Monday and Tuesday, August 15 and 16, 2016 (Bonnyville, AB)

After our usual relaxing start to the day, we had breakfast and showers and then started packing up. We weren't in any great hurry to leave. While I was finishing inside, Steve went with Dave and met Paul and the others to help with a tree that had come down on Allen and Denise's lawn

We were all packed up...just needed to bring the slides in and hitch up...but before doing that, it was time for a little fun. Paul brought out the targets and the guys did a little shooting while Leslie and I took Margaret up to the house and joined Diana on the sundeck. It was so nice sitting in the shade chatting while taking in such a beautiful view...ahhhh...

Paul's return to the house was our signal that they were done and it was time for Leslie and I to go back down to help the guys ready the rigs to leave. After big hugs and handshakes, we said our goodbyes to Diana and Paul. Thank you so very much for your hospitality and sharing your piece of paradise with us! We had a wonderful weekend!

We slowly made our way back to the highway and back to Bonnyville...

...where Dave and Leslie used the city sani-dump. It does not have easy access for big rigs and where we could probably have made the sharp curve into it, we decided that we didn't need to dump yet.

After Dave and Leslie were finished, we followed them back to their place...they got backed into their spot and unhitched and we did the same...back to where we were before leaving Saturday morning.

We sat out on their deck enjoying the view along with a few cocktails and a bite to eat. After the last couple of late nights, we packed it in early that night.

Shortly before 10:30 Tuesday morning we all jumped into Dave and Leslie's truck for a day of sightseeing. We were really looking forward to seeing Cold Lake, about 60 kms northeast of here.

Our first stop was at a local beach near their house at Moose Lake...








After arriving at Cold Lake we stopped at the Municipal Campground...

It's a large, treed campground but there are very few sites we'd be able to get into because because the roadway isn't conducive to larger rigs...

 The lake is huge! The far side of the lake is in the province of Saskatchewan...

 

 Next was a drive along the lakefront...beautiful B and B's across the road from the water...

 We parked at the Marina and went for a walk...

We took a look inside Clarks General Store/Eatery...a cute funky little nostalgic diner...and a "must see" spot in Cold Lake...

After our walk, we were back in the truck and our way to take a look at Cold Lake Provincial Park. There were lots of large sites but turning in the loops could be a bit tight but doable...

 Beautiful beach...

We were standing on the beach admiring the view when we heard a squeal from this muscular lady playing in the sand with her kids...

 Don't know what it is...but it was alive...and gross!

Next on the agenda was lunch...at O2's Taphouse and Grill...(unfortunately, the picture turned out rather blurry)...

With our bellies full, we were off to CFB Cold Lake, home to Canada's largest fighter force...and the highlight of Steve's day! Air Forces from around the world train here...

 They have named this DC-3 Pinocchio...

 CF-101 Voodoo was Canada's fighter before acquiring the CF-18 Hornet...Canada wants to replace it's fighters and the new Liberal government may cancel the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightening wanted by the previous government and go for the F-18 Super Hornet...

We were given directions to a great viewing area...and our own private air show! A few CF-18 Hornets were doing touch and goes...

   (Click on photos to enlarge)

On our way home, we stopped at Paul and Diana's to pick up Dave and Leslie's side-by-side...and by the time we got home, it was going on 6:00. Another fabulous day!

Time to relax out on the deck...and watch the thunderstorm approach...

 And then the storm hit! It certainly doesn't fool around when it rains here!

Water pouring off the roof...

 Look at the water gushing out of the down spout....

And some hail too...

 Rainbows...following the storm...

 After wiping the chairs off, we were able to enjoy one last drink out on the deck...

We said our goodbyes to Dave and Leslie before heading out to the trailer...they both are back to work tomorrow and will be leaving before we are up. Dave works at the Esso Oil Plant and Leslie is an X Ray Technician at the hospital...

We all had a conversation of ...what if they don't like us or we don't like them, but sometimes you meet people you just immediately click with, and this was the case for all of us. Before coming here we even had a couple of people comment about the fact that we had never met these people and you're going to stay with them? What if they're murderers! Anythings possible I suppose but this is what we love about this lifestyle...meeting like minded RV'ers and ATV'ers.

It was so wonderful meeting you both as well as all your friends...and are glad you took the chance to invite us to your home. We had a fantastic time and thank you so much for all of your hospitality! We look forward to seeing you down the road and sharing some more laughs when you start your full timing adventures!