We first began to notice that something was happening when the campground began to fill up. Earlier in the week, Monday/Tuesday, we, and maybe one or two other RVers, were all that were here. But then on Wednesday, and especially on Thursday, they began to come. By Friday night the campground was full. As we talked to people out on the trail we learned that this is Canada's Thanksgiving weekend, celebrated in almost the same way we do with family get-togethers and a big Thanksgiving dinner, usually featuring turkey and the same kind of traditional side dishes that we, in the U.S., enjoy.
I would like to go on record as saying that I think celebrating Thanksgiving at the beginning of October is a far superior and sensible time for this most important holiday. It is close to the fall harvest, and a decent time after summer vacations, and, most importantly, separated from Christmas so there's no burn-out for the cook. Plus, it is just a pleasant time for family get-togethers. We also learned that many families enjoy Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday even though the actual "Thanksgiving Day" is on Monday. Another sensible approach, have the big dinner on Sunday and then enjoy left-overs on Monday, Thanksgiving Day - the cooks will be very thankful!
Take, for instance, the Cronkhite Family headed by Darcy Cronkhite and his wife Carol. The weather the past few days has been extremely windy and it turned colder and we had some rain overnight into this morning. Since we were home today, getting ready to move tomorrow, we noticed people visiting back and forth between two RVs parked across the road from us. When we came back from doing the laundry in town, we noticed a group siting outside one of the RVs laughing, talking and just having a good time together. I thought, "How Canadian! Enjoying being together and not letting the weather deter them from being outside."
Members of the Cronkhite Family toasting being together and Thanksgiving.
I got the camera and went over to introduce myself and ask if I could take their picture because, to me, they just seemed to typify Canadians - outside, enjoying life, all bundled up in parkas, down jackets, hats and mittens. They readily agreed to a picture ("As long as it won't be on eBay, or something like that."). I told them that we do a daily blog and would probably post this picture, and that was okay with them. We gave them one of our cards and told them we would probably post the picture today.
A short time later there was a knock on our door and Carol came by with written information about the family. It turns out that there are 4 RVs full of Cronkhites here in the campground. Three across the road from us and one next to us. They come to Waterton every year, on the Thanksgiving weekend, to be together. They have a cabin in town that has been in their family for over 70 years - that's where they have dinner.
Pictured above is Carol, second from the right, and, I think, Darcy is seated on the far left. Others in the picture are daughter Linda, her husband Troy Yancie from Foremost, AB and their daughters Rayna, Kam...(sp?) and Corryn. (The kids are off riding their bicycles around the campground.) Also daughter Randi, husband Ian Martens from Coaldale, AB. Ian is a photographer at the Lethbridge Herald. And, son Cody with his wife Aspen and their children; son, Jaylen, daughters Jacey and Brylee.
The Cronkhites farm (Darcy, Carol and son Cody & family) near Warner, Alberta. They raise wheat, oats, barley and canola and raise Simmental/Red Angus cattle. Their home is approximately 30 miles northwest of the Coutts/Sweetgrass border crossing with the U.S., not too far from Waterton.
We are so happy to have met the Cronkhite Family and wish them a very happy Thanksgiving!!
Late this afternoon we finished up our stay in Waterton by hiking up the Bears Hump trail that begins behind the Waterton Ranger Station and climbs the mountain slopes to a spectacular overlook.
View of Waterton Lake and Townsite with the lake stretching southward into the United States. You may be able to make out the campground in the middle of the picture. (Click on the picture to make it larger.)
Looking west, views up Carthew Creek where the Akamina Parkway takes you into the backcountry.
With the telephoto lens we were able to get a picture of the full campground and the Airstream just below the middle of the picture. The 5th wheel next to us and the three RV just above us belong to the Cronkhite family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly nice to meet you! I hope your travels are meaningful, exciting, and restful all at the same time! Have a great day!
ReplyDelete- Randi -