Well, we embarked on our adventure westward, cruising down the Coal Camp Road to set up camp along the picturesque Red Deer River. It was a picture-perfect spot to set up camp! Our week was filled with quad rides and strolls through the hills, but despite our efforts, we only managed to catch a glimpse of a few deer. As for the elusive elk, they must have pulled a disappearing act because there wasn’t a sight of them anywhere in the vicinity!
Things took a hilarious turn on Friday afternoon when I stumbled upon a massive bear print in the muddy terrain. Lo and behold, come Saturday morning, Mr. Bear was in the back of my truck, eyeing up my prized mule deer head that I needed to send to the government. Talk about unexpected guests! Thankfully, our decision to sleep in and pack up early spared us from a potential grizzly encounter. Imagine the chaos that would’ve ensued if we had been face to face with a curious bear on a Saturday morning!
Despite the unexpected wildlife shenanigans, we had an absolute blast camping, quad biking, hiking, and hunting. It’s safe to say that this adventure will be etched in our memories for years to come, with plenty of laughter and stories to share!
It was an eventful day, but I finally got him – a magnificent 4 x 3 mule deer buck in Hehr’s. Our pursuit began when we spotted him at 9:30 in the morning on land we couldn’t hunt, so we patiently waited for his move. He darted back and forth across the coulee, presenting a challenging target. After several attempts, I managed to take seven shots before he finally stopped and succumbed.
Although Matthew had the chance to take a shot, he opted to let me handle the situation, which led to a bit of a scramble. Now the buck is skinned and hung up, awaiting our attention tomorrow. After dealing with him, our next adventure awaits as we plan to venture west of Sundre in search of a bull elk.
Exciting news this year as I’ve been drawn for mule deer hunting around the farm! Our strategy is to set up camp in the yard and head out on the first day to bag my tag. We’re starting our adventure on Friday after work, intending to stay until my tag is filled, or at least that’s the plan.
Once my tag is secured, we’re contemplating either assisting John with his moose hunt or possibly venturing west of Sundre for a bull elk. The decision will be made on the spot, depending on circumstances and opportunities. Regardless of the choice, we have a full week of vacation ahead, and we’re determined to make the most of every moment!
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.
Such an amazing day!!
Amazing views to the WestAw…So NiceMonday Morning WakeupChilly MorningBeautiful River in the background
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!
Once again my roses are doing incredibly well. The summer has had a lot of rain which has made the flowers look amazing!!
I continue to go to the farm every weekend to mow and weed whack. The rain keeps the grass growing and yards looking green. Mom and Dad continue to limit their outings due to the Covid.
Well, where do I start? Let’s start with my Mom and Dad, so they are staying under lock down in their condo in Airdire!! Only going to the farm a couple times a week leaving the mowing and weed whacking to me to do for the summer. Every weekend I have been heading down to look after the yard. Sometimes ending with a few beers with a bro or two. With all that my parents have done for me this is a easy way to slowly return the favor. MINOR!! I must say I have really enjoyed it!! Shooting clay pigeons, watching the old man shoot his crossbow or just visiting over a beer. Even one day ending with Henry drinking some Red Wine Vinegar!! It can’t get any better than that for sure!!
The Covid-19 virus still has us in her grips with NO end in sight. Were all suffering with the New Normal.
Here we are starting the summer of 2020 and things have really changed. Most if not all restaurant’s and bars have been shut down by the provincial government!! WOW, things are scary and may never go back to the way they were. I never thought that I would see the day when a virus would have such a hold on us, our economy, our world as we knew it. Airline travel is down to minimum, the USA / Canadian is shut down and things are far from under control. Thousands of cases in the USA and Alberta, well were about 100 every 3 days or so. Sanitizer’s are now in every vehicle that I drive!! Wiping down gas station pumps, shopping carts and pretty much everything that we touch. We all have to do our part and maybe we can keep our numbers down until there is a vaccine.
Well here we are, 2 weeks into a Social Distancing realization!! This virus is spreading like crazy and we all have a part in trying to control it. Limited outings to grocery stores with constant cleaning of everything around us. At work, we are all home-based with one person per vehicle. Dining options are takeout only!! Wow, I can’t believe this is really happening. LET’S ALL DO OUR PART AND STOP THE SPREAD
Well this week has been brutally cold!! Many evenings below -40 or -50 with the wind chill. Spent a few nights out making sure houses were warm. So glad this doesn’t happen very often. Warmer times ahead in the forecast…
When I received the call confirming the 65th birthday party, I was filled with excitement and determination to make it a truly memorable day. I decided to add a personal touch by offering to create decorations for the tables. Armed with vinyl designs and sayings, I embarked on the task, only to face the challenge of vinyl that refused to stick to the tablecloths, making the job more difficult than anticipated.
I am deeply grateful for Joanne’s and my kids’ patience and understanding as I tackled the challenge of placing every vinyl piece on the tables. Their unwavering support and cooperation were instrumental in transforming potential frustration into a successful and visually captivating addition to the party. A heartfelt thank you goes out to them for their invaluable contributions and steadfast encouragement throughout the entire process!
The day unfolded into an extraordinary celebration for Mom and Dad. The food exceeded expectations, perfectly complemented by our ideal venue that struck the right balance of space – with outdoor tents for smokers and ample room indoors for lively conversations without crowding.
Marianne’s impeccable touch added elegance to the event, with her exquisite centerpieces finalized just as 2pm approached. As the last piece was set, guests began to arrive, starting with the warm presence of Uncle Jim, Auntie Eileen, and their daughter Tamara. Soon after, our friends from the Calgary Stampede joined, filling the air with laughter and camaraderie.
As friendly conversations flowed, the ladies gracefully unveiled the sumptuous feast, prompting an almost synchronized entrance of Ken, Karen, and their kids, followed by Jim, Liette, and their little ones. It felt as though there was a public announcement signaling the readiness of the food!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to making this day exceptionally special for Mom and Dad. Your efforts and presence made it a truly unforgettable celebration. Well done, indeed!
After a delightful lunch, it was time for the much-anticipated heartfelt 65th Anniversary Video tribute. We hope you’ll enjoy it and share it with your families as a cherished keepsake of this special occasion.
I have proven that you can grow long stem ref roses in Alberta!
It’s a common belief that roses 🌹 don’t thrive with too much water. However, with a summer that blessed us with rain almost every day or every other day, my roses surprised me by flourishing beautifully. I couldn’t be more thrilled with how well they’ve done under these conditions. It’s been truly rewarding to see my efforts pay off in the growth and health of these roses.
Looking ahead to next year, I’m already planning to make them even bigger and better. That means more fertilizer, ample water, and a bit of strategic pruning with silicone (yes, silicone – it’s crucial for sealing the stems after cutting). The amount of work involved might seem daunting, but every minute spent tending to these roses has been absolutely worth it! 😁
Today I spent the day on Gull Lake with the grandchildren and their uncles!! Wow!! 31 degrees and very little wind 😁 such a beautiful day with the kids!!
❤️Such an amazing and memorable day!! Thank you boys for taking care of the little ones!! ❤️
Today, we laid Melissa to rest beside her sister in the peaceful Horn Hill Cemetery. Surrounded by loved ones, we bid her farewell with heartfelt words, knowing that our paths will cross again someday.
As we made our way to the cemetery, I decided to give Melissa one last ride in the Corvette, a tribute to her love for speed and thrill. I can only hope that she enjoyed it, especially the three burnouts and the dark, lasting imprints they left on the pavement. These memories will forever remind me of this bittersweet day.
Following the cemetery service, we returned to the acreage for a heartfelt family supper. Initially, we attempted to dine outdoors, but Mother Nature had other plans, sending us scurrying indoors as the weather turned unruly. Despite the change of scenery, we gathered around the table and shared a wonderful meal together, cherishing each other’s company and creating cherished memories.
