Camping 101
I'm back from our camping trip to Waskesiu. The trip was great. Hot temperatures allowed for us to spend some time on the beach and relax, exactly what the doctor ordered. We found a cool campground, Narrows Campground, 25 km west of Waskesiu along the Narrows Road. What is with all the Narrows you ask? It was near the tip of the lake where the lake narrows. This campground was a self serve site, where you did the registration all on your own, all on the honour system. Kind of neat. Never done it that way. The campground had a marina, a place to launch our boat if we had one, or rent boats, canoes, or kayaks. It also had a little beach. They provided us with some firewood, but I found it to be damp.
The Narrows road is a gravel road. On our final day we got a stone chip in the windshield of Marsha's car. If I would have brought the truck it wouldn't have mattered as there already is large crack.
Our actual campsite was near the water and near the water (meaning the lake and potable water). We were well sheltered from other campers as the trees surrounded us. We also had a path through the "woods" leading directly to the water.
We set up camp when we arrived Thursday night and then cooked up some burgers for a late supper. We then proceeded to relax around camp and enjoy our time together. Friday we spent the day at the Lake on the beach once we got moving. Saturday was a day of biking and then back to camp for a nap before a late supper and a fire. Sunday we got up, packed up then went back to the beach to soak up the rays and to cool off in the water. Then we proceeded back home.
I was impressed with Marhsa's reaction to the beauty of Saskatchewan. "This isn't Saskatchewan" was the reaction once she saw trees and lakes. She did enjoy the ride up as you could see the progression from prairie to woods, so did I. She even said that the road leading into Waskesiu reminded her of home.
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE CAMPING
This is a list of things I'm putting together for anyone, and to remind myself, who is thinking of going camping sometime. You may find these hints helpful. Or maybe not.
1. Put bug spray on. Once you think you have enough on, put the same amount on for a second coat. I went through a full can in three days. The bugs are bad this year. It could have been that we were in a treed area. All I know is I have way too many mosquito bites.
2. Bring more bug spray and After Bite. See above.
3. Bring an AXE. Notice I specified and Axe not a hatchet. We brought a hatchet along, thinking this would work but I soon realized I should have brought an axe. If you got room for it, pack it.
4. Dry firewood is Key. As mentioned before, we were supplied with damp firewood which doesn't like to burn well. On the last night I finally ended up going into the woods to find my own dead wood. Luckily I found one like 50 feet away, wish I brought a chainsaw.
5. Do not bring meat that you plan on eating. We bought steaks for a good meal. When we opened the package on Friday night, the second night, the meat had a blueish tinge. NOT GOOD. Cooked it anyways, thought it was nothing, but I learned later when I the meat literally ate at my stomach.
6. Get some exercise before you go on a bike trip. We brought our bikes with us to get on some good trails. I wished I had at least gone for a bike ride before going on one like the one I had. Although I do feel good.
7. Bring lots of food. Wait I did that. Lots of food means lots of options. Again, if you got the room, pack it.
Well I hope that this list of pointers will help any of you who are thinking of going camping. I enjoyed my trip and time off. It was good for me.
The Narrows road is a gravel road. On our final day we got a stone chip in the windshield of Marsha's car. If I would have brought the truck it wouldn't have mattered as there already is large crack.
Our actual campsite was near the water and near the water (meaning the lake and potable water). We were well sheltered from other campers as the trees surrounded us. We also had a path through the "woods" leading directly to the water.
We set up camp when we arrived Thursday night and then cooked up some burgers for a late supper. We then proceeded to relax around camp and enjoy our time together. Friday we spent the day at the Lake on the beach once we got moving. Saturday was a day of biking and then back to camp for a nap before a late supper and a fire. Sunday we got up, packed up then went back to the beach to soak up the rays and to cool off in the water. Then we proceeded back home.
I was impressed with Marhsa's reaction to the beauty of Saskatchewan. "This isn't Saskatchewan" was the reaction once she saw trees and lakes. She did enjoy the ride up as you could see the progression from prairie to woods, so did I. She even said that the road leading into Waskesiu reminded her of home.
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE CAMPING
This is a list of things I'm putting together for anyone, and to remind myself, who is thinking of going camping sometime. You may find these hints helpful. Or maybe not.
1. Put bug spray on. Once you think you have enough on, put the same amount on for a second coat. I went through a full can in three days. The bugs are bad this year. It could have been that we were in a treed area. All I know is I have way too many mosquito bites.
2. Bring more bug spray and After Bite. See above.
3. Bring an AXE. Notice I specified and Axe not a hatchet. We brought a hatchet along, thinking this would work but I soon realized I should have brought an axe. If you got room for it, pack it.
4. Dry firewood is Key. As mentioned before, we were supplied with damp firewood which doesn't like to burn well. On the last night I finally ended up going into the woods to find my own dead wood. Luckily I found one like 50 feet away, wish I brought a chainsaw.
5. Do not bring meat that you plan on eating. We bought steaks for a good meal. When we opened the package on Friday night, the second night, the meat had a blueish tinge. NOT GOOD. Cooked it anyways, thought it was nothing, but I learned later when I the meat literally ate at my stomach.
6. Get some exercise before you go on a bike trip. We brought our bikes with us to get on some good trails. I wished I had at least gone for a bike ride before going on one like the one I had. Although I do feel good.
7. Bring lots of food. Wait I did that. Lots of food means lots of options. Again, if you got the room, pack it.
Well I hope that this list of pointers will help any of you who are thinking of going camping. I enjoyed my trip and time off. It was good for me.
posted by Jago at 7:25 p.m.
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