Kananaskis Finally

This literary masterpiece could also be titled "Snow. snow, snow Rain, rain, rain". However if I can recall the past month or so our experiences were as follows....Our departure from Osoyoos was somewhat bittersweet as we left summerlike temperatures and cherry blossoms and headed for good old Alberta. Others from the park who left before us reported road closing blizzards and minus 30 degree cold. We, on the other hand, kept delaying as reports of winter conditions continued. Finally on April 24 we set out, spent a night alongside friends in Enderby, then travelled through constantly changing conditions along the TransCanada, tempted at times to pull over and wait it out. Perseverence paid off as the weather cooperated enough to allow us to turn south onto the no. 40 for the last leg of our journey and into Kananaskis Country. It seems no matter how many times you see them the mountains are always breathtakingly beautiful,especially when you're as close as the 40 brings you to their base. Fresh snow, unbelievably white glistened in the sunlight. Numerous deer, sheep and occassional elk grazed by the road and we began to realize we were home....at least for the next five months. Pulling into the park we were surprised at the amount of snow still ligering from winter storms. At least 3 feet covered the ground except where it had been cleared to accomodate our motorhome. After a warm greeting from the boss we settled in among the trees. Next day my marching orders were given...clear snow (3 feet remember) drom the camping sites. I had envisioned shovelling and wondering if I would be buried in the mountains but, happily, was informed that I would be the designated skid-steer operator. The job had already begun as one of the eight camps had been cleared. That left about six hundred sites yet to be cleared. This little task took the better part of a week and we had no sooner finished when we were unceremoniously dumped on by another 3 feet of snow. Thus began the job all over again. Since opening date was quickly approaching there was a sense of urgency to the task. To our amazement campers actually settled in among the huge piles of snow and the seemingly endless skiffs that were a daily occurence. Just when we wondered if the snow would ever end the rain began. Steady rain for more than a week has become a bit dreary and still today we see high stream warnings along the eastern slopes. Although Nan's main job is to man the store and therefore is mostly under cover I on the other hand have come home soaked.
When we arrived we were informed that we would not be full time camp managers after all but rather on the maintenance crew. At first we thought we may be getting the short end of the stick but soon discovered the change was in our favour.We do get our share of managing when we fill in for those on days off and are happy that we don't have to make the camp tours at all hours let alone confront unruly campers. So...realizing that the wheel has turned our way, Nan is happy to meet the public in the store and I am happy to operate equipment...Skidsteer, forklift and pickertruck. It's very interesting to take part in the behind the scenes operation of a large camp ground. As yet, the main camping season has not arrived and we've been assured that things get pretty hectic when that happens.
On our 2 days off ( usually mon. and tue.) we,ve had to drive into Calgary, about an hour and a half one way, but this week we've managed to stay home . With gas at its present price it's a welcome change. Hope this finds you all well and we extend the invitation to you all, if at all possible, to drop in and visit. Remember our only means of communication is the internet so contact us first. Also feel free to write us...we'd love to hear from you. For those who care, Benson has adapted well but would rather spend more time outside. Hopefully when it warms up.
Hope this finds you all well and happy.
Dave, Nan and Benson

Attempting to Leave Osoyoos

With mixed feelings we pack up our gear and make plans for pulling up stakes. Mixed in that we feel our time in Osoyoos has passed far too quickly; we have yet to experience the 30 degree weather the brochure promised; we will be parting from good friends we have acquired versus anticipation of returning to the area we consider home. Our plans were to be in the Kananaskis the middle of April but Ian (park manager) advised we postpone our return as temperatures were not yet conducive to RV living. Since March was so hectic we readily agreed to spend a few more days in Nk'mip and aimed instead for the 20th. Now we see that the eastern slopes are experiencing an Ian Tyson spring..."another winter storm comes rolling in". A foot of snow is in the forecast and as of this morning has already begun to fall. Ian again has advised we consider waiting out the storm which certainly is the sensible thing to do. Now we are aiming for Tuesday unless the report advises otherwise. Stay tuned for further developments.

Winter in Osoyoos

Due to overwhelming demand (two or three inquiries as to our whereabouts) we are continuing the reporting of our exciting saga ....Life in a Motor home, Adventures with Benson or some other dramatic title. So here goes... The New Year finds Osoyoos gripped in the icy grasp (or is it grasped in the icy grip)of winter. During the night the temperature dropped to -10 leaving a film of ice on the lake giving us sole access to the beach. The directionally challenged geese, ducks and coots are sitting huddled on the ice in tight groups probably saying to each other, "this isn't what the brochure said". We're discovering that Osoyoos, like so many other places, is unpredictable as far as weather prediction is concerned. Locals say this winter is warmer than last yet some report that past winters never experienced frost. Yesterday I heard that in earlier years ice was harvested from the lake and stored in a huge ice house for summer use. So I guess we shouldn't expect continuous sunshine and sweltering temperatures regardless of the area's claim to be Canada's only desert. Upon arrival here at the Nk'mip (pronounced ink a meep) we were impressed with the spacious grounds, huge weeping willows, paved lanes and proximity to the beautiful lake. Some may feel that was only a ploy to suck us in but having settled in we find there are pluses regardless of the bare trees, the icy roads and cold wind blowing off the water. We have access to a inside heated pool, hot tub, club house and, close at hand, a delightful little town with all amenities including, to my delight, a grand old building housing painter and potter facilities with room for me to do my sculpting. I had started carving in a tent we set up beside the bus but the novelty soon faded as the temperature dropped. The art building, which also houses a gallery, was the original RCMP offices, living quarters and cells. Aside from the obligatory Tim Horton's there are numerous coffee shops,restaurants and dollar stores. Weekends offer flea markets while any time one can travel the winding back roads through orchards and over rugged picturesque hills and valleys. The scenery is very unique as the surrounding hills (some say mountains)are like huge rocks with a few tenacious trees gripping crevices on impossible angles. You have to wonder how much moisture they get but the trees are obviously healthy. Strange bushes, straggly grass and many varieties of thorns and cacti cover the sandy soil behind the park so it is expedient that one stay on the trails, as Benson soon discovered. Aside from waterfowl many deer, coyotes and those endearing little California quails parade through the park. The quail are queer little birds who march(run) in tight formation with their funny waddle feathers bobbing in front of them, also known as little soldiers. Nan, of course, is feeding the birds...many colorful varieties like we used to see in Waiparous. With Nan's sewing and my sculpting we're usually pretty busy and don't always attend functions available to us.
March will find us heading for Calgary...mostly for medical reasons though it will be great to see many of you again. Should we not see you then be assured that we often think of you and look forward to our next meeting. Til then...love to all.
Dave, Nan and Benson