Well we just had the greatest week with Tracy and Cal and of course – the 2 most gorgeous grandkids! We went to Ol MacDonalds Resort by Stettler. I must say when I first looked at the place I thought it might be a bit cheesy but it was fantastic. It truly is a place to go with kids and have some affordable old fashioned fun.
We arrived on Sunday July 4, in the rain. That day was spent setting up the site and staying away form icky weather. The forecast for Monday wasn’t much better and we had already agreed we wanted to make a trip to see the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, so we used a bad weather day to make the road trip. Now I must say I am not a museum fan in any way, so I thought what the heck I can watch the kids if nothing else. BUT this is a fantastic museum. They have done it up 100% and all Albertans should be proud to have such a facility in their province. Plan on spending the day. And it is quite affordable, and a great restaurant. That day also included a ride on a ferry, which Blake called a flat bed trailer on a boat. Blake loved seeing the dinosaur bones, and Em was more than content to walk at her heart’s delight.
By Monday evening we knew the weather was on the way to perfection, and the rest of the week didn’t disappoint us. We enjoyed the beach and ice cream for the next 2 days, with Cal and Don pulling “Em” duty and getting her back and forth for her naps, etc. I had fun walking with Blake all the way into the ocean! He could not accept it was simply a lake, as you could walk out forever, and it never went higher than his armpits! The sand was in perfect castle building condition as well! This is one of the best parts of this resort, the beach. You truly can walk out forever, and not get deep. The bottom of the water is soft smooth sand, and no weeds.
Between beach visits and meals, we made great use of the resort’s other features – a train ride ($2), a merry go round (25 cents!!), a petting zoo (no cost), a tractor and hay wagon ride ($3 but over 30 minutes long), and a full service restaurant and for Grandma – a coffee bar!!.
Thursday was too hot for the beach, but we had a great day anyway. I took the kids so mom and dad could sleep in once, and we had a breakfast picnic. I knew by lunch it would be too hot for that. We had to run our air finally on Thursday. Even Blake had a nap that day.
Friday was check out day and a good bye to the week. We really had so much fun with the kids, but can’t believe 2 kids can tire out 4 adults:)
On Friday Don and I decided we didn’t want to go home yet, so we hunted down Pat and Walter, who are spending the summer working in Calgary and living in Okotoks. Pat and Walter are the couple who we kept visiting with on our April holiday in the states. We tend to stalk them lately. LOL
So we are staying a River Bend Campground, and it is quite nice. We will visit today and head home tomorrow.
Stay tuned next week, as I have the honour of chaperoning a Japanese Delegation visiting the Town to the Stampede and through Banff and Jasper.
Have a great week!