http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , Canada , Alberta en-us Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:07:02 +0000 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:07:02 +0000 Early start up at 0600 as we are going to Cochrane for 5k run and Duathalon On the road by 0640 stopped for muffins and coffee at the local breakfast bar At Cochrane we met Shelly Ben Eric Age 8 and Matthew Age 10Carl and Colleen39s daughter husband and family. Matthew and Ben were entered in the 5k race. Melody was entered in the duathalon ruuning 6k cycling 37k the running 10k. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff/blog-791943.html Today we set off towards the Rocky Mountains. We drove to Airdrie where we stopped and viewed some very large camper vans and caravans RV39s and Trailers talk about everything but the kitchen sink But at least the fridge in our new van was alike. On then to Cross Iron Mills Bass Pro Shop. Wow One for you Jason guns fishing anything and everything that an outdoor person would require. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Canmore/blog-791939.html Thurs 13th June64 today Easy morning packing for our move to Edberg. Colleen drove us to the farm and Rod was loaded onto a huge John Deere sprayer to sit by Carl who was spraying a 160 acre field. Good chatty dinner with Colleen and then a meals on wheels service to Carl at the sprayer. A trip around Edberg a hamlet no shop or school. Return to the farm for birthday cake Delicious home ma http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/blog-791934.html It has rained overnight. Further north form us at Fort MacMurray they have had floods we are again on tornado watch and experienced a heavy thunderstorm at lunchtime. Gail is off to a meeting in the afternoon and evening so we are heading for the local Chinese restaurant this town of 800 inhabitants has everything http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Daysland/blog-791931.html Jasper was our first stop back in Alberta and we decided to stay for a day.Normally in the past when we visited Jasper weve stayed at the Jasper Park Lodge but that didnt make as much sense travelling with 4 adults 3 dogs and 2 children. So we drove around town until we found Tekarra Lodge where we could have our own individual cabins.Ours was the tiniest coziest little cabin you ha http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Jasper/blog-791574.html It39s funny how little time it takes for all of the negative aspects of a trip or memories to fall away. When I left Italy just a few short weeks ago I was very ready to say goodbye and return to the comforts of Canada and to see all of my much missed family. I felt that I had gained all that I needed from the trip and seen what life had to offer there for me. Of course at the time I felt a s http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Calgary/blog-791563.html Tues 11thJune A quiet day we spent a couple of hours with Gails Mum and Dad enjoying a good natter and reminiscences of their earlier lives. We had lunch at the cafe in the town. As soon as your coffee mug is empty they fill it up and they have chips with gravy. The locals are also amused that we use a knife and fork to eat a burger. A good walk on the Crocus Trail and we saw the redwing http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Daysland/blog-790991.html Sun 9thJuneToday we spoke to the Spicers on Face Time good to see you allThis is the day that we went to the community hall and met over 30 members of the family A good lunch and lots of chatter. Everyone has been so kind and so welcoming to meet their cousin from the UK. Tomorrow we are heading off to discover more about the Cameron family around Neilberg and Lashburn in Saskatchewan. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Daysland/blog-790609.html The Banff Centre serves a great buffet breakfast which we shared with other conference attendees. Then Wayne went off to his sessions and I walked to town for some window shopping. I also went to the Cascade Gardens but only pansies were planted yet. It39s hard to remember how late the spring comes here.At noon I took advantage of an aerobics class Anything Goes with weights bands and http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-790451.html Sat 8thJuneThe ReynoldsAlberta Museum was our destination. There was a display of classic cars plus a museum of transportation aviation agriculture and industry. So much to see And some of the cars Wow Interesting Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame www.cahf.ca 18000 Canadian aircrew lost their lives in WWII. Entry was free for seniors so we splashed out and enjoyed burgers and mini donuts. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Wetaskiwin/blog-790256.html Fri 7thJuneWe drove for 2 hours Always tell how long it will take not mileage in Canada to Edmonton. We arrived at the West Edmonton Mall the largest shopping mall in Canada Rod was SO looking forward to it However he spent the most dollars There are hundreds of shops plus an indoor ice rink a lagoon with a replica of the Santa Maria sea lions a huge pool with beach water slide http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Edmonton/blog-790237.html Thurs 6 JuneSlept well bacon and eggs for breakfast.Blue sky and warm. Talked And did we TalkAfter lunch we walked down to Aunt Sallys and Uncle Al who are Gails Mum and Dad. Avery pleasant afternoon reminiscing about the family in Canada.After supper we walked Daysland and yes the mosquitoes were biting. Early to bed to get rid of the jet lag. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Daysland/blog-790232.html Wed 5 JuneThe day has arrived all packed Bindy and Tony collected us at 1000. We said our au revoir to Barney. He knew something was up A good journey to terminal 3 at Heathrow. We found the self check in a bit challenging but once it was done it was a piece of cake We had a coffee with B T made our farewells and then made our way to departures. Booked into the Maple Lounge where there w http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Edmonton/blog-790071.html Once again taking advantage of our Spring Special deal at Bayshore Resort we enjoyed a hearty buffet breakfast including lots of fresh fruit and makeyourown waffles. This was an especially good deal given that a fruit cup alone in the adjacent coffee shop cost 9 Advice for campers or any tourists coming to Waterton Lakes you might want to stop at Pincher Creek on your way in and stock up o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Waterton-Lakes-National-Park/blog-789904.html Waking up to bright sunlight in our room we looked forward to Colleen39s breakfast at Highwood Views BB. We were not disappointed. Fruit yogurt French toast and even a homemade grape syrup along with the traditional maple. All while enjoying the view of snow capped mountains behind the grazing cattle just outside our window.As we were packing up the car to leave we noticed other things mov http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/High-River/blog-789702.html June 3 Boston to Calgary. Loaded the car in pouring rain and had twohour drive to Logan arriving about 9 to find our flight to Montreal was delayed by an hour. Fortunately still made our connection and had time for Tim Horton39s lunch before the long flight to Calgary. We had seats with TV screens on the Air Canada flight. Yay Enjoyed the movie Parental Guidance Billy Crystal Bette Midd http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Calgary/blog-789655.html I forgot the Canmore pictures Here they are http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Canmore/blog-789150.html We have been in Calgary for a month now working.What a different life the weather is all over the place and mostly cool I am working indoors on a computer again wearing shoes and we live in a highrise downtown. A big change from Fort Pierce for sureWe have a marvelous apartment about three blocks south of Calgary39s downtown center. We are on the 22nd floor facing WNW but a little bit of http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Calgary/blog-789095.html Hello allI recently posted that I will be going to Mexico very shortly here well in addition to that I39m also planning on going on another trip at the end of August. This trip will be another onceinalifetime experience. For two weeks I will be spending time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua working with local doctors in remote villages to set up free mobile clinics providing critical health http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Calgary/blog-789066.html I39m going to leave this as my introductory pretrip post.I have one week left before my trip and four shifts left until I39m unemployed for the first time since I was fifteen. A bit odd that I39m not sure if I39ll be able to find a job as quickly as I need for school when I get back.I have no idea even what I39m doing next year. Currently I39m enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts pro http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Edmonton/blog-788520.html