wildwood + wood

Phoebe came home for a cleaning and we decided to take her back out to Shadybrook Thursday evening. As we headed west the sky got darker - we thought it was the smoke from the BC forest fires. It wasn't. Lightening and thunder cracked through the sky and we were pelted with heavy rain and hail. For the record, every Airstream owner has nightmares about hail.

We had to pull off the highway and wait until we could see out the windshield before continuing. We finally got Phoebe back in to her spot at Shadybrook amidst the rain, lightening and hungry mosquitoes. However, she is now full of mud. Lesson - get a hose and sprayer for Shadybrook so we can clean her on site!

We had some things to do around home for part of the weekend so we didn't get out to  Shadybrook until later in the afternoon Saturday. We didn't have time to get groceries before we left home so we decided to dine at the Kokanee Springs RV Pub & Grill and watch the Roughrider game with our Shadybrook neighbor, and fellow Airstream owner, Val.

We also had breakfast Sunday morning at Kokanee Springs. There was a bison and a pelican (named Lilly) watching over us. Parked outside was a truck with testicles. I haven't seen those since Oprah was gifted a pair when she visited Edmonton. I still shake my head at the classless gesture.
Back to our day...

We decided to make a road trip to Wildwood, AB. We told our waitress at breakfast that we were going and she asked why? To check it out, we replied. She had never been but thought there was an ice cream shop. There is - Jennie's ice Cream Shoppe - but it was closed. There is a lot of property for sale in Wildwood if anyone is interested.

Wildwood is a hamlet with a population of 273. Next census there might be fewer people if all those properties aren't purchased.  Wildwood was originally called Junkins (after an engineer for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway) and was settled by African Americans from Oklahoma and Texas in 1908.  The community understandably changed the name in 1929.

The Lobstick River runs through the hamlet and 20 km north is Chip Lake. We drove to the lake and walked around the campsite. It is very peaceful around the lake.

We just about missed the turn off to the lake. We were expecting a more "official" looking sign. This one does stand out.

We can always spot an Airstream. This 16' was sitting in a field on the way to Chip Lake.

In the two weeks we have been away from the site, the arborists have been very busy. There are piles of cut up wood all around our site. We think there is more to come because there are still leaning trees. When the wood cures in a couple years, we'll be set for campfires galore!

After the road trip we re-organized our site and stacked wood to create some ambiance walls. Ned and Fred have a lot more wood to guard now.

Our stag is missing from our forest. We have wondered if the tree cutters may have dropped a tree on it and disposed of the body... So we have inquired at the office about our stag's whereabouts. So far an unsolved mystery.

Ned & Fred are up for the challenge of watching over more wood.

Where is our stag?!?

Many of the sites at Shadybrook have elaborate welcome entrances. We went with the flamingo and beach theme.

We may have to take a trip back to Wildwood for the fair in August. Check out the activities planned. We've never seen a greased pig catching contest. Have you?