Damp conditions but not dampened spirits during wet Victoria Day weekend

Victoria Day weekend is typically the unofficial kickoff to summer, marked by hot weather, time spent outdoors and perhaps finishing with fireworks in the evening.

It hasn’t felt that way this year, thanks to the recent cold and wet weather. Late last week, a storm of freezing rain knocked out power to a large section of eastern Saskatchewan.

However, damp conditions don’t need to mean dampened spirits for those spending the weekend at campsites.

“It is just fine as long as you’re set up for it,” said Joe Degenhardt, who trekked into a campsite outside Regina from the Yorkton area.

On Saturday, Regina reached a daytime high of eight degrees, with the low dropping near the freezing mark. The average high for this time of year is around the 20 C mark. Showers are in the forecast for both Sunday and Monday.

He had everything he needed to stay comfortable, like blankets, a heater and also some space.

Degenhardt is in town to do some renovations on his adult children’s homes and never considered staying in a hotel.

For one, camping means he can easily walk his dog. It also means roasting marshmallows and wieners.

“We can sit around our propane fire. Because there were fire bans on but now after the rain, it’s OK,” he said.

It’s also easy on the pocketbook as Degenhardt estimates the cost of his stay is about $50 per night.

“People do this because they just bring an extension of their own homes to wherever they’re going,” he said.

If there’s one part of his weekend that has been disrupted, it’s his plans to go car shopping.

“I think the colder weather has also cooled off my desire to go out and spend some money,” he said.