Launch Party at Blackstrap Lake: Heat, Games, and a Garbage Can Dinner

Paws

The sites at Blackstrap are not off-leash, but we always create a chihuahua-sized off-leash area for our three.
The other dog-friends were so well behaved and everyone had a blast. Shout out to Jury, Rogan, Maya, Oliver and Lulu for joining us.
Note to Sarah: if there is water, Rogan will swim
Note to Tracy: if there is even a tiny crack in the dog fence Auggy will find it

Breathe

fire ban meant making the garbage can dinner on propane for the first time (worked perfectly)
Finding shade in a wide open field is harder than you think (thanks to Eileen for spending hours trying to create some)
We booked the extra night too late and had to move campsites on Sunday
If you build it friends and family will come
Wasps suck, like really suck but Eileen is great wasp bait (sorry Lavs)
Start the music early, nobody wants to play until someone starts playing

Pay it forward

Reach out for the garbage can dinner “recipe” if you are doing a big dinner in a campground it is amazing
Thanks to the crew who stuck around and helped us move the fence from the party campsite to the chill campsite
If you are looking for a great site to host a group at blackstrap we were in the Kevin Misfeld loop at the very end. It had water access and was spectacular for all the games and shenanigans.

Hey everyone!

We’re officially on the road, and before we dive into the chaos of our first week on the open highway, we just had to share our unforgettable launch party at Blackstrap Lake. If you’re picturing a serene lakeside gathering with cool breezes and picturesque sunsets, think again. Instead, imagine us braving the blazing heat, hosting friends and family, and cooking dinner in a garbage can. Yes, you read that right.

The Heat Was On

Blackstrap Lake was beautiful—if you don’t mind that it felt like we were having a barbecue in the middle of a sauna. Temperatures soared into the high 30s, and the sun blazed down like it had a personal vendetta against us. We set up camp, put out the snacks, and tried to pretend we weren’t melting. But you know what they say: nothing brings people together like shared suffering!

Entertainment All Day

Despite the weather, our friends and family were all in high spirits, and we managed to have a blast with some fun games.

Beersby: The afternoon saw several teams pair up. To take each other on, and while it looked heated at times (did you catch that – LOL) they seemed to have a great time.
Chasing the shade: Yes, it was too hot to actually stand outside, so we managed to find a sliver of shade close to the lake and literally moved with the sun for the afternoon.
The Guitars came out: If you missed the concert, sorry about your luck. The show starred John the Rockstar husband Laverty, Eileen Laverty, Terry Laverty, Greg Hargarten and Darrell Burko on guitars with the rest of us searching for the right key in vocals.

Dinner Drama: Cooking in a Garbage Can

Now, let’s talk about the pièce de résistance of the evening: cooking dinner in a garbage can. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, and no, it’s not as weird as it sounds when you’re camping.

We decided to bring back our favourite crowd-pleasing “hobo dinner” in a garbage can. We searched the campground high and low (actually may have done a little dumpster diving) but finally got enough ‘pop’ cans to fill the bottom of the steel garbage can. After that we packed in potatoes, corn on the cob, carrots in tinfoil and delicious sausage. Once we had it full of food we popped on top of the portable propane fire pit and let it cook for the afternoon. The idea is that the garbage can acts like an oven. We’re happy to report that, despite the slightly dubious method, the results were delicious! The sausage was tender, the veggies were perfectly roasted, and the entire meal tasted like a victory over the heat.

The temperature cooled down a bit as the evening progressed, and we were treated to a spectacular sunset. We laughed, swapped stories, and toasted to new beginnings with s’mores (thanks to Niamh and Lyra) and not just a few cold drinks.

Closing Thoughts

The launch party at Blackstrap Lake was everything we hoped for and more—a perfect blend of chaos, laughter, and unforgettable moments. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us, braved the heat, and celebrated our new adventure.

Now, with our motorhome officially road-tested and our spirits high, we’re ready to hit the road and start exploring. Stay tuned for more updates, travel tales, and the occasional photo of our chihuahuas looking unimpressed by yet another new experience.

Here’s to new adventures and making memories—one hot, hilarious dinner at a time!