Last few camping trips of summer season - preparing for winter camping and travel.

 Apologies for a very late, disjointed, and out of order post!

Have been way too busy, and way too lazy to get around to the blog.

Nevertheless, there have been some goings on!  Bailey had his second birthday back in August, and caught himself a very fine trophy vole! 

 

 Don & Donna parked in the yard for a few days after attending a nearby family reunion. Of course, that meant some interesting day trips and eating out.

I managed to get both a medical appointment and dental visit out of the way - on the same day, how's that for planning ;-)

Weather was somewhat cooperative, so I managed to squeeze in several more camping expeditions to Revelstoke lake. 

Sometimes you have to wait a long time to get the best camp spots.  This is me, waiting for something to open up!

Some of the wildlife only comes out at night.  I was lucky to spot this fellow without stepping on him.

Some are out in the daylight, enjoying the warm fall sun ...

Leaving a shiny, slimy trail behind them, as they 'speed' across the trail.

 

 

Check out this 'action packed' video below! 

Some folks spend a lot of time and effort, building 'facilities' back in the bush.  I guess options are limited if you only have a tent or van?

A couple more 'prey' species to keep Bailey occupied around the campsite.

Sometimes you really get a waterfront spot!

Since Revelstoke lake is actually a reservoir of the Columbia river, the water levels fluctuate a bit.  During high water, some of the drift logs are on the move, and I sometimes help them find new homes that aren't on my section of beach!

Nearer home, there are often small bands of wild horses roaming about.  These are roadside, not within the fenced grazing area.

Took a good drive and hike one day to one of the lookouts I used to service when I worked with Alberta Wildfire.  I've hiked in here a few times, but flown there many more times over several years.  Vacant for a couple years, this one was open again this summer, but closed here for the season.

Back at the homestead ...

I had to pull off the truck camper for a while to find a new 5th wheel hitch for the new truck.

 

Then, Don & Donna suggested I join them back at Revelstoke lake for a few days to show them all the camping areas that I have discovered over the years.  So - put the camper back on and headed for the lake again. 

Found this spot with lots of room for their trailer, with ample clear sky for both solar and Starlink.  I have never actually camped here before, because during summer this spot is usually packed with rigs, families, kids, dogs, and boats.  Nice to see things slow down a bit in late season.

On one of our day trips we drove down to Shelter Bay, south of Revelstoke, and did a drive through of Blanket Creek Provincial Park.  I was surprised to find this immaculate bathroom with running water and flush toilet and sink, in what looked like a regular pit toilet from the outside!

Back home again, the truck camper is off on blocks once again, and winterized.

 

Lots of the gear is in the process of moving to the 5th wheel for eventual departure.  Preparation includes topping up the 4-6V batteries with water and cleaning all the connections, checking the fridge and heating systems, and taking a test tow around the neighbourhood to see how the new truck and hitch handle things.

The new Computer on Wheels (also known as a Chevy Silverado) had lots of questions about the size and type of trailer it had detected; runs automatic lights, signals, and brake checks for you, and conveniently displays a side view of the truck and trailer when you turn on a signal light!

Fall colours are upon us, and leaves are falling from the trees.

We had a very brief snowfall yesterday to remind us to keep packing up for migration in the next few weeks ...