Cochrane Flood of 2013

 June 21, Friday
         - it continued to be cool, windy and rainy all day.

 

         At 7:00 am Randal and I went for a walk along the Bow River to see how high it rose over night. It may have crested over night as we could debris along the edge. The river ran very fast and has flooded down town Calgary and over 100,000 people had been evacuated. The flooding cover most of the city core, the Zoo, Stampede Grounds, YMCA area and business centre.

We spent the day watching the all-day continuous CTV news coverage and updates of the flood. Other places that were heavily damaged were Canmore, High River, Bragg Creek to name a few.

Later in the day no one was allowed to walk on the pathway. There were Search and Rescue Personnel posted along the river to make sure no one entered. A $500.00 fine was imposed.

There was a rumour that water could be released from the Ghost Lake Dam up-river and could flood the Bow RiversEdge Campground. A few motor homes had moved up to parking lots on higher ground, while other ones have arrived. Randal put things away for our preparation if we needed to leave.

We stayed the night and woke up to sunshine and a sable but high river still running fast and looking There was a rumour that water could be released from the Ghost Lake Dam up-river and could flood the Bow RiversEdge Campground.

 

Went for a walk Saturday morning up on higher ground and had a good view of the highway 22 bridge over the Bow River as it ran through Cochrane.

So remember to "Discover It and Live It".

 

First Day Of Summer

Our luck with wet weather is still holding on to us. Rain started last night and was steady the whole night. The slide roof over our heads in bed vertebrates with every drop of rain. We have to use ear plugs or suffer with wet dreams ... that didn't come out right, anyway it was a sleepless night in the rain.    

 

 

Woke up this morning to the same view out the dining room window, rain, wind, rain, and wind.



 

Before breakfast we usually walk the path adjacent to the campground, so I donned a rain coat and rubber boots, put the camera in a plastic bag with only the lens poking out and headed to the path.
Water was collecting in the low spots and then flowing over the edge into the Bow River.

 

I didn't get too far and I was soaked. The new resident development across the river must be a mud hole by now. There weren't any of the big machines running that there normally are.

More water making an escape to the river.

A couple from our campground still had to make the dog run with their two pooches. There weren't too many other people and dogs out, that I saw anyway.

So stay dry and remember to "Discover It and Live It".

Picnic-trip into Kananaskis Country

Early on June 12 we took a day trip to Kananaskis Morley, Ghost Lake

 

Randal fastened the movie camera on the small stand and put it on the front dash so we could record our drive through Morley to the Trans Canada and turned south on #40. We drove through Barrier Lake information centre and continued on stopping at Nakiska Ski Resort - Mt Allan interest point sign. There was a good view of Mt. Allan and the ski runs.

Our next stop was the beautiful Kananaskis Country Golf Course where there were many well dressed and well equipped golfers out to their best and enjoy the day. The valet parking attendants also assisted with lifting and cleaning golf equipment. High class course, indeed.

 

 

We checked out the only Pro Shop for both the Mount Kidd and the Mount Lorette courses. Inside a sale on light-weight composite drivers costing only $500, more than Randal's Wilson's boughten in the 90s.

We stopped to check out the twenty seven year old Mt. Kidd RV Park only a kilometre from the golf course. The setting for the sites were among the tall trees, making for very private sites. The facilities were very up-to date with internet services. There is an outdoor pool, laundry room, conveniences store, washrooms and a social and games area (not in the washrooms). On the grounds there are tennis courts, a play area, and paved bike/ walking paths. There is an amphitheatre too. The campground is open all year round although in the winter after freeze up water is not available at sites. This is popular place during the skiing season. The price per night ranges from $38.00 for no hock up to $48.00 for full service with a maximum length of stay of 21 days. It was a nice quiet environment but a bit pricey.

 

 

 

At 12:30 we drove further down to Wedge Pond picnic area and had our lunch. It was a small pond with a one km nature path around it. There were three fellows fishing in the quiet, peaceful pond. Randal took pictures of the tiny flowers that looked like orchards. We spent an hour there.

 

Just at Grizzly Creek we entered Peter Lougheed Park and saw mountain sheep on the road. Highway 40 is closed in the winter with seasonal barricades up from December 1, 2012 until June 14, 2013. Many cyclists use the area when it's closed as they don't have to worry about car traffic.

We took a road off the highway, Lougheed Dr, that lead us to the maintenance equipment area and homes for the staff.

 

Here we saw a young grizzle bear running between the houses and across the streets, looking back at us all the time until it was clear of the homes. It looked like he knew where his escape route was, so he must come into this residential area often.

 

By 3:00 pm we turned around and drove back. At one look-out spot we shopped for Randal to take photos of the mountains and the valley. The formation of the Rockies have many different curved-layers, making for an interesting picture.

 

 

We arrived back it Cochrane by 4:00 pm. A day most enjoyable. It would be nice to travel further south along #40 if the highway was open.

So until next time remember to “Discover It and Live It”

Good Morning

I was up at 5:30 and the sun was up but there were dark clouds looming in the west threatening rain. So I grabbed the camera to see if I could capture some memorable shot.

 
Most of the campground residents were still inside.

 

One of the locals was up making sure I stayed away from their nest.

 

The sun was highlighting the camp and the impending rain clouds provided a good backdrop.

There was a window of light in the west that showed detail in the overhead cover.

The greens of  the grassy knoll that acts as a sound barrier had a rich look to them.

The walking path along the river was void of human and canine presence.

So until next time remember "Discover It and Live It".