Saturday, August 13, 2016 (Muriel Lake, Bonnyville, AB)

Saturday morning, we were all up early getting ready to head off to a spot on Muriel Lake owned by friends of Dave and Leslie's. We hadn't unpacked much...mainly cleaned off the bed so we'd be able to sleep...so it really didn't take long. Dave and Leslie packed what they needed for the weekend, got hitched up, put some water in their fifth-wheel...and we were ready to go just before 9:00.

We decided to stop for breakfast along the way, so we pulled into The Neighbourhood Inn (they had a huge parking area) and had a fabulous meal. After a stop at Sobey's and a liquor store, we were good to go! It was an absolutely beautiful morning...

It couldn't have been more than about a half hour later and we were pulling off the highway onto Paul and Diana's driveway...

A very long and windy driveway...

We stopped at "the shop" basically at the junction where the road splits...one goes to their home and the other heads down to the camping area. After all, with 66 acres, you can have your home AND a camping area! Paul came driving up in his side-by-side and after introductions, took Steve to check out the road in. Dave was concerned that Steve wouldn't want to go any further as the road got narrower. Before long, they were back...Steve figured if Dave could do it in their shiny new rig we could too...so we continued our convoy down the narrow windy road...

Now that's a narrow road plus there were deep ruts from the heavy rains 2 days before. At times the trailer was in the grass and bushes so we just hoped there were no rocks or stumps...

And here we are!! An awesome spot...which used to be right on the lake but unfortunately the lake has lost almost 60% of it's volume. Once pristine and a popular summer recreation destination, Muriel Lake is no longer usable as a recreational lake due to severe low levels which makes most power boating impossible or dangerous; sport fishing no longer exists as the game fish have all perished from the shallow levels and winter kill; and swimming is very difficult and not very enjoyable because of the muddy bottom and high algae content. But the area is still beautiful nonetheless!

A cute little red cabin...and that is Diana's parent's (Allen and Denise) trailer. They also have a home on the acreage...the property has been in the family for years; as a matter of fact, Diana grew up here!

That's our rig way down at the end...set up beside the "white cabin"...then Dave and Leslie in the middle...with Andre and Shannon at this end (on right)...

While I was setting up inside, Steve off-loaded the quads...we're going for a quad ride around the lake this afternoon! We all gathered at Diana and Paul's cabin..

It was about 12:30 when we headed out...Paul and Diana in their side-by-side led the way. We had a small rest break...that's Andre (in red shirt) with Shannon (on quad) with Leslie and Diana beside her. I'm standing on my quad beside them and that's Paul walking on the right with Dave up front...

I'm following Dave and Leslie...

Shannon and Andre...

We went through some rather dense "jungle"....

This vegetation in this area reminded a few of us of something you'd see in a Vietnam war documentary...

And some open sandy areas...

That's me and Margaret (Leslie and Dave's dog)...

Lots of Pelicans...

Oh...and a little mud and water...

Dave and Leslie,,,

Oh look...finally...a hill! This is a very steep hillside that Paul drove up (Diana got out at the bottom)...

It is way steeper than it looks...

Once Paul was safely up, Steve decided to follow...

Great views from up there! You can barely see us below...that little bit of red in the centre just below the water...

Not a ripple on the water and it was a hot 27C/80F

Rather than ride his side-by-side up, Iron-Man Dave opted to run up instead. When he got to the top he said he thought his heart was going to pop out of his chest...

And then it was time to come down. Steve first...

Then Paul. Dave decided to catch a ride down. What a wussy!

Lots of sandy spots that used to be beautiful beaches...

No longer a waterfront home...

With the water level down so far, we rode past many old boat ramps now high and dry, as well as now abandoned boat lifts that were virtually hundreds of yards away from the water and could no longer be used. For more information, check out Muriel Lake Basin Management Society.

Trying for a suitable place for a swim with not much luck...

Part of the trail was too overgrown for the side x sides so we had to take the main road for a bit. it was kind of nice to get some speed and air flow happening...

Paul wanted to show us the Beaver Dam but it had been blown up. He said he used to dive into this spot from the bridge...

Remnants of the Beaver Dam on the opposite side of the bridge...

Another break...this time we are seeking out some shade!

Through the creek...

There were two Bald Eagles sitting below the nest on the lower left but one got skittish and took off...

Still not suitable for swimming but a few did get wet...

Four and a half hours later and 52 kms/32 miles...we were back home! What a fabulous afternoon! But it had been hot...and we were ready for showers!

After getting cleaned up, we all gathered on Paul and Diana's porch....Andre, me and Leslie...

Paul strumming his guitar, and Shannon...

Then we headed out to the campfire...but it started raining...

So we all gathered back under shelter on the porch...left to right, going around...Steve, Allen, Leslie, Dave, Andre, Paul, Diana, Shannon and Denise...

A beautiful sunset...

With a lightening show in the distance the rain finally let up, and after dinner (in Leslie and Dave's trailer...thanks guys!) we managed to sit around the campfire. Left to right...Denise, Allen, Leslie, Dave, Paul (with his guitar again...we had some great sing-a-longs throughout the evening!), me, Andre, Shannon, Lisa and Diana...

Paul and Diana had put together a bunch of Sky Lanterns and we each got one to light, make a wish...and send off into the sky! Beautiful! A lovely end to a lovely day with new friends! Mind you, bedtime wasn't until a number of hours later for some...we went to bed just after midnight.