Great divide Day 2,3,4

We stayed 2 days at each camp. Glad we didn't have to do that every day! Camp 2 was nice, cosy and secluded.  I found out that due to provincial RULES, that putting anything up that was not there before the rules were made was totally illegal and therefore we couldn't make a bench, or put up a ridge pole or anything!  But this camp had a couple of old tables and a ridge pole that we could put a tarp over to protect us against the rain while we were at the campfire.On the way to camp 2, we went over a ridge that overlooked the valley. Stunning view! Then we headed for the "Great Divide!"
Then we proceeded to go up to Carnarvon Lake.  This lake is waaaay up there and has chains imbedded in the rock so you have something to hold onto while going up and down. Needless to say, I thought I'd signed up for a horse ride, not a Mountain climbing hike! Well, I'm glad I wore my mountain runners, cause my cowboy boots would have gotten me killed!

Great Divide Day 1

So we dropped off the horses at Etherington Creek and drove my car back to Cat Creek to park for the 7 days, and took the van back to the horses. The circles represent the trail the wagons took, while the lines represent the trail we took. The wagons were at camp long before us and set up and got ready for supper. When we got to camp they showed us how the tents went up and from then on it was our responsibility. All through the week it rained on and off. But we were lucky that most of the rain occurred at nite when we were sleeping. Somehow it cleared off when it came time to hit the trail, which usually happened about 10 am.The wranglers fed the horses horse feed and give them hay which was stored there previously. They looked after them very well. They always groomed them before they saddled them up as well.

It was interesting to find out who was on the ride and why they came etc. A lady Veterinarian from New York State; two from Washington DC; two from Calgary (not including me);a Dad and daughter from Cold Lake;a Mom and daughter from Markham Ontario; plus a Dad Wrangler that brought his 10 year old daughter along for the first three days. Dewy Mathews and his wife Jan (the owners of Anchor D) brought their daughter and son with them for the first couple of days. There were various wranglers that showed up after day 2...usually we had at least three on each trip. One wrangler was from Australia and was on his last ride before going on a European vacation. Another wrangler was from Meadow Lake Sask. and appeared to know just where to look to find BEARS and Elk and Moose!
Dewy Entertained us with his accordion playing after supper. I think he could play everything!

My Canon G9

If you click on the title you can go to the review.  This is a great little camera, much better than my SD 80.

Great Divide Ride

Ok....it has been a couple of days back, and I'm still gathering my thoughts from an unbelievable ride. 

This has been the Ride of a lifetime. All the comments on the website are true.  I could not believe where we took horses.  I would not have gone there without an experienced guide.  Well worth the money. I will never forget this.  I thought I was prepared for this...but, I never thought I would go places we went, down slopes and through forests like this.  Not in Saskatchewan anyway! I had my eyes opened to the tenacity and experience of others.  I thought I was pretty tough...but was quickly put in my place by the likes of "Supergirl" and "Supermom".  These people took off on a hike and left me in the dust!  I am not used to that....It is usually me that leaves people in the dust.  (Guess I've been out of the loop for 30 years or so!) Stay tuned!

Ok...I have put the pics on my .Mac site Click on the title to go to the site. They are in jpeg form but you have to download them to see them (all 700mb) They won't be there for long.

Anchor D Guiding & Outfitting Ltd.

Well, Tomorrow is the big day. Bright and early at the Anchor D.  Going into the Great Divide, somewhere...who knows exactly where. Click on the title for the website. Hope the bears stay away....and hope it doesn't snow! It's going to be great to get the heck out of this city! I need a break desperately! I bought a new G9 Canon cause my poor S80 bit the dust.  I also got a Canon A590IS as a back up, I don't want to be 7 days from nowhere, and have no camera! I'm taking the Colt cause the Olds is running it's battery down again. Don't know what is going on...but I want to be able to get home after. I'm parking way out in the bush somewhere apparently, at some trail head or other. 10 people on the ride, and 5 guides, dogs and somebody will have  a gun for bears! Stay tuned for pics I hope.

Bear Encounter Survival Guide

Ok..These three books available at Amazon.com (Click Title). Absolutely a MUST read for anyone going into Bear Country.

Which I am next week!

This fellow is perhaps the leading authority on Bears, and pulls no punches when it comes to telling the truth about Conservationists Vs Preservationists. Bears are not declining in population they are increasing.  Why do you think there has been an increasing number of attacks lately!

Strathmore Rodeo

I went to this after a rather busy niteshift.  Good day, it didn't rain til after the rodeo. Cost $14.00 for rush seats. I thought they were better for photography. However they wanted another $24.00 for the Chuckwagon races on top of that...so I took a pass. This is more than the Calgary Stampede for pete's sake!

Drumheller rodeo

Good Rodeo, However they charged me $25.00 to include the Chuckwagon races...which turned out to be cancelled due to a heavy rainstorm. (They returned 10 bucks...so it was about right!)

Good sound, nice view.

Dino's restaurant charged me .95 for one ounce of gravy...I'd hate to translate that into a gallon....would be more than gas!!!!

I need a new camera...I'm sick of getting chance shots!

Bowden Rodeo

More scenes from Mountain Meadow

Chief Mountain

More Eddie the Eagle

John was our trail guide & cook! Did an awesome job! Momma Eagle never did show up, but we thought we could see her way off in the distance. Hope the Coyotes didn't get it!

Mountain Meadow Trail Rides

 



Just got back from a 4 day ride.

"Eddie" the Eagle was the highlight of the trip. Just happened upon him at the side of the trail. More shots to come.

This ride cost $198.00 a day all inclusive, meals...awsome cabins (in the bush no less). I highly recommend this to anyone especially if they would rather sleep in the comfort of a cabin rather than a tent. Oh...and they have a HOT TUB!!!!

Irvine's Tack & Trailer

I've never seen this many ropes in one place!

Moose Mountain Adventure Tours

This was a short 2 hour ride around the ranch. Last minute booking, so just the two of us. They do Mountain rides, I definitely want to get in on one of those. Beautiful barn. Rates $55.00 for two hour ride. Got to trot too! Lots of flowers, I've never seen so many Tiger Lilies.

Lake Louise Timberline Tours

These People were great, small group, scenery was unbelievable. I was lucky as a single rider to get in on the 3.5 hr ride to the top of Little Beehive Mtn. $105.00 Well worth it. Brewsters doesn't go there. Highly recommended. One Guide was great, small group of 3.

Badlands Passion Play

You've gotta see this. This is unreal. No words to describe it. Oh...and you're not supposed to take pictures!!!!

Boundary Ranch 2 hour ride

OK It's Stampede time....time for a ride. Would you believe I lost 4 pounds on this ride!
This was a good ride. Staff were friendly. Very accommodating for a single rider. 15 people on this ride, guide at front and back. Price reasonable around $55.00 for a two hour ride. Walk all the way nose to toes. One good view, the rest mostly in the bush.

EMS Breakfast

Click on Title Download the Trevor Video or the Steve Video.

Photos from Backcountry Simulation

Mountain biker came down mountain...hit a tree. RSI Scenario, chest decompression, rope techniques.

Paul and Lana

Wow...I was surprised yesterday when Paul & Lana (My nephew & his family) Preston, & Cayden showed up at my door. Haven't seen them here in 2 years. Cayden had his "build-a-bear" from the flames store. I can't believe how big they are getting!