Buttle Lake I


 What is typical for Canada and every tourist should do?
So what do all tourist do, when they come to western Canada? They go Camping. So we decided we have to do a camping trip with the girls. Original Gine thought: let's go to 2 or 3 different sites, but after 2 weeks with the girls and Noah, Gine discovered… you need as least as stress as possible because everything takes a lot longer than if only we go.

After Belinda’s practicum was over and Larissa and her friend were back from their little adventure, everyone got packed in the Motorhome and we went towards the Strathcona Park.
Since normally Larissa with her friend and Noah used the Motorhome as their little room, we had to re-organize a little bit. All not needed luggage in the house and then everyone got one compartment at the top.

 Camping spot at Buttle Lake
We are here and found a very convenient campground not too far away from the water and still nice and private. The Motorhome was set up fast.
The tent took a little bit longer – but finally everything was in place.

 Gine needs to sit down
Except there was a hole right in front of the Motorhome exit and when the carpet was over not easily to see… so Gine stepped into the hole and bend her leg… lucky for me: that means sit down, leg up and everyone does everything for you.

 Water pumping
So this became a daily task, since we used one big container of water a day. But the girls loved to pump and Noah always came along… but we did discover something even better: Noah’s stroller was perfect to put the water container in… and then you don’t have to carry… I would say Belinda became our expert in water pumping, always with Noah’s help.

 
 Stockbrot
Lucky for us, there was no fire ban and we could have a fire and that means we had to have Stock brot – bread on the stick, something Paul really loved – so from now on, we have this at least once a year on our camping trips.
And this goes well with cheese, butter, Cream cheese, Nutella, Peanut butter... as main dish or as desert – so everyone got more than one…
And if you have some spare time… we have enough chairs to hang out and read.

 Canadian Breakfast
As it is custom for us, when we are camping at least once in a while we need a real Canadian breakfast, so Paul got really challenged with cooking for 6 people… we need a bigger frying pan.
But then overall we got spoiled because we never had to do dishes

 Walking along the bay
The first exploring started so we went to the end of the campsite, where you can walk down to the bay and have a look up the long lake… and go down and find some cool drift wood, huge roots and see the little island.

 Kayak time
We did brought the Kayak and it was often in use… first Belinda and Gine went with Noah for a while, then Larissa and her friend… Belinda even could convince Paul to go in the evening. Another time we went around the bend underneath the bridge, because Belinda said there is a Geocache and she has to get it, for her Mom.

 Relaxing time
And with a nice sandy beach and super lake in front of you… you do not have to plan a trip, all you have to do is go with the girls to the beach. So we relax, sun tan, do nothing, go for a swim, read books, Noah makes friends and plays in the sand - Did I mention that reading was always a big thing to do!


 We kayak to a little island
So one day we had a full kayak and then we went in the kayak: Paul, Gine, and Noah in the kayak and Belinda on the air mattress hanging on… and over to the little island, we found a cute little beach and set ourselves up for a lot of fun: playing in the water, exploring the shores, paddling on the air mattress

 Clean up time
Washing hair is a big deal if you have that many people… so we all took our turns, as where Paul finally looks human again too…

 We explore Darkis Lake
With Belinda and Noah we went over to the little lake close by, nice views and we went around it as much as we could too… why did we not come here more often???

But afterwards sure it is time to relax on the beach or in the chairs on the campsite.