Aug 31 - Sep 5, 2nd Annual Ross Lake Group Camp

Aug 31
It was strange to wake up in our house! We own a fabulous king bed and I slept like a rock. We can make coffee and we can have a bathroom each!! Yayyy. Obviously we had a great start to the day. Leslie threw the sheets in the wash and I ran a vacuum over the floors and now it becomes Derek & Devan's problem for a few months. Treat it like you don't own it boys! lol.
We stopped at Sobeys and Wholesale Club in Bonnyville to stock up a few things for the weekend. Ron & Shelley will meet us on the east side of town and we'll drive out together. Kent & Rachelle and the Mckinnon's will be not long behind us.

We are in Group site H

Great trails and lots of sites

We pulled into the group site H and took the same spots as last year. It works good to have us on the end and Rachelle and Kate with awnings together. They make a ton of food together and it's fabulous.

Ron & Shelley

Leslie & me

Dave & Kate McKinnon / Kent & Rachelle awnings close to protect the food

We all really like this site for it's great location beside the lake and all the amenities that come with it. We have potable water onsite, a 3 sided shelter with lights and receptacles for movie night and 3 mens/3 ladies pit toilets that are clean as can be.

Rachelle/Kate set up movie nite for the kids in here

self explanatory

There is also a walking trail that does a loop around behind our site and it's great for bikes or walking. There was a couple bear droppings so we sent the kids out first while we were drinking beer. C'mon I'm kidding!! We weren't drinking beer ;) . lol

Once everybody was set up we all gathered for that beer I mentioned. We don't see everyone much all summer so this is a great chance to catch up. Almost forgot to mention that because Leslie didn't plant a garden this year we don't have the tons of fresh veggies like usual. Well Kate took care of that problem big time ! She asked on Facebook if anyone needed vegetables and Leslie said yes Holy smackdown! We shared with Ryan/Ashtyn & Ron/Shelley there was so much. Thanks Kate!

Dinner is all planned for tonight. Kent spent half the previous night smoking and tending to a 14 pound brisket. Shelley made home-made potato salad, Kate added home-made brown beans and a cucumber salad. Leslie and I made garlic/cheese biscuits for our contribution plus some cabbage rolls. Well I'll tell you everything was fantastic! The brisket tasted amazing and cut with a plastic fork and the whole meal was so good I went back for seconds.

My first plate! Brisket smothered in beans omg.

Shortly after dinner Leslie and I drove out to the highway to meet Ryan & Ashtyn. They had to work and then go grab their trailer from storage and drive from Edmonton to Ross Lake. About 2 1/2 hours of driving but they made it. We got them backed in to a site before it got dark. Bad news was their propane regulator and tank switch is broken and leaking. No heat or hot water for them tonight and it's cold! We can get parts tomorrow in Lloydminster. We saved them a plate of dinner each and then we all gathered around the big fire pit for a few drinks. Kids, dogs and adults all really enjoyed the night.

Sept 1

On this day I always look up and say a few words to my old buddy, Gord Claybert, that tragically passed away in a snowmobile accident. Today is his birthday. I will always remember you and this day my friend.

Everyone comes out of their rigs as they wake up and get coffees going. Ron already finished breakfast but he always gets up early anyway. There is preparations for a big breakfast over at Rachelle & Kate's rigs. They have 2 of the monster Coleman cook stoves and can make a lot of food in a hurry. Another great meal, thanks you two. The kids keep busy on their bikes and running around and the rest of us can do whatever we want.That's another great thing about a closed site.a closed site.

The other dogs trying to figure what Kirby is ?

With Ron's help, Ryan and I got to work removing his gas regulator. Kent & Ron are going to Lloyd anyway today and they will grab the new one. Perfect. Should have heat and a stove by this afternoon. When the boys left a bunch of us decided to go for a walk to check things out. 

Rachelle & I with Margaret and Hunter

Ashtyn getting pulled by Kirby! & Ryan. Les was the photographer.

Shortly after we got back Lisa, Kyle, Calvin, Drew & Thomas all showed up. Chanelle and John also stopped in for an extended visit. Drew and Thomas are passing by and only stopping for a visit but Lisa & Kyle ended up staying overnight with their trailer.

L to R: Kate, Drew, Thomas, Ron, Chanelle, Lisa (not looking) Carly

Same crew, too many to list

We were all sitting around visiting when a random car showed up and just drove through the site, somebody left the gate open. Ron volunteered to go close it.

His other bike is 1700 cc's lol

Ron had also volunteered to make a big pot of chili for Saturday supper and it was fantastic! We put that together with coleslaw, kale salad and garlic toast. So good! Nobody goes hungry, that's for sure.

Earlier in the day Rachelle had hung a white sheet for the movie screen. Tonight is movie night! The feature is Rampage starring Dwayne Johnson, a good flick for everybody. The kids like all the animals and it was good for grown ups too. I liked it anyway. Kate and Rachelle do up treat bags for the kids and popcorn for everybody. It's a really nice way to spend a couple hours wrapped up in blankets in the lawn chairs and watch a movie. After the movie we sat by the fire for a nightcap. Shortly after it was bedtime.

Sept 2

Today is a beautiful sunny day with a high of 20C/68F. We got out the ladder ball game, bean bags game, cards and giant Jenga. Kate made the Jenga game. I swear her and Rachelle could give Martha Stewart a lesson.

Ryan, Ashtyn, Les and Katelynn

Of course there was more food. Everybody put in a snack and it ended up being a feast.

Margaret praying for someone to drop something

Ashtyn & Ryan brought their Margarita maker and I saw Ashtyn doing several trips to their rig?? Nobody was unhappy over at their table lol. Coincidence? Don't think so. We even got in some kayaking thanks to Ron & Shelley for supplying the boats.

Rachelle, me and Leslie

So nice and calm

Kent and Kate brought out a target and their bows too. They were giving lessons. A few us took a shot at it. Ryan did good for a first try and the rest of us at least hit the cube.

Les had a tough time with the pull

Kate teaching Ashtyn

Sporting my Sacramento Walmart swim shorts, saweet !

After a full day of play we all went back to our own rigs and ate whatever we brought. No big potluck tonight. Ryan & Ashtyn joined us for burgers and smokies on the barbecue. After supper we all gathered for a big fire. When Dave McK loads a firepit he doesn't fool around! By 11pm most everyone had called it a day and retired for the night. Great day.

Sep 3

The forecast is for rain and it was right. Leslie heard it raining about 4am and when we woke up around 8:00 it was coming down pretty good. Ryan packed up his trailer early in the rain and headed back to Edmonton. Back to the storage yard for winter. Dave & Kate along with Kent & Rachelle packed up soon after. We went out and gave everybody hugs and handshakes as this will be the last we see them until April. Kind of sad in a way. Ron & Shelley and Les & I waited until the rain had almost stopped. We had a pot of tea before we packed up. Still got pretty wet but not as bad as earlier. 

Last to leave, only a 45 minute drive to home.

We pulled out about 1pm for our house in Bonnyville. I want to mow the grass one last time and we are grabbing a few more things to take with us on the road. Derek and Devan are working nightshift while we are there. Les and I are parking in the driveway and hooking up to water and 30 amp on the garage. Now this is weird! We camped in our driveway while the fellas stayed in the house! Just seemed weird is all.

Sept 4 & 5

We stayed in the driveway and worked on the yard and did lots of errands that needed to be done before we leave for the winter. I did the mowing and weed whipper while Leslie cleaned her flower beds and cleaned out the last of the stuff we want to take. That's the last time we have to do that chore this year thankfully. The neighbours girls will cut the grass when it needs it and the boys have the house to themselves. See ya Bonnyville! Going to miss lots of things but won't miss another winter and -40 temps, not even a little bit. With more weird feelings and maybe a little sadness we pulled out of our driveway and headed for Seba Beach to finally finish that garage project.