Week ending July 17, 2013

Thursday we moved to Meadow Lake. Camping at the Lions Campground, by the golf course.   Easy satellite finding as we back on to the 15th hole.  We finally took the truck for a wash and read all our information received at the campground office which also doubles as the town tourist information office. After a wander down main street we headed back to our campsite. Of course we also watched the football game and the Roughriders are starting the season in fine style.

 

The Friday morning farmers market, located at the tourist info/campground office had some fruit as well as fresh vegetables for sale. Nice to get new potatoes, beets, radishes, and onions. So much tastier than those from the grocery store. The afternoon was spent walking downtown to the co-op grocery store, on the hunt for some french vanilla coffee. There was none to be found, but the walk which took about 2 1/2 hours was good for  us.

 

Saturday was spent exploring the area to the east of Meadow Lake Provincial Park and then the park itself. As we drove up highway 903 we saw our first black bear of the season. 

 

We stopped at a little lake just outside the park and then at Waterhen Lake. It is far too large for us to venture out in our little boat. We then drove through some campgrounds for future reference, - Not to our liking. The map showed a little lake (Second Mustus Lake), First and Third Mustus Lakes are quite large, which we though we would investigate.  The trail in to the lake made us believe that no one in their right mind would take a boat in, so it should be quiet.  Well where we wrong.  There was a line up of people towing boats waiting to unload them.  Very odd situation. We also came to the conclusion that deer in the park are much smarter than those we had previously encountered as they stood quietly on the side of the road, rather than trying to cross the road in front of vechiles. On our way back to Meadow Lake we drove through Rapid View, the home of chuckwagon driver Jerry Bremner, but of course he was busy at the Calgary Stampede.  Later that night, we saw that he was in the finals, but didn't win. 

 

Monday was an educational day.  We drove to  Steele Narrows, the last location that fighting took place during the Riel Rebellion.  Again the Middleton name appears, not necessarily in a  positive light.   

 

After visiting Steele Narrows Provincial Park, we visited Makwa Provincial Park, took a quick drive through one of the campgrounds, the majority of sites appeared to be too short for our trailer. On our way back to the trailer we drove through Loon Lake, the home of Ray Mitsuing,  another well known chuckwagon driver.

 

After a walk through town, checking, but not using,  the bowling alley and the hardware store we stopped for lunch at the Nor'wester Motel's restaurant.  It was very busy, and the food was quite good. 

 

Wednesday we drove back to Makwa Provincial Park, as we thought we should check out the main campground there, as a prospective spot to return to on another trip.   Might be a little difficult to get satellite signal through the trees, but otherwise, not a bad spot.   We spent an hour or so sunning on Jumbo Beach, next to the Park.