Tuesday, August 9, 2016 (Iron Horse Trail Campground, St. Paul, AB)

We woke to thunder and a heavy downpour in the wee hours of the morning...and when we got up, it was socked-in and still raining. Hmmm....not the best quad riding weather. After looking at the forecast indicating thundershowers, we decided to forgo a ride today, deciding instead to get the laundry done along with a few other errands...and check out St. Paul.

There is a laundry room here at the campground but it only has two washers/dryers and with a fair bit of laundry to do, we thought we'd find a laundromat in town so it could all be done at once. Well, we did find one but in hindsight, I think I would have been happier sticking to the one here at the campground...but I got it all done and we were out of there in just over an hour.

After a few other errands were taken care of, it was time to check out St. Paul's main attraction...the UFO Land Pad!

In 1967, a proposal was made to build the world's first UFO Landing Pad as a landmark for the town. The Government of Canada responded to this proposition and, during the grand opening on June 3 1967, St. Paul was declared the Centennial Capital of Canada.

The landing pad...

In the 1990's Mayor Paul Langevin officially opened an adjacent UFO tourist information centre to welcome visitors. As you enter St. Paul from the West, drop in to visit this landmark and see the UFO exhibit downstairs. This is an opportunity to view actual photographs of UFOs, crop circles and cattle mutilations. The exhibit is designed to educate. A UFO Hotline compliments the display with reports of UFO sightings and encounters of all kinds.

Well, that was fun...time to carry-on...to Upper Therien Lake and Lagasse Park, a lovely park with a boardwalk walking trail that follows the lakefront for quite a distance.

We made a stop at the UFA Farm store looking for some Fresh Cab but they didn't have any, but we walked out with a new style mouse trap as well as a couple of pairs of gloves. On our way out, we noticed a bank of very dark clouds approaching...then I received a "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" signal on my cell. Yikes, we'd better get home!

Well, a little later...the lightning and thunder started and then probably the biggest downpour of rain that we've ever experienced  (and we've experienced some heavy rain...remember the Oregon Coast?)

Looking towards the campground entrance...

We have a lake forming outside our door...

The site next to us...

Steve had to go out and lift the surge guard/voltage regulator out of the water and put it on a stool...

The site behind us...

The rain continued for quite awhile and then finally let up to a light drizzle...there is a lot of water for the ground to absorb!

We really want to get out on the quads tomorrow...Steve checked the forecast and it looks like we should be good in the morning, however another thunderstorm is to start by noon. We'd better get an early start...and make sure we have our rain gear!