
When I received the call from John and Pops a week ago inviting me for a crossbow hunting trip, my immediate response was a resounding YES! The idea quickly evolved into a weekend camping escapade, and I wasted no time in preparing our fifth wheel for the adventure. Fortunately, the timing aligned perfectly as I had the next week off from work.
With excitement bubbling, I wrapped up a short workday on Thursday and hit the road, eager to begin our outdoor journey. Although I invited Joanne to join for the weekend, she declined due to concerns about the cold weather and not wanting to idle around camp. Undeterred, I discovered a fantastic spot along the Red Deer River that I decided would be our home for the next few days.
Setting up camp, gathering firewood, and unwinding with a drink by the fire felt like a breath of fresh air, reconnecting me with the joy of camping out west. The following Friday morning brought a bit of confusion as John and Pops were unsure of my exact campsite location, resulting in a two-hour drive for them. After a comical encounter where we missed each other on the road, we finally reunited at the camping area, ready for a day of quad biking and possibly some Elk hunting.
Despite a few hiccups, like John forgetting his gloves and a brief detour back to the truck, the day kicked off with an exhilarating wildlife sighting – a cow elk followed by a majestic bull crossing our path. The sight left us in awe, especially Dad, who had the chance to witness a magnificent bull elk.
Amidst sharing stories of our unexpected wildlife encounter, we embarked on a full day of riding, enjoying campfires to warm up, and soaking in the breathtaking views along the way. Despite covering a total of 40 miles on our quads, Dad never once complained, making the day even more enjoyable and memorable.






After bidding farewell to Dad and John on Friday night, I had a lingering doubt that they might not return, fearing we may have pushed Pops too hard with a lengthy day out, especially as the weather took a colder turn in the forecast. As expected, I woke up somewhat late on Saturday, rustled up breakfast, and geared up for a day of riding, expecting to spend it solo.
As I was about to leave camp, I was flagged down by a group from Calgary asking where they could find firewood, shockingly admitting they didn’t bring a chainsaw. With surprise written all over my face, I quipped, “Oh, I’ll be back!” Heading into the forest, I quickly located a standing dead tree, a decision made easier by the fact that one of them had visited my camp the previous night, sharing stories about their trip and fireworks display. I felled the tree, hauled it back to their camp, only to find out that the person who needed the chainsaw had never used one before! Fortunately, his buddy stepped in to help, and I made a swift exit before any mishaps occurred.
Before I could ride off, they graciously invited me to join them for a turkey fry later that evening, given it was Thanksgiving. “Okay!” I agreed, before heading back to my camp. After a chilly day of riding, I returned to find their firewood neatly chopped without any injuries, much to my relief. I enjoyed a quick beer with them before retreating to my camp to freshen up and park the quad for the night.
Little did I expect that I would have such an incredible time with Tim, Leanne, Warren, Jen, Kate, and Jake, even if only briefly. The turkey was delicious, the drinks were flowing, and the camaraderie was unmatched. Of course, the next morning’s hangover was less than delightful – I hadn’t slept until noon in ages!
After they departed, I endured a few chilly nights with the furnace working overtime, prompting me to conclude that camping alone in the fall and winter wasn’t worth the hassle. Tuesday morning, I packed up and headed home, reflecting on a weekend packed with unforgettable moments. And in just two weeks, I’ll be gearing up for another adventure – this time, hunting with Matthew. Can’t wait!