Well, C&R—you win.
It’s been a month, the camping weather paused for breath, and apparently I’m due for an update. So, here’s what I’ve been up to: trees, travels, reunions, and the criminal underworld of expired camping permits. (Yes, really.)
BC or Bust
With spring creeping in—trees just starting to green and weather dancing between “brisk” and “barely tolerable”—it was time to hit the road for British Columbia. The first mission was a bittersweet one: a celebration of life for a friend and former colleague from my Jasper National Park days. A long drive, so we broke it up with an overnight stay in one of our favourite local spots along the North Saskatchewan River.
What Next? Turn Back, or Turn It into a Trip?
Predictably, we didn’t head home.
Despite a drizzle-filled morning, we aimed the rig southward, further into BC. A short detour brought us to Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park—a must-see spot if you enjoy 1) waterfalls.
Reunions & Rivers
From there, it was on to Kamloops to reconnect with a college classmate and his wife, followed by a scenic roll through Kelowna, landing at a previously-loved camp spot along the Kettle River.
Despite being nestled in trees, Starlink kept us connected. (Though with the residential plan, I have to change my “address” every time I move. I assume I now technically reside in at least 14 locations.)
Mountains, Ferries & Familiar Faces
From there, it was a blur of mountain towns:
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Castlegar
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Slocan Lake
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Across the longest free ferry in the world over Kootenay Lake
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A surprise pulloff overnight along the lake’s east shore (new to us, wonderfully quiet)
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Wild Horses Couldn’t Drag Us Away (But We Went Anyway)
The next adventure was a local one: just a few miles west, searching for wild horses with friends who’d arrived in their own rig. They took photos, I watched—and later stole a great picture from the local paper. (I’m calling it “collaborative wildlife photography.”)
My Descent into Crime (Sort Of)
Then things took a dark turn.
I headed to Abraham Lake—one of my favourite spots, about two hours from home—to meet some high school and RV friends. Beautiful scenery, no cell service, and one small problem: You need an annual permit to camp.
I checked my records and... gulp... my permit had expired a week earlier.
Now, without cell service, renewing the permit was tricky. I tried anyway. Repeatedly. I sympathized with Al from the Bayfield Bunch, who has fought with apps, phones, and online systems.
I even saw an officer one day, checking campers nearby. He looked in my direction… and moved on. Maybe he saw Bailey (my intimidating feline sidekick), or maybe he sensed I was one of those polite, apologetic campers who wouldn’t make good prison material.
Resigned to my fate as a camping criminal, I started researching tattoos that would help me blend in behind bars. (Leaning toward a small tent with barbed wire.) Then, in a last-ditch attempt to avoid prison meals, I called the help desk. Their hold music was comforting, and eventually a nice woman informed me:
“Sir… your permit is still valid.”
Turns out I’m not an outlaw. Just bad at paperwork. Back to being law-abiding... until next time.
Jasper, Fire & Perspective
While in the Abraham Lake area, we drove into Jasper, which suffered a devastating wildfire last summer. I’d driven the main highway post-fire before—it looked intense but familiar.
This time, we took a secondary road that had just reopened. The change was shocking. What had once been a dense forest corridor was now a wide-open, fire-swept landscape. A stark reminder of nature’s power—and how fast things can change.
Final Thoughts
From emotional reunions to waterfalls, permit paranoia to scenic mountain routes, it’s been a wild ride—literally. RV life continues to offer adventure, connection, and the occasional existential panic over government documentation.
Thanks for sticking with me—and for the not-so-subtle nudges to post. You know who you are. 😄
