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