FINTRY IN THE FALL

With the Park being much quieter these last few weeks, I've been able to take my camera with me during my rounds. 

I LOVE fall and couldn't wait to get to this time when the trees are changing colour. If you don't feel that way too this post may be a bit on the boring side for you! I KNOW one photo looks just like the other but they all seem so unique to me. I really had to edit and I still have too many! 

Because Fintry ranges from a pine and fir forest to mainly deciduous it has a lot to offer. Put the rocks, hayfield and beach into that and it's a great place to visit - and photograph. 

These pictures were taken over the last week or so - the second half of our walk from our house to the beach today. Derek and Cassia go there at least once a day after lunch. It was nice to join them for a change. 

It's been pretty grey here lately. I was glad I had my camera with me early one morning last weekend as the sky opened up for a few hours. Here I am down at the boat launch/day use beach at about 8 am.

It's been months since I've walked the beach. During the summer with the high water level it's impossible to walk the beach - it's only this deep in the spring and fall.

A nice way to start the day - we are blessed to live close to a lake. This is Okanagan Lake by the way.

I stumbled upon a maple - we only have a few but they colour so nicely. 

A great thing about Fintry are all the walking trails we have - even better at this time of year.

So quiet without all the campers. Although loop 2 is closed and empty now I can see all the activity and filled sites in my head from the summer. Time for it's winter rest and rejuvenation.

Some days during the summer the boat launch and day use parking lot are so full not one more car will fit - look at it now!

Waiting for next years kids.....

Loop 3 also now closed is one of my favourite places. 

Lots and lots of rose hips in the Park.

The old building behind our house. I waited too long to take this picture.....

Also our back yard....

We had 30 campers in Loop 1 for the Thanksgiving weekend, plus 2 groups in the group sites. It seemed so busy after averaging about 5 - 10 campers per night over the last few weeks. A good crowd though and I think everyone had a good weekend - thankfully the weather was much better than expected. 

The view from the overflow parking towards the historic barn buildings.

The amazing beech tree by the Manor House.

On our way to the lake we pass by barns and outbuildings from Captain Dun-Waters time.

Do you remember this tree lined road from the spring?! I knew it would be amazing in the fall. I'll head back over when it's all yellow for more pics.

And finally to the lake - it's only about a 10 minute walk for us.

A few geese stopping in.

In the 20 minutes that we were there the clouds broke up. Nice to see blue sky again.

Cassia was happy to finally be able to show me her favourite log.

A funny picture I know but I couldn't resist - seems like we are not alone - he was just here. 

Any guesses on what - or who I'm talking about?

Time to head home.

Not exactly sure what type of plant this is but pretty neat looking. Derek is thinking an asparagus.

Cas - always looking for something to climb.

A reminder of the past. This is a piece of Captain Dun-Waters irrigation system. If you can believe all his piping from Shorts Creek was made of wood.

Down at Shorts Creek that comes from the water fall and past our house.

So - that's it.

I hope everyone - in Canada - had a nice Thanksgiving. It's not really something we celebrate since we are - working, don't have family close and well - are usually on the road in the USA at this time of year. It was a nice weekend though and like I said - it looked like a lot of our campers were in family units and had a great time.

Tonight is the last night that the park is open. I registered one campsite. It seemed fitting that the fellow shook my hand - my last registration of 2015. Last year I counted and registered 2,315 campers in 4.5 months - I would imagine that it was well into the 3 or even 4000s for this summer.

Tomorrow we lock the gates at 11:00 am and then Derek and I start with the final clean up and closing down of the park. As these things do, it felt like it took forever to get here until the end.

I have one more topic I've been thinking of posting before Cassia and I head out on an adventure next week. A girls trip down to the Coast and the Island to see Derek's and my family for the rest of the month.

We can't wait! A road trip!

Teresa

FINTRY PROVINCIAL PARK - THE BEGINNING

Interestingly, we have yet to take pictures of the inside of our new home. When we arrived we instantly began bringing our stuff in from the van which quickly turned an empty space into one of moderate chaos. This has only increased since we picked up our storage trailer yesterday. Now, the house, which was somewhat organized, is now back to a state of complete chaos! So, those pictures will have to wait a little bit longer to make their debut on the blog.

But do not fear, the natural beauty of Fintry Provincial Park is the real story anyway.

In only a few short weeks - actually it took a lot less time then that - we have grown to love this place. A park we had never been to before we arrived on February 27th. 

We'll have many many more photos to show you over the months - and hopefully years - to come. However, you may as well start seeing it as we did - within the first few weeks that we arrived - there were sunny days and cloudy days. 

The pictures below are in no particular order and were taken over the first two weeks we were here. During the first week we had little more to do then to walk around. We made it our mission to walk every trail that is here. 

One of the most amazing things about Fintry is it's diversity - from the creek, waterfall and lake, to the hayfield, to the manicured grass around the Manor House. From the fir and ponderosa pine forest to the grasslands with cottonwood and trembling aspen trees. 

Here's the first tour. Looking back I can't believe how much greener it is already. Next post we'll show you our trip to Vancouver Island - then it will be back to a more complete look at Fintry.

The morning after our first night in the house. 

Shorts Creek runs right in front of our house. With the spring run off it is more like a raging river these days. The creek comes from the waterfall you'll see pictures of soon.

Our first walk down the main road into the park. 

We were excited Saturday morning to go take a look around. 

The campground map. The road we were on in the photo above is the long straight one that you see on the left. In three loops there are a total of 100 sites.

Of course this HAD to be our first stop.

But then down to the beach. Oh what a difference in temperature and clothing a month makes!

Then a walk past the Manor house owned by Mr. and Mrs. Dun-Waters. There is a lot of history surrounding this piece of property which we are still learning about. Check out the Friends of Fintry website for more info.

One of our favourite pathways through the trembling aspen.

Through the hayfield.

The farm buildings over by Shorts Creek.

We've taken on the waterfall climb about four times now - at 400 steps it's a bit of a work out! How the Dun-Waters harnessed the falls is written about on this plaque.

We can hear the falls from our house - inside!

The falls on another day - earlier in the morning - showing the ice.

Of course at 400 steps up there is a nice view of the fields and lake beyond.

There are smaller platforms along the way and one large one at the top. We stopped for a rest and snacks. A nice picture of Derek and Cas.

A trail leads from the stairs back down to a gravel road. It offers another good view of the park. The cul de sac is the location of our three group sites.

Now down at the lake and boat launch.

We've spent a lot of time here already. Nice that Cas has even met some local friends.

Another one of our favourite areas - we can't wait until it greens up.

You just never know what you'll find hanging in a tree!

We'll be showing you a lot of the plant life here as there is such a large variety - right now the Oregon grape stands out with the red leaves. Soon they will be blooming!

We've been enjoying walking along the lake during our after dinner walks.

Derek and Cassia down by the creek the day before Cas and I left for Vancouver Island.

Flip flops! You can take the girl out of Mexico but not the Mexico out of the girl it seems.

WoW! Right!?

An interesting historically significant place, a super park and great campground. We are busy through the camping season and you can see why. It's a popular place.

A popular place that is just two days away from opening it's gates.

We've been busy getting ready for the party.

Tomorrow is the day to put the final touches on things. The park isn't totally ready as we only open one loop - 50 sites - plus we've just gotten the general clean up done. Our first employee starts with us on Friday and the three of us will continue to make Fintry shine.

It promises to be a good and interesting summer.

Teresa