Ashmeads July camping trip to BC!

So as I mentioned, returning home from Motion Notion was just a pit stop before our Family Vacation!

Tuesday:  We picked up Quinn (3 hour detour) and headed out to Golden (4.5 hrs) where we camped overnight just to sleep (Pit stop).   Driving through the mountains was pretty easy with the trailer.  We just kept a slow pace and didn't worry about anyone else but us. 


Wednesday: morning we headed off to Vernon, to Swan Lake where we would set up camp for a few days.  We found a RV/campground.  It was slim pickings for a last minute reservation, so this is what we chose.  It was 'ok'.  I wouldn't go back.  It didn't feel like camping as many huge ass units were 'perminant' RV's on site.  It kind of felt like we were camping in a 'Trailer park!' (with the colorful characters too I might add).

But we made the best of it.  We had full power/water/sewer.  Now that was a treat!  I really enjoyed the not-so-ruffing it aspect!


Thursday:  We headed to Atlantis Water slides in Vernon and spent the whole day there.  It was a lot of fun.  We took Quinn to Cultas Lake when he was little (2-2.5yrs) and he didn't like it, in fact, we got our money back and left.  This this time however, he had a blast!  He was big enough to go on all the slides and better yet, big enough to go up by himself without a parent!  So we were able to relax a bit while he ran around.

The park was so quiet!  Maybe 100 people?  So very peaceful, quiet, no lines, lots of space.  There looked like there was going to be a storm, but it kept blowing around us - and we had a little pocket of sun beaming on us almost the whole time.  Very lucky!  We spent the entire day there, finishing off with a mini golf game.


Friday:  On friday we went to a beach on Okanogan Lake.  It was a warm day (not hot), but nice.  The lake was a good temp.  Took a bit to acclimatise, but was fun and cool.  Spent the afternoon there.


Saturday:  We decided to head back to Calgary giving us a day to get ourselves unpacked and ready for the work week.  We stopped at the 'Sky trek adventure park' http://www.skytrekadventurepark.com/ (it shares the same parking lot as the 'enchanted forrest'.  -- Note, the enchanted forrest is totally ghetto unless you are 3 or 4 years old.

Quinn did a kids Low ropes course.  We were so proud of him!  He did such a great job!  He never fell or got frustrated and he problem solved very well.  It was amazing to watch him.  One day (perhaps when he is big enough) I'd like to do the High ropes course!  Quinn & I also did the 'Sky Swing'.  Where they harness you onto a Swing, hoist you up 15 meters, the drop you!  You drop down, then Swing big.  He loved it!  When we got to the top he was getting a little scared, and the first swing scared him (I screamed lots!) but one the 1st swing back, he said he wanted to do it again.  That's my boy!

This little stop took several hours, but was well worth it.  Pulling through Golden there was a road block...  There was a rock slide near Field the night before and the Trans Canada Highway was closed for at least 3 days!  So there was only one way to go home, via Radium on the 93.  This route took us about 2.5 hours out of way, but got us home.

We thought about stopping in Radium overnight, but there was 'no vacancy'!  So we just pushed through.

It was a very beautiful drive.  I don't recall ever going that way so it was nice to see different sites.  I would like to go back to Radium to stay one weekend.  Maybe in September when it's not so crowded?

We got home after midnight.


It was a lovely family vacation but way too short!