, but it was DEFINATELY time to stop.  Soooooo......we pulled into Moose Jaw at about 5:30 our time.  Who the hell knows what time it is, their time.  1 hour or 2 hours difference. It really doesn`t matter to us since we are still on BC time.  Would you believe there is actually a big ol`moose in Moose Jaw!! Who knew.........

A REALLY big moose and not so big plane

We are staying at the Prairie Oasis Campground in Moose Jaw.  It`s actually a pretty nice park.  They even have mini golf and a huge pool complex with a waterslide.  Now that`s good fun!! The girls wanted to go swimming, but they forgot their swimming caps at home.  Oh well - maybe next time!

The poor girls just wanted some exercise!!

Tomorrow we are westward bound.  We aren`t quite sure where we will stop.  It looks like it WILL be in JAFA country though.....so we shall see how that goes.  After some asshole walked right through our site tonight and looked in our window, it was obvious he was a JAFAMonday!!

DAY 7, 8 & 9

Okay, Okay.  I will start off by saying that I am sorry for not keeping you as updated as I should.  We have been VERY busy these last 3 days, so I have been behind on my blogging.  I will catch you up and try to be diligent about blogging each day.

DAY 7 - June 23rd

Our gratuitious pose

Where to start........Thursday morning we got up and went to Trent's parents place for breakfast.  We had a wonderful breakfast and visit and then met up with his sister Shelly and her kids and did some shopping.  Everyone went back to Cindy's house for a BBQ and so Nathan could open his grad presents.  We had an awesome BBQ with the whole family.  Trent and his dad, Ray were on BBQ duty.  There was so much food we had to have 2 grills going.

Trent's Dad Ray Minding the Grill

Trent Manning the Other Grill

After dinner, things got really exciting for the girls.  Brianna and Madison brought out an old stuffed animal for the girls to "play" with.  It was more of a massacre than anything.  Sophie had the head ripped off in about 2.2 seconds.  It was very reminiscent of the marmot incident of 2010.

Trent, Brianna and Madison Surveying the Massacre

 

 

 

After dinner, Nathan opened his grad gifts and cards and everyone had a great visit.  Poor Nathan keeps getting called Trent because they look the same.  Trent says its called good looking, but I say it`s unfortunate for Nathan!


DAY 8 - June 24th

Trent and Nathan

Friday, June 24th was grad day.  We had to be there at about noon their time, 10:00 our time, to get front row seats.  The ceremonies started at 1:30 and it was hot out, so Trent and I stayed behind to pee the girls, get some fans going and cool off the trailer.  We got there at about 1:00, just in time for the festivities to begin!  Nathan is seriously the smartest kid I know.  He wants to pursue a career in medicine.  Trent is trying to convince him to become a surgeon so he can repair uncle`s knees in his old age - AKA - next year.  Anyways, Nathan was the recipient of the Governor General`s Award, which is given to the student with the highest grade point average for grades 11 and 12.  Nathan had an average of 97.5 and graduated with the most credits ever in the history of his high school.  I think the requirement is 30 or something and he had 51 credits!!  We are all VERY proud of him!!

After grad, we went for a couple of drinks before posing for pictures.  Thanks again Ron!!  Here are a few pictures of the Appell family for you all to enjoy!!

Cindy, Ray, Marlene, Trent and Shelly

 

 

The Cousins - Brianna, Taylor, Nathan and Madison

Barry, Shelly, Ron, Cindy, Ray, Marlene, Trent, Me, Brianna, Madison, Nathan and Taylor

After pictures, we all went to the banquet for dinner.  We enjoyed a buffet dinner to the sounds of a student singing a song for the grad class and playing guitar.  I am still curious who was in charge and approved his performance.  Obviously there were no auditions held.............

After dinner we went back to Cindy`s for a beverage and a visit.  Another day gone.......Time just goes SO fast!!


DAY 9 - June 25th

This was our last day in Brandon.  We woke up, did some laundry, cleaned the trailer and left for the Farmer`s Market with Trent`s parents.  It was another hot day, so we left all the windows and vents in the trailer open to keep it cool and since Cindy was staying at home, we left the girls out in the yard.  Trent had thought we would be taking the truck, so he left all the windows and sunroof open.  We got to the market and unfortunately, it was just over.  So we ended up going out for breakfast instead.  We had a great breaky at the Komfort Kitchen and then headed out to go grocery shopping.  On our travels, the skies opened up and a horrible rain and thunder storm erupted.  Cindy called to say that the truck windows and sun roof were open and that she couldn`t find a spare set of keys in the trailer.  Trent took off running - literally and went back to close everything up.  Well, by the time he got to the truck, everything was soaked!!  The seats, the floors, everything.  Cindy managed to get the girls into the trailer before they got wet, so that was good.  At least the trailer wouldn`t stink of smelly wet dog.  Or as we like to think of it, yummy lady silk!

Trent returned, and the rain subsided and all was well.  The sun came back out and it was hot again!  Crazy weather.  When we got back, he opened up the windows in the truck to try and dry things out.  The trailer was dry too, so all was good. 

Ray and Marlene took Trent, Cindy, Ron and I out for dinner to Remingtons.  It is a steak and seafood house with a great view of downtown.  Trent enjoyed his steak, but did threaten my life, yet again. 

Photograpic evidence if the need should arise

As we were sitting and enjoying our dinner, the skies got black and the rain started pouring.  We enjoyed quite the lightening storm.  The rain was coming down so hard, it was sideways.  Trent was relieved that he had closed up the truck and only left a crack open in hopes that the truck would dry out a bit. 

Our infamous pose enjoying the lightening show!

After our wonderful dinner, we headed back to Cindys

 

Awwwww - BABY

After the storm cleanup, we hung out with the kids and Cindy for a bit before heading for bed. 

Since I am writing this Sunday morning, today we are leaving.  We are going to take our time getting packed up and ready, so hope to be on the road by noon at the latest (their time) or 10:00 our time.  Our destination - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  Trent`s bad joke of the week - The location of Moose Jaw is about 6 feet from the moose`s ass!  Ya - not so funny.  Especially when you hear it 100 times a day in typical Trent fashion.  Since the Trans Canada is still closed at Indian Head, we will have to take another detour.  Damn flooding!  After making a quick stop in JAFA country for an IKEA run, we hope to be home either Thursday or Friday, in time for the Funtastic debauchery at Kelly`s house!! 

Anyways - enjoy your lazy Sunday, and until tomorrow........... 

Day 5 and Day 6

Good Morning All, Trent Raymond Appell here....  Jodie has been very busy enjoying her vacation so she has asked that I take on the role of "Guest Blogger" to update you on our adventures over the last couple of days.  I am a blogger virgin so I hope this goes well,  here goes nothing...

YAY...No more JAFA's...

Front door view at Eagle Valley Campground

After our narrow escape from the JAFA infested campground in Sparwood ( we heard that there was a rather ugly altercation between a couple of husky, short haired "women" who share a trailer just after we left), we found ourselves safely nestled in Saskatchewan's loving and tender bosom also known as Eagle Valley Campground.  The safe haven of Saskatchewan aside, this was a lovely campground located near Maple Creek. It is themed like a tropical paradise featuring an upper and lower camping area (the lower not open due to the flooding), laundry facilities, a common area with a place to have drinks as well as a hot tub and pool.  Very nice people running it and we would definitely stay there again.  Yay Saskatchewan.
 
 

We hit the road bright and early as not to miss out on one precious breath of prairie air (I couldn't tell if it was lavendar, stinkweed or cow shit, but sweet Jesus it was delightful).  We were headed east with the ultimate destination being Katepwa beach Sask.  Many of my childhood summers were spent at this beach as my parents would often rent a cabin there for vacation.  My Uncle Donald and Auntie Judy have a cabin there and this was usually the catalyst for many of their parental shenanigans, (consisting of a card game called hand and foot and some ice slushy drink concoction...YAWN).  As the morning progressed we found out that the floods had closed down a section of the number 1 highway as well as our Katepwa campsite.  Being the adventurers that we are, we rerouted to Balcarres to meet up with the afore mentioned Donald and Judy.

After a few detours to avoid the floods and an accident, we made it to Balcarres Sask.  My Uncle Donald and Auntie Judy have lived there for over 30 years and it was great to have the chance to stop in.  

The little bugs and mosquitos however, can go straight to hell.

We were treated to a wonderful dinner theatre featuring a over-sexed female in feathers (a story for another blog) and dinner consisting of Huderite chicken, mashed potatoes, creamed cucumber salad, homemade bread, cabbage rolls, crumb cake and some amazing saskatoon pie.  Needless top say, this BC boy thoroughly enjoyed some prairie cooking after so long away.  It's nice to know that sometimes the things that you remember growing up are actually as good as you thought they were.  Thank you Uncle Donald and Auntie Judy for the great visit and delicious dinner. 

We left Balcarres around 8:30pm and continued East to Yorkton Sask.  Which just so happens to be the birthplace of this particular author.  Apparently it is Saskatchewan lore, that I was such a handsome baby, that the doctor that birthed me wanted to actually keep me...now I cannot verify the authenticity of this, but I have it on good authority that this fable is not only true, but has been shared with generation upon generation of Saskatchewan born babies. Well enough about me...we arrived late in Yorkton in yucky rain, but were able to park quickly and get to bed without too much of a hassle.  

Even though it was late and dark, we were able to see some of the sites around Yorkton.

Now this isn't quite the Bates Motel...but it's pretty freekin close.  We did not get too close to this particular venue as it has been known to pull you into a vortex of crap and slowly suck the life out of you.  Few who have entered the deathly halls have ever been the same again...

After a very quick sleepover in the birthplace of many great literary geniuses...we continued on our way to Manitoba. The road from Yorkton to Brandon is a very familiar one for me.  Almost a weekly trek on weekends with the Appell family piling into an over-packed lime yellow Buick, a whole whack of 8 tracks (including such classics as George Jones, Charlie Pride, and Patsy Cline), Mom and Dad and my 2 Sisters.  Oh yes people...it was AS fun as it sounds. Besides...there is nothing cooler than an 8 year old who knows all the words to "white sport coat" by Marty Robbins.

Unfortunately when we got to Brandon we finally got to see what everyone here has been dealing with for the last couple of months.  Flooding is still an issue and unbelievable to see first hand.  Hopefully some reprieve soon.

As mentioned on Sadie's Facebook page earlier, Sadie and Sophie were rockin the trampoline from the minute they got to Auntie Cindy's until just before bedtime.  

Seen here with cousins Nathan and Taylor.  Not pictured is Sadie's famous triple double back flip combination with a 3/4 spin-o-rama.  She was only able to perform it once due to her problem knee and we unfortunately missed getting it on camera.  Maybe next time.

We arrived to Cindy's house and promptly set up camp in the driveway.  Seen here is Blogger extraordinaire Jodie.  Jodie is trying to strike one of those sexy poses only previously seen on  those provocative Snap-On tools calendars which titillated many a teenage boy...the calendars you perverts...NOT Jodie.  

It was great to see the whole family together after almost 11 years.  Mom and Dad of course, Cindy Ron Nathan and Brianna, Shelley Barry Taylor and Madison, Myself Jodie Sadie and Sophie.  It should be a busy few days with everyone fighting over liquor, cabbage rolls and in particular, why Trent is the favorite child...(and DUH..who doesn't know the answer to that one). 

My nephew Nathan is officially graduating on Friday which is very exciting.  Although his robe color is the wrong shade of purple, I could not be more proud of him. 

Well that's about all for today.  I hope you all enjoyed my very first blog... and if we can break Jodie away from the Jesus juice for a couple of hours tomorrow, she can continue with her daily insight.  

Have a great day, Trent