8/30/12 BENZANSON, ALBERTA CANADA

We left Dawson Creek just after noon and drove about 160 miles toward Edmonton.  Norm wanted a short driving day today. After we drove through Grande Prairie we started looking for a hidey hole (boondocking spot).  Now that we’re getting into more populated areas this won’t be as easy to do.  The Mile Post does not cover anything south of Dawson Creek, so all we have for information now is the Atlas. I saw a little tent symbol in the Atlas (there are many).  One looked interesting, appears to be camping, probably primitive camping since it did not list a name of the camp site.  We turned down a paved road that soon turned into gravel.  After 5 miles it turned into larger gravel making it a bumpier drive.  We took it slow and went another couple of miles making a few turns here and there and here we are.  Our new secluded hidey hole.  This campground is located in the Old Bezanson  town site.  It makes a loop with about 20 back in sites.  When we left Dawson Creek we drove out of forest land.  We’re in flat farm land with few trees from here to the border.  We were surprised after we drove about 7 miles down this gravel road that this campground is in a grove of tall Aspens.  Very tall.  Not good for Aurora viewing but very nice.  The looped road around the campground is somewhat narrow with lot’s of trees and brush close to the road.  Not big rig friendly.  Our 25 foot was probably about the maximum size, along with our really long crew cab long bed truck.  Norm was instantly in love with this place.  It’s $10 a night, no hook ups, and no instructions as to where to pay.  It seems deserted out here but we can tell someone is keeping the place up.  LOTS of free firewood at each site.  Norm built a nice fire and we sat around it in a trance, not believing how beautiful this place is.  The wind blew at the tops of the Aspens, rustling the leaves.  Awww, this is nice.  Norm never wants to leave.  We did have a truck drive through last night. We thought it was someone coming to collect our rent.  Turned out to be a couple from Grande Prairie just out for a drive and decided to come check this place out.  They had heard of it but never been out.  They had a huge black dog named Max.  We had a good chat with them. I asked him about the Aurora and he said they do see it from this area.  He grew up in Yellowknife and talked about seeing the lights up there. I had heard that was as excellent area since it’s in the “Aurora Zone”.  Last night I got up a few times to check for the Aurora.  Not much visibility with the tall trees here, no lights to be seen.  I can’t believe how dark it is out here, and quiet.  If it weren’t for the full moon I wouldn’t have been able to see my hand in front of my face.  The moon was so bright and beautiful; I couldn’t get over how close it seems to earth.  And it shined so bright its light filtered through the Aspens making interesting shadows through the trees, very beautiful.  We’ll go exploring on foot today and stay one more night.  The weather is getting warmer, upper 60’s/low 70’s during the day.  The nights cool down, not sure what that temp is, but not real cold.  We dread getting into the hot weather the further south we go. 

 

8/31/12 SPRUCE GROVE, ALBERTA CN

Yesterday we hiked around our wonderful camp area on foot.  This is a historical site about the town of Bezanson.

There is a hiking trail that has few signs along the way about homes or businesses here in the old town site of Bezanson.  Unfortunately there are no remnants left behind.  Someone erected a monument about two pioneer women in this area.  The story goes they were sisters.   One died on Christmas day during childbirth.  The sister took a buggy in minus 30 degree weather to the nearest cow (to get milk for the baby, named Frank) quit some distance.  She and another woman raised baby Frank.  I can’t wait to research the history on this old town site.  We hiked a good while before returning to camp, started a fire and relaxed a bit before cooking dinner.  Another RV came in and camped on the other side of the campground.  We will surely miss this place, but will fondly remember forever. 

Today we got an early start (for us, 9:15a.m.) and drove a bit further than Norm likes in one day.  We checked out several campgrounds along the way but didn’t like any of them.  We are camped at Wal-Mart for the night.  There are about 6 RV’s here and it’s a busy, busy place. 

9/1/12 FT. MACLEOD, ALBERTA, CN

Our night at Wal-Mart last night turned out pretty good.  Traffic died down late at night and it was very quiet for sleeping.  This morning I did a little shopping in the store and we quickly got on the road.  Norm was up to driving further than he normally likes.  We ran into a lot of rain and some large hail south of Calgary and the wind picked up.  Just short of Lethbridge, Canada Norm was ready to look for a place to stay the night.  We found Buffalo Plain Rv park which was 7 miles off the highway. A bit further than we like for a quick overnight but they all seem to be at least that far.  We got here and are unimpressed.  But Norm is tired and doesn’t want to drive on so we took their last spot.  Only has 15 amp electric and water.  The water is so far away from our hook up we didn’t even hook that up.  The Electric was just as far but Norm used an extension cord.  It’s windy as hell here, rocking the trailer violently at times.  I hate it here.  I’d rather be in a Wal-Mart parking lot.