Throw Back Thursday - May 14/2015

It is finally raining outside today. It has been a long time since we have had any precipitation here in Central Alberta. There is hope that it is also raining or snowing in the mountains.
While digging through some old pictures I found some to share. These are of the second camp we had which we used for about 10 years.

The camp was next to the river on the flood plain. It was a beautiful park-like area of about three acres with many trees and no undergrowth. For many years cows had used this area for grazing and cleaned away the scrub brush.

Here we set up our camp of a donut hut, some teepee's, an equipment storage area and a camp kitchen. There was room for a hot tub that gave a wonderful view of the night sky. Many people would take a turn in it during the evening.

I usually got to be last after setting up our contraption of a home made heat exchanger, propane tiger torch and gas water pump. It was a marvel it worked, and it worked well. Using just river water we had to change it after every use.

There was a fire pit in the middle of the donut hut. Guests talked about their day rafting while sitting around the fire. It seems the water rose and the waves got bigger with the retelling of the days adventures.

On one occasion the river rose overnight and flooded our campsite. It's nice to have a camp on the edge of the river but there is a risk that at any time the water might rise and flood you out. After the water receded we had to go hunting for the kitchen, pots, pans and the utensils which had gotten washed away. We found most of it downstream wrapped around the trees and left on the high ground. Being at the campsite would have been a frightening experience when that rushing water hit.

After a full day people went off to their teepee's for the night. The teepee's were not always dry and you had to share it with a few spiders and other bugs. People didn't expect to have to rough it that much.

The whole experience worked its magic on people and they had a good weekend. Over the years fewer and fewer people requested the overnight trips. People seemed to only have time for a day trip with maybe a motel stay if they got too tired out by the days activities. As the overnight trips became less popular the number of cell phones increased.  There is probably a correlation there.

Now, people appreciate the rafting Center in Sundre with its indoor change room and washrooms. Conveniently located in Sundre on Highway 22 there is no more of people getting lost driving in the backwoods on the gravel roads. No risks of flash floods or marauding bears.

It is nice to be able to offer a top notch service rather than making due at the old campsite with shacks, tarps, outhouses and tents.
Still, I miss it.

Donut Hut

Teepee's in the park