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Published: February 3rd 2014
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Over the years I have met some fabulous people as I traveled around the world. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting them in their hometowns, but very few have actually made the trek to Edmonton to visit me. I first met Helen when her and Kate were staying at the same place as Eng and I in
Olympus Turkey and been able to visit with her in London a few times.
I was overjoyed when I get a message from my friend Helen from London who was looking for a last-minute adventure. With just one week notice I found a deal for $700 from London to Calgary.
Last Saturday I got up and drove three hours to pick up the lovely Helen at the Calgary airport. She arrived looking fine and fresh and I was determined to keep her awake with an action packed afternoon and evening so that she could get adjusted to the time. With a Chinook warming up cowtown – Helen was treated to 12 degree January weather and lots of sunshine.
We popped in for a cup of tea at my sister’s where she received a hand-made Valentine from my niece and watched me play
a quick game of mini-sticks hockey with my nephew. She was floored by the size of closets in Canada– so much space to put our clothes!
We set off for the 45 minute ride to Banff. This was Helen’s first time in a cold climate and I was excited her first mountain view was of theRocky Mountains. We took the
Banff gondola to the top of Sulpher Mountain. The eight minute ride was a little freaky but thankfully Helen came up with an emergency brace position plan should our little cart fall. at 2,281m, we had an amazing view of Banff and six mountain ranges.
We had a lovely prime rib dinner from the observation restaurant where Helen had her first Canadian beer and fell in love with maple butter. Up next we ripped over to the
Banff Upper Hot Springs for a relaxing soak in natural hot springs that travelers have been enjoying for more than a century.
Afterwards I did my best to explain hockey as we watched the first period of the L.A.- Anaheim outdoor NHL game on Hockey Night in Canada. Since it is nothing like rugby she was utterly confused.
Sunday we got up and
took a quick spin around the Banff Springs Hotel ( a luxury hotel that was built during the 19th century as one of Canada’s grand railway hotels) but since nothing is really old here compared to England I don’t know how impressed she was.
We drove to Lake Louise where the Ice Magic Festival was going on. We were treated to a number of internationally sculpted ice sculptures before I took her out for a spin on the ice in front of the beautiful
Chateau Lake Louise . Helen said she could skate, but she lied to me. That’s ok, I was fully entertained as she little-kid shuffled around the ice – stopping in shock every time someone ripped by us on the ice with a baby stroller.
We jumped back in the car for the next 220 km – a beautiful drive through the mountains and the Colombia Icefields. Apparently you are supposed to have winter tires to make the trek – but thankfully the sunshine and balmy -4 weather made for a lovely and safe trip to Jasper.
We arrived at the Jasper Park Lodge at 3 and I was jumping for joy when I saw our
lake-front cottage. The absolute best place to stay in Jasper – we were treated to the most comfortable kingsize bed with a view of the lake and the mountains. I was in heaven.
We had a quick bite and then watched
Stewart McLean do a taping for his Vinyl Café radio show . The Canadian icon had some pretty humorous commentary but I had to stop a few times to make sure Helen understood the stories (this included explaining what a Zamboni is).
Since we had seen nothing but a few squirrels and a couple birds since entering the park, Monday morning we got up early to head into Jasper to find some wildlife. Thankfully, a herd of elk were hanging out near the train track – we snapped a few pics before heading to a bakery where Helen indulged in another Canadian treat – a cinnamon bun.
We went for another skate, but this time doing a lap on the lake at
Jasper Park Lodge . There were huge cracks on the ice and Helen was concerned. I figured it was a stalling technique and told her if the family next two us with two toddlers on the ice felt it was safe, it was time to get
her ass out on the ice.
Our cabin view included the brightly coloured deck chairs next to the lake and Helen came up with a fabulous idea to get bikini shots in the sunshine. We suited up, grabbed the robes from our room and with the help of Robin and the JPL staff photographer, we have some hilarious shots of us enjoying the scenery in the snow wearing bikinis and winter boots. We ripped off to the heated pool and then lunch at the Emerald Lounge for some last minute indulgence before making the four hour drive intoEdmonton.
We picked up my roommate Marc and headed to I Love Sushi for dinner and then to Dairy Queen so Helen could try a blizzard. Since she loves reese peanut butter cups – she was an instant fan of the ice cream treat (even though it was – 10 degrees outside).
On Wednesday Marc took her to work and Helen was lucky enough to watch the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks practice atRexall Place. Even though she though the Sharks looked tough, she had a feeling she was going to bring the Oilers enough luck to win.
I decked her out Oilers gear and we headed to the game. We had row 7 tickets of the Oilers attacking twice for what would become a record-setting game. Ben Scrivens, a local goalie who the Oilers just picked up in a trade with the LA Kings, turned away 59 pucks on Wednesday, surpassing the previous team record of 56 saves and he secured the NHL record for most saves in a regulation shutout in the expansion era.
The place was going nuts and it was the best game of the year. Helen did bring luck – the Oilers have been 3-0 since she arrived in Canada. (I think the team should pay to keep her here on retainer).
The last few days were a whirlwind - Helen came to visit me at work (and was very excited about the Tim Hortin's across the street), she joined me for my ladies supper club where we indulged in some Mexican flavour at Cafe del Sol, she came salsa dancing and was a pro after her first lesson, and we snuck back to Cactus Club (for the 3rd time in a week) for some drinks with Sheli before getting some
dancing in for her last night in Edmonton.
Early Saturday morning, on only a few hours of sleep because Helen and I were taping dance videos of us dancing on my kitchen counter til 3 am) I dropped her off at the bus bound for the Calgary airport. I cried (well we both cried).
Helen I had such a great time with you and I was in some serious withdrawl for the rest of the weekend without you. I can't wait for you to bring the rest of the London crew back to Edmonton for a summer Alberta vacation. We'll get you some cowboy boots and get your rip-roaring drunk at a rodeo!
(Scroll down for pics of the rest of our trip)
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