July 2019

We stayed camped at the end of the air strip until the 11th of July.  During that time we went on several cruises.  Lorne took their "Arizona" tracker and John and I took their other tracker.  It was very handy.

Our first trip was the Bull River Cruise.  Now we have done this trip before but it never gets old.   The scenery is incredible.  Of course there is always the possibility of seeing the local wildlife and
were not disappointed.  There were mountain goats at Sulphur Springs and a herd of elk crossing the road not too far from the Bull River Inn.  Several deer were seen along the way as well.  Of course we had to stop at the Bull River Inn and have supper.  Marilyn and I ordered the steak and it was delicious.  What a nice way to finish off the day!!

Heather, beside the falls

Morissey Falls

Lorne and Walter

Booko by the creek

wild daisies

We did a shorter trip one day to Rocky Ridge.  Again, the fauna and flora were incredible. Later, we helped Wayne and Theresa celebrate their wedding anniversary.  We went to a restaurant called
Sushi Wood.  It was a "sushi" restaurant and neither Lorne nor John were impressed. The menu was immense and I really could not understand much of it.  It was a good thing that Theresa  knew what she was doing and we left the ordering up to her.  All in all, it was a most interesting evening!!
We did have a few quiet evenings where we settled around the campfire and simply enjoyed Lorne and Marilyn's company and hospitality.  We hit the Fernie Bar one night and enjoyed supper and beer.

Sulpher Springs

Mountain goats at the Springs

Lots of mountain goats at the Springs

Sulphur Creek which flows into the Bull River

Herd of elk crossing road infront of us

We were invited to Bonnie and Jim's one day for supper and that was delicious.  I wondered how she could top the desert she provided last weekend when she made Cherry Cake in a cast iron dutch oven over the open campfire.  Now, THAT was delicious.   Supper was awesome and it was good to see them again.   Their house has been for sale for a while now and one never knows when we go there if it will be the last time.   We even decided to have a swim in their pool while we were there.  It was a good day.  As it turned out, this was to be our last visit to their house as they were lucky enough to finalize a sale making them both very happy.

Elk River

We did a trip to the South Country and another one up the Microwave tower road.  Both trips were awesome.

Beer break overlooking Elk River

Booko having a look at the Elk River

A damn on the elk River

a crooked tree

More of the Elk River

White pine

An old homestead

Brown eyed Susan

Of course we had a few rain storms, complete with thunder and lightning while we were visiting but it was actually quite fascinating watching them roll across the valley.  We were not deterred from sitting around the campfire so out came the umbrellas.

What's a little rain??

Booko NOT impressed with the rain

Elk, on the air strip

Sitting at the bar in Lorne and Marilyn's log house

Poppy, needing some attention!!

more wild flowers

One of the many ponds we encountered on one of our rides

More wild flowers

buzzards

Booko chillin after a long day

more elk

more wild flowers

elk on air strip

heading back to Saskatchewan

All too soon, we were headed home (or so I thought).  The British Columbia scenery gave was to the awesome scenery of Alberta.  The first night was spent at the MeGillivray Staging Area in the Crowsnest Pass.  We have been there before and it is always nice to return.

first night campsite - McGillivray  Staging Area in
Crowsnest Pass

Our second night was spent along the Forest Trunk Road in the Sundrie Alberta area.   It is always nice along the trunk road but you could sure see tons of mud and puddles from the recent rains.

bridge repairs

Eventually, we ended up (much to my surprise) at Deb and Ed's cabin (John's cousin and his wife).  I had no idea we were going to stop there and we totally lucked out as Ed was off work and they decided to spend time at their cabin.  They have been busy over the last few years with the build and the landscaping and it was lovely.  We spent a few days with Deb and Ed then once again, headed for home.

Beers at Ed and Debbie's cabin

beautiful lawn

Inside the cabin

Another of John's classic bonfires

We stopped at the farm before heading back to Leoville as I had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon about my hip.  As it turned out, I was put on the urgent list for replacement of my left hip and the elective surgical list for replacement of my right hip.  With that being done, I was hoping to have surgery within eight weeks for the left hip and within 12 -14 months for the right one.  Now that would be an awesome thing.
Finally, on the 20th, we made it home to Leoville.  We had been away for a month and it was sooo good to be home.  The weather apparently had been mostly rain while we were gone and the garden had gotten away from the woman I had given it to and it was so full of weeds I couldn't believe it.  It was a damn nightmare and I was sooo very sad to see it.   I'm not sure she will ever get any produce from the garden now.  It looked like it needed to be rototiller under!!
The rest of July was pretty quiet with the occasional rain storm and a few beer cruises down the North Road to exercise the dog.
Jace and Kimmy stopped by on their was to the lake.  They are about to start their holidays and were anxious to get out there.  I had made some bush pie filling and they were happy to take that with them.
Casey and Marissa stopped by on their way to the lake as well.  They were going to spend a few days there too.  Kelly and Kayton came for a couple of days.  They slept in the fifth wheel.  It was good to have a chat with them too.
All in all, it was a good but busy month.   John got me out of the yard and kept me busy and by the time I did get back home, I was generally feeling better.
Life is Good!!