Your honey may not be honey!

A couple came through the park yesterday trying to pick out a site to reserve for their summer holiday in July. We got to talking, and it turns out this couple are honey producers. In fact, they are one of about 150 commercial size honey producers in Saskatchewan.

But we found out something disturbing. It's not right and we wanted to tell you about it.

$5 for drinking water?

Strangely enough, it seems that everybody up here buys purified drinking water. We haven't quite figured it out yet, but I would have thought that well water would have been good enough. Here at the campground, it's from a well, but they've got this chlorine drip system that it goes through and even though I'm sure it's safe, it simply doesn't taste very good!

Aren't you supposed to rake leaves in the fall?

I think so. And I think it would be easier to do them in the fall. The problem here is that the camping season ends September 30th, and possibly earlier depending on the weather. Most of the leaves are still on the trees when they close things up.

Call the fire brigade!

Found out yesterday that being campground manager also means I'm on the fire brigade! Not officially of course, but a call came through the office that there was an "uncontrolled fire" burning about 3 kms (1.7 miles) from the campground.

Our first campers have arrived!

And in the last 24 hours, the ice on the lake has disappeared. It's amazing because it pretty much disappeared overnight. Thursday night it was there, and Friday morning there were only a few big sheets floating around. Later yesterday, it had gone!

How many ways can the sun set?

I was looking at some of our photos last night and realized how many different sunset photos we have! Some of them are really colorful. Interestingly some of the best photos are not taken looking towards the sunset, but just using what little light is still shining in the opposite direction!

Why Saskatchewan?

Thought we might tell you a little about the province of Saskatchewan. Many of our readers outside of Canada (and probably some inside Canada!) may not know very much about this province or why we chose to come here. We think it's actually fairly interesting, so read on...

Week one, complete.

Our first week of work was a resounding success, even if I do say so myself! There are still no campers booked to arrive until Thursday the 16th, and that's the latest that we want to have everything ready anyhow in time for the onslaught of May long weekend campers who will arrive on the 17th. We'll have no problem accomplishing that goal.

Three hours? For grocery shopping??

If you really want to know how to plan your time and be efficient, just come grocery shopping with us!!

We had to go in to Prince Albert to pick up our camera. Oh! First, let me explain why we had to go to Prince Albert when the address on the shipping label was marked Shellbrook. This is a good one...

Every job has it's perks!

It looks like we're going to go straight from winter to summer, and we're okay with that! We had a great weekend in the weather department, and they're calling for a high of 26C (79F) today with sunny skies.

There was quite a bit of snow on the ground when we arrived here, and it's almost all gone. In fact, it could be totally gone by the end of the day today. There's still ice on the lake though. I can't wait for our camera to arrive so I can show you some pictures!

Twenty One!

That's how many large bags of leaves Ruth raked up yesterday! We brought a whole pickup truck load of them up to the dump on the other side of the main road. She says her hands are a bit sore, but that's about it. She uses this new high tech looking ergonomically correct rake. What did we do in the old days?!

The news is out!

In full support of our right to bare arms, we were working in short sleeved shirts yesterday! Yes, it was a beautiful afternoon with a nice springtime high of 18C (65F). Ruth says she loves having her office outdoors!

I wish we could show you photos.

A little stiff and sore today

But that's okay, the muscles are getting used to working. I'm enjoying the feeling of getting some physical exercise for a change. And I eat a lot more, and sleep like a rock!

First day of work!

Wow, that's something we haven't said for a while!

But you know what? It was a totally enjoyable day. Essentially, we make our own schedule and decide what the priorities are. Sometimes we work together, and sometimes we have different things to do. Here's what we accomplished yesterday...

No more pictures!

For the time being, anyhow. Yesterday morning, we drove the 35 kms (22 miles) down to the town of Shellbrook (pop 1,433) and shipped our camera back to Olympus. They agreed to send us a new one as soon as I supplied them with a tracking number, so hopefully our new camera will arrive Friday. I'm not counting on it, but I'm hopeful. I don't like being without a camera!