Thursday, May 31, 2018

Back on the road again!

I think it’s been a while since I last updated the blog.  But then, who’s counting?

So …  Through lots of diligence, patience, and adequate amounts of sunshine, we finally managed to melt all the snow in the yard, and get the trees and grass greened up!

That usually means one thing. Time to hit the road somewhere again! 

But before that happened, the new UAV (drone) that arrived soon after I got home had to earn it’s keep.  One of the local Counties called me up and wanted to survey some ice jams and the river flooding situation.  Luckily, the ice jams had all disappeared, but there were was some overland flooding in some areas.

SMQP9790RD County DJI_0097 (24)

RD County DJI_0097 (18)

Both campers were sitting there, and Hailey couldn’t decide which one she preferred!

IMG_0093IMG_0092

Eventually, after a fight, she agreed that the truck camper would be the best bet!

IMG_0099IMG_0095Hailey and I jumped in and headed east.  We hit a few of our favourite spots along the way, but the weather was not cooperating, so we didn’t really take any photos till we reached Saskatchewan.

There we were able to find a nice spot overlooking the North Saskatchewan to enjoy the scenery and the spring warmth.

DJI_0200

In the morning, large flocks of geese would rise up off the river and circle, climbing, before eventually continuing their journey on north to their preferred nesting grounds.  Mourning Doves and Common Nighthawks were also announcing their presence in the area, as well as some Mule Deer and the occasional coyote.

DJI_0201DJI_0209IMG_0114DJI_0214

At another camp spot on the edge of a lake, beavers were out for an evening swim, and were actively talking back and forth as they swam along!

IMG_0143IMG_0145IMG_0142

In Saskatchewan, this is one of the more common signs you will see.

I think they lost their ‘road repair’ manual or something?

Stick to the main roads, and it is a bit better, but I usually like to take the less-traveled ways.IMG_0141

After that, we continued on to the east, watching a large column of smoke get larger and larger as we approached.  It was the ‘Rally’ fire that had ignited just the day before a bit west of Prince Albert.  Within a day or two, it had jumped across the North Saskatchewan River at that point.

IMG_0159

We sat and watched from a distance as the bombers circled, lining up to drop retardant along the edge of the fire under the direction of the ‘bird dog’ aircraft.

IMG_0160IMG_0161IMG_0162

After short visits with friends and relatives in Prince Albert, we headed north into the bush to the National Park of the same name.  It turned out that there was also an ‘out of control’ fire burning in the south western portion of the park, but by continuing further north we were able to avoid camping in the smoke and ash falling from the sky.

IMG_0172IMG_0179

As usual, the bears were out on the roadside, taking advantage of the first things to green up.

IMG_0167IMG_0166

It was still prior to the long weekend, so the campgrounds had not started to charge, and better yet, we were the only ones in the campground!

IMG_0168IMG_0171

After a couple of years of closure due to construction and repairs, the road on the north side of Waskesiu Lake to Kingsmere Lake was open again, so we headed up there next.

There is a small narrow guage rail running along the river to assist small boats making the portage up to Kingsmere lake, and some shiny new bridges and staircases as well.

IMG_0186IMG_0187IMG_0188IMG_0191

Clearly, there was a ‘government’ beaver working on this tree.  I assume he/she had been sent away for ‘sensitivity training’, language training, or perhaps just on an extended coffee break.  I hope to see this tree down on my next visit!

IMG_0192IMG_0193IMG_0194

On a hiking trail closer to the townsite, we came face to face with a friendly Otter, but I was a bit too slow on the draw to get a usable photo.  Another bear was not so shy however, and tried to approach me on a raised walkway with railings, till I convinced him that would not be a good idea Winking smile.

IMG_0220IMG_0221IMG_0222IMG_0225

I found an old fire lookout tower in the park, but it had obviously been ‘re-purposed’ for some sort of communications role.

IMG_0226

Heading back south again, the smoke had cleared or at least the wind had changed directions, so another great little lake front campsite was again smoke-free.IMG_0229IMG_0230After returning home for a very few days, and to mow the grass, we were back on the road again.  Who would have guessed?  Back to Saskatchewan again!IMG_0264IMG_0266

But that will have to wait for another blog post – hopefully before August  Winking smile.

5 comments:

  1. Does Hailey ever slip out of her harness or doesn't mind having it on?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hope Hailey is chipping in for the fuel....
    Good to hear from you again...
    Upriverdavid

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a rough life you and Hailey lead! It was great to meet up with you in Saskatoon! Happy travels!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the government beaver insights!!! Safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Ivan, what kind of drone you bought ?

    ReplyDelete