So, back in August I made the decision to move out of Crowsnest Pass where I had lived for 5 years and move back to the Calgary area and, more specifically, into my 30 foot 5th wheel trailer. When I contacted the campground where I am staying, I was told that I would be able to have a full service site for the winter, so that sounded good to me. I made the move without looking back.

More than anything, I missed the city. I missed the conveniences of the city. I missed going to “chain” restaurants. I missed a short drive to Costco.

I loved the mountain air and the scenery in Crowsnest Pass, it really can’t be beat. After 5 years, I knew it was time for a change. The dogs and I made the move at the end of August and settled in. I umpired throughout September for Babe Ruth Calgary, that is something else that I really missed doing. Fall Ball wasn’t as good as I was hoping, so I was actually glad when it was over. The quality of the baseball was sub-par. Oh well, it will be better in the Spring / Summer season.

Towards the end of September, I was told that I would not be able to get a full service site. OK, not good… I didn’t want to be without water and sewer over the winter. So, I scrambled and found another campground and drove over with the dogs for a visit.

I was told that I could definitely have a full-service site for the winter, so I put a deposit down for a month and was set to move in before my planned trip to Ontario.

A week before I was set to move my trailer, I went back to pay for the month. I was then told that they didn’t have any full service sites for the winter. The clerk also argued with me that the other people who work there wouldn’t have told me otherwise. Well, sorry, that’s bullshit. Someone else from the park that I am in also was told the SAME thing – so, she either out and out lied to both of us, or doesn’t know her job, at all. There was no way I was going to pay almost $400 more a month for this new park for, basically, paved roads – that was literally the ONLY upgrade between parks.

So, I figured I would look at heated water and wastewater tanks, and pay for a pump out service and get water service by filling my fresh water tank. In the meantime, I started looking for a house – the prices were sort of shocking.

I did go to look at one place that was quite large, but VERY remote and decided before looking at the actual house that I would not be living there. It was actually more remote than Crowsnest Pass. I had enquired about another place and got a very quick reply that it was already pending rental but that she’d let me know if something happened, so I didn’t expect to hear back.

Fast forward to this past Friday, I received an email from the landlady and the renter that was supposed to me in fell through and was I still interested. I said yes for sure and the dogs and I went to visit this past Sunday. I was immediately impressed.

It’s a basement suite, but unlike a lot of basement suites I’ve seen, this one had 10 foot ceilings. It’s 2 bedrooms, partially furnished and, of course, pet friendly.

So, I decided to proceed with it and submitted my application. I talked to my former landlord and told him that someone may be talking to to him about my 5 years in his place. He told me that she had already called and he gave me a great reference. On Tuesday evening, I received a text message from my Boss that she had contacted him for a work reference and he confirmed that, yes, I work for IBM. I then received a message confirming that my application was accepted and that I will be able to move in on December 15.

I am really looking forward to having running water and a working toilet. Those are things that we take for granted, but, for me in the last month, I have NOT been able to take it for granted. My trailer experiment was good, for the most part. If I had water and sewer, I would be willing to stay for the winter, but, with the current conditions, this is my best option for sure.

So, as of December 15, I will be living in Airdrie Alberta and I have really started to like this city. I am looking forward to getting to know it better. Wish me luck. 🙂