.Wowza, has it ever been a busy summer so far!
We’ve had a pretty jam packed schedule this summer, with lots of camping and events and though that was all fun, I’m excited to relax for a little while before ramping up again.
July started with a bang as we took part in a huge flying event out at the place we got engaged. The rest of July revolves mostly around our big camping trip, with a few other fun tidbits in between.
Monthly Memories | July 2019
First Week of July – Flying Event & Wedding Venue!
The last weekend in June lead into the Canada Day Monday, and our long weekend actually started on the Wednesday! Each July Long we head out to our family friends farm to take part in their annual RC flying event – and this year was extra special!
Celebrating 40 years, this event was all about going big. With so many tributes, special surprises, and catching up with old friends, it was a weekend to remember.
After heading home on Canada Day Monday, we had a week of work and then headed to Calgary on the Friday. On Saturday morning we headed for a Stampede brunch with my grandparents and it was oh so lovely. If you don’t know, the Calgary Stampede is an annual fair that happens every July filled with rides, food stands, a rodeo and all things cowboy. The whole city goes all out for the occasion and we try to take it in every year (even though we don’t even live there!).
Saturday afternoon we checked out a ceremony location and ended up putting in an application for it! We’re very excited to have another step done in our wedding planning.
That Saturday evening we headed downtown to do some bar hopping for Stampede weekend. We met up with a friend and shared some food, drinks and lots of laughs.
Second Week of July – Prep and Starting Our Trip!
This week was all about prepping for our big camping trip. I spent the week meal prepping and packing everything we needed for our 10 day trip with the trailer.
First Destination
On Friday after work, we headed out to hook up the trailer and headed down south! Our first stop was just south of Calgary, and man was the traffic on the highway ever bad (thanks Stampede weekend). We made it to our first destination and settled in.
The Saturday unfortunately started with a migraine for me, but I did get to get out and enjoy some sun in the later hours of the afternoon with some family and friends. It was a beautiful day, and we all celebrated the beginning of our trip by taking a bike ride to an ice cream shop in town and treating ourselves.
Sunday morning we packed up and headed south again to our next destination.
Third Week of July – Our Big Camping Trip!
Second Destination
Sunday afternoon we made it to our next destination, a cute little campground in the valley, right on the river (aka no cell service).
Another warm afternoon, so we grabbed our chairs and headed down to the river to relax. Someone had the bright idea of putting our chairs in the river on a high spot in the middle, and man oh man was that hilarious. The river was running quite fast and was it ever freezing.
After quite the curfuffle, some swears, and a broken sandal later, we all relaxed (with our feet promptly tucked up onto our chairs because they definitely went numb if you held them in the water).
We spent the next day doing some exploring of a nearby dam and relaxed in the sun.
Third Destination
On the Tuesday we headed off to our next destination – a very windy spot by the lake. The weather started to not be in our favor starting here, so with some windy, rainy weather, on Wednesday we ended up taking a drive to some nearby towns for something to do. We found a drive-in and got some delicious milkshakes!
Fourth Destination
Thursday morning we headed out to our most anticipated location – Waterton Lakes National Park!
After unhooking the trailer in the rain, we checked out the town and tuckered in for the night.
Friday morning we got up, had a quick breakfast and got on our way for a hike to some nearby falls. The whole crew was planning to make it to the lower falls and then stop for lunch, but we had determinations to make it all the way to the upper falls as well.
After a very long and uphill trek, three of us (out of the 11 that started) made it to the upper falls and wowza was it ever beautiful!
That night we hit up a local pub in town, and the following days were for exploring the town and hiding from the rain.
On the Sunday, everyone headed their separate ways and we started our trek home.
Fifth Destination
We stopped at a campground about halfway home for the night to cut the long drive in half. It was a cute campground nestled on the river and our site was massive and tucked away from anyone else.
We strung up the hammock, played some games and had a nice little fire, just the two of us.
All was good and dandy as we tucked into bed – until a crinkling noise came from the front door.
I flipped on the light, and to my surprise a little creature decided to bolt across the floor to the other side of the trailer.
A gosh dang mouse.
Cue not sleeping all night. We spent hours listening and trying to catch, kill or shoo the damn thing out. We decided to give up after hearing nothing for awhile, hoping he’d gotten back out.
Update: He hadn’t gotten out. He shat everywhere and ate my silicon sink stopper. We bought and placed traps when we got home and the next visit to the trailer – creature terminated.
With little to no sleep, we got up early and made the last three hour trek home. Man was I ever ready for a nice long shower and a cozy clean bed after all that.
Fourth Week of July
We got home on the Monday from our big camping trip and started getting back into the swing of the regular routine.
Thursday evening we went to a CFL football game! It ended up being pretty good weather for the game (after so much rain this month) and our team won!
Friday night we went to a local food festival with some friends. Then we just spent a low-key weekend at home (aka a much needed break after our long trip).
July was a busy one for us! We had lots planned, and August isn’t far behind on plans either.
I’m excited for the few more adventures of this summer, but I’m also excited for a low key fall and winter, focusing on wedding planning and family time.
Are you big on camping in the summertime? What does your family do for a little vacation to celebrate the summer months!?