Hot Tubs, Truck Swaps & Swallows: Tales from the Homestead

Well, it looks like it's been a month since Mr. Bailey and I returned to our Alberta homeland!

As soon as Bailey realized where he was, he tore around the house—up and down the stairs—checking out all his favorite perches, lookouts, and hiding spots.

 While there is no snow upon our arrival, there are still plenty of freezing overnight temperatures, so the first thing I had to do is to winterize the 5th wheel.  It seems backwards somehow, winterizing in the spring and de-winterizing in the fall ...

Naturally, I had to head over to the neighbour's fire pit with a beverage to catch up on all the local happenings and share updates from our travels.

It was nice to find the snow gone when we got back—but that didn't last long!

Bailey, who was born in Yuma, wasn’t too sure about this cold, wet, white stuff. When he finally got brave enough to walk on it, he bolted straight to the 5th wheel door, hoping it would whisk him back to sunny deserts and sandy beaches!

 One of the big bonuses of being home is the hot tub on the deck. It offers welcome relief from the chill and snow, and it’s the perfect place to watch the returning migratory birds as they make their way back to the area.

One of the first tasks on my list was to sort through five and a half months of mail that had piled up over the winter. I stay in touch with my mail delivery lady in the spring, just to make sure there’s still room for a few more bills!

When the weather allows, I start shifting gear from the ‘winter camper’ (the 5th wheel) into the ‘summer camper’ (the truck camper). The propane heater makes the move, along with various tools and equipment. I was happy to find that the lithium battery wintered well, and it was installed back into the camper.

Whenever Bailey is outside, he always goes to the 5th wheel door and asks to be let in. It’s where he’s spent most of his life. After a quick inspection inside, he’s content to head back out again.

The time has come for some big changes. My old 2008 GMC Sierra has been a reliable companion for 17 years, never letting us down and never burning a drop of oil. But with 604,000 km on the clock, how much longer could it go on—with the kind of mileage we rack up? It's taken us from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, to Alaska twice, three times to the Gulf Coast of Texas, and every winter down to Arizona and California—always hauling the camper or pulling the trailer. I hope it finds a new home on an Alberta ranch or farm, where it can haul cattle to market or bales to the feedlot. In semi-retirement, it should have many more years left.

All cleaned out and hitch removed, Bailey puts his final paw prints on the roof!

 

We found a very nice replacement—at pre-tariff pricing, no less. It comes with more tech than the space shuttle and more cameras than a movie set. I’m pretty sure it should include its own IT support person! But we’re gradually figuring it out and are amazed by all the features. I’ve had camper tie-downs installed and got the old camper mounted—ready for summer travels.

Got some camper tie-downs installed, and put the old camper on to get ready for the summer travels.

The neighbourhood rodent patrol is officially on duty!

'Tis the season—Bailey has even taken up watching hockey from his front-row seat.

Fire season is upon us again. Just last week, a wildfire broke out about 5 km away. I sat on the deck watching smoke rise as helicopters bucketed water and bomber groups worked the perimeter. Several helicopters and crews I’ve worked with were out there, doing their best to contain it. I could only see the smoke and aircraft from my spot, but I listened to the action over the radio. The whole area is under a fire ban, but a recent cool rain has helped, so that fire is no longer a concern.

 

Ever since I retired for the second time (from Forestry), I’ve "volunteered" to help out short-term at fire lookouts, tanker bases, or camps when they’re shorthanded. The first year, I spent time at two lookouts in the Peace River area. No calls yet this year, but they assure me I’m still on the list!

 

In addition to the ‘rodent control’ team, my mosquito control squadron of cliff swallows has returned to their condos under the eaves, helping keep the mosquito population down. I don’t know how to tell if birds are happy—but they sure look glad to be back.

Despite a few nice days here and there, the weather hasn’t been all that tempting for camping. That gives us time to get the new truck properly outfitted and fully transition into summer mode. Here's hoping the weather turns soon!

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