Fri, Apr 21 2006, Sat, Apr 22 2006, Sun, Apr 23 2006 - Badlands Hiking, Cycling, Camping (View Original Event Details)
Event Coordinator(s): | |
Marg, Sibel (Mushroom)
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Participants: | | Sibel (Mushroom), bernie h, colleen w, Ian G, John S, John S, Alvin J, Valerie L, Derrick F, Amber W, Lyle P, Judy M |
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Write Up:What a beautiful day it was on the drive out to the Badlands. I wish I didn't have to work that day and I could have left Calgary earlier - oh well, a side from the rush hour traffic in Calgary - it was a great to leave the city behind...the afternoon was sunny, and hot, 27 degrees!
Alvin, Val, and I were the early arrivers and we managed to get ourselves and the main camp area set up. Alvin was a fantastic chef - had steak, baby potatoes, and salad made to share. As dusk came, the hardcore camping enthusiasts arrived. We had a great evening by the camp fire - with all the wood we had, we weren't being shy on its use. Val was the lucky one to catch the sun as it set that evening!
After a night of little sleep and lot's of time spent listening to the rain and wind, we started off by exploring the badlands. We climbed up, checked the visitor's info, and explored until we had to find a way back down again from the hoodoos. As the rain started to spit again, we found a grassy area to hike back to camp. We arrived in time for lunch - there were plenty of smokies to go around. Later, A few people stayed back for a game of cards in Alvin's trailer, and the rest of us made our way to the interpretive centers. Because of the wet clay, we stayed on the gravel pathways. Caught 4 mule deer in the trees - they weren't scared of us as we approached to take pictures.
Once we got back, we decided it was time to cover our kitchen area. Thanks to Amber who climbed up high on the wooden shade structures, we managed to tie down two tarps, and create a wind barrier with two other tarps. Lyle, Judy, and I took care of changing our fire pit location. Then we were set! John S. didn't let the snow back in Calgary stop him when he came to join us. Then we had a good laugh about the snow in Calgary -
It was a windy potluck, but the trailor and our newly made kitchen, was enough for us to enjoy our meals. There was plenty of food to go around - even the bird's indulged as we noticed their stash the next morning.
That evening, all nine of us stepped in to Alvin's trailer and played Cranium far in to the night. It was a tough game - lots of drawing to whistling, and interesting Hippy Men sketches. Ian and Judy game from behind to win in the end!
The best part was when all the stars were shining brightly at midnight and the wind had died down. I got another fire going and we continued to sit there that evening. I know now, that I don't want hardwood flooring in my house - once ignited, you have a beautiful fire. It was a fantastic evening - the warmest I have ever been camping. I hardly used all the night-survivor items I brought with me. It was too hot for camp booties or Nalgene bottles.
John S. caught the sun rise that Sunday morning - blue skiies, no wind, a pleasent 10 degrees. A beautiful morning. A pity we didn't have the same weather on Saturday, but it didn't matter. Everyone had fun and it was a fantastic weekend.
Thanks to all who came out! Now I am off to run 20km.