Fernie, Friends, Fair

On Day #2, we finished driving across BC and I waved sadly to say goodbye. On the way, we kept our eyes peeled for strange and unusual things we could take pictures of...

...like this pair of dice at pair-a-dice campground. Clever.

...like this giant oil rig (pic doesn't do it justice) with the fernie sign. Lindie and i were both quite thrilled to go to Fernie. We had both never been and had always heard about it. It did not disappoint.

...like the largest truck in the world in Sparwood, BC. If you don't think the truck really looks that big, check out me standing in front of the tire...

...like the Alberta border!

Upon arriving in Calgary, Lindie had a baseball game, so Jenn and I went out for ginger beef. We ended up having ginger beef, ginger squid and ginger chicken. It was tasty. I said bye to Jenn knowing I would say here in two weeks upon my arrival in Quebec where she would be visiting for the summer.

All in all Day #2 was great. We kind of forgot to factor in the time change while driving... but we took note of that for future days.

Creatures, Cross-Canada, Calgary

As I write this I have an incredible view Duluth, Minnesota and Lake Superior in the background. The main reason I decided to stay in Duluth on my journey (other than the fact that it was about halfway between two of my destinations), was because I knew it as a city from a board game I play, called Ticket to Ride. The city does not disappoint. It is beautiful with its brick buildings, brick roads and the views of the lake from every point.


The trip across Canada has been marvelous so far. I have seen moose, cows, bison... well, maybe they were a bit too large to actually be real, but those are the kind I like, because they don't run in front of your vehicle.


The first four nights were spent in Canada with stops along the way in Castlegar, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg. My friend Lindie joined e as a wonderful roadtrip companion for that part of the journey. Then my mom few to Winnipeg and we drove down to North Dakota to visit some relatives near Bismark. Yesterday I headed to Duluth and today I will drive through Wisconsin and Michigan on my way back to Canada.

I have been able to connect with so many people on the way and I am reminded of how incredibly blessed I am. And how many incredible people there are in the world. And that I am priveleged to know a few along the way.

Now I'm by myself and the one thing that makes me sad is that I wish I had someone to share this part with. Because the drive is beautiful. So much to see. And funny signs. And funny things I think of and tell myself (and boy do I laugh heartily).

The one downfall (besides being alone), is my indigestion issues seemed to have sprung up again. Not so fun on a roadtrip... so if you think of it, please pray for me about that. Oh, and also, if you'd like to be on my prayer email list, let me know your email and I will add you!

So for now I say good-bye to Duluth and look forward to visiting two new states that I have yet to see and hopefully I will find some more larger than life community moments along the way (those large pointless things that seem to have no purpose but to give people like me immeasurable joy).

Happy Trails!

Banff, Birthdays, Being

Birthdays are grand. Some people dread them and wish they would not come as a reminder of one's age. Yet, I think there's something incredibly wonderful about them. A celebration of LIFE. A celebration of YOU. The blessing you are the others, the blessings in one's life, and just the fact that you are alive. So I like birthdays and I like to wish people a happy birthday and to enjoy their birthdays with them.


So, when Jenn told me she was planning a party for her birthday, I was excited, because I had that weekend free to come to Calgary and celebrate as grand as we could and to fill our time with adventure and spontaneity and fun.


To dance, laugh, chat, drive, enjoy beautiful views, eat good food, freeze to death, talk until the wee hours of the morning and so on. Life is beautiful and wonderful and it is delightful to celebrate it with those you love.


I arrived Friday night and after a lot of talking, we finally drifted off to sleep. Then after wishing Jenn a happy birthday 10 million times, we went out for Dim Sum with some friends of hers and with her parents. So tasty! And fun to meet new people as well!


And I decided I need to find a dim sum place I like back home. Because it's tasty and super fun and you can try random and new things. Like when I was walking out, I noticed chicken legs and feet. Maybe next time...


After brunch, we headed to Banff with lindie. I love jokes that keep going, make themselves into new forms and then you find signs about them. A few years ago, Lindie met a guy from bible school when we were in the states. And somehow in the course of the conversation, she told him "your state is kind of dumpy." Anyway.. we have not stopped bugging her since and when we saw this sign, we thought it was absolutely perfect.


Cedric also had fun walking around Banf, but he met some menacing characters...




This toque was exceptionally warm and perhaps would have kept me far warmer than I was. Wearing really thin sweatshirts in very cold weather = dumb idea.


Lindie was so excited to go to the candy store, until she found out she couldn't buy any pez.



Banff was chilly, but stunning at every turn and fun to walk around and explore and see waterfalls. I love the excitement of being with friends on an adventure and how the possibilities of what you can do open up and every single thing that is mentioned sounds great and after a while, every sentence is started with, "Next time, let's..." I love the prospect of next time and the wonderful fun things we shall continue to do and to simply enjoy the moment and the randomness of it all.








We were turning a corner, and suddenly a whole row of elk came out of the woods! How delightful and well-timed!




And since Jenn and I have a tradition of seeing nice country churches when we're together, we decided to stop at this historic spot for a couple photos!

And of course, one must always try on animal toques and take photos when they are around.

And funny glasses would be included in that category as well.

Then after getting good and cold (which only took 5 seconds, but why not let it really sink in over a few hours?), we went to Banff Hot Springs.


It was wonderfully warm and comfortable with a nice view of trees, mountains and dusk all around.


The best part? Cedric (the gnome) joined us in the pools and helped us meet some people. Started some good conversations and they even wanted to take a picture with Cedric as well. He's a pretty popular guy.


And then we drove to Calgary into very snowy random drifts and windyness. A part of the trans-canada was even closed because it was so nasty. Then Aussie Rules, a dueling piano bar in the evening, where we met up with a bunch of Jenn's friends. I got to chat with her friend who had been to New Zealand for a few months and loved it, so it was super fun to share stories and our joint love of such a beautiful place. Made me want to go back. asap.

Sunday was a relaxing day and then we went to my friend Jacquelyn's for tea in the afternoon and then for dinner to one of my most favourite restaurants (glad I have fave restaurants in Calgary) with my cousin and her boyfriend.

Then I headed to the airport where flight delays made me happy for once in my life because I got to see my dear friend Anne who was passing through the airport on her way back to Edmonton. And after saying goodbye to her and boarding my flight, I got to see her an hour later, when I had to get off my broken plane and wait to board a different one.



All in all a delightful time in Alberta. I arrived in Saskatchewan at 2:00am in the wee hours of monday morning. -16 temperatures and snowyness welcomed me and I embraced them! And spending 3 full days with an old roommate whom I love dearly sounds delightful! I think we shall perhaps even go visit a giant moose soon!! Yippee! :)

Hope you are all enjoying your week!

Edmonton, Early, Energized

Last Thursday, when I left my house, it was starting to look like this. While I love snow, and was a bit sad to leave it, I was excited to get to the airport and fly off to the beginnings of my next adventure!


My flight left on time and after leaving the snowyland, it was a stunningly beautiful and clear day over the Rocky Mountains and with my face pressed against the window, I enjoyed the majestic beauty of some of my favourite mountains.


Absolutely stunning! I couldn't help but pull out my camera and snap a few photos...

I arrived in Calgary and went for lunch and did a bit of shopping with a friend (yay for only 5% tax!) Then Lindie, Jenn, Erin and I went to dinner theatre. The theme was 'Night at the Museum'. So there's some stuff based from the movie, but it was night at the rock museum and it was fantastic. Wonderful mix of songs, great acting and singing as per usual and the food was super tasty and the company was even better!

We have a schedule of all the upcoming ones and I hope to get out there to see those as well!

On Friday, all the flights were sold out to Edmonton (thank you grey cup), so my friend Jenn drove Lindie and I up to the frozen land of Edmonton. It's a short (ish) drive, but it was super fun!


We stopped on some side roads on the way up and found this beautiful church surrounded by snow. When Jenn and I lived in Quebec, we'd always go on church tours. So we were happy to find some nice ones in Alberta as well!


The vehicle got a bit dirty on the way up, but it was a reflection of how they sand and plow their streets there when it snows. Driving through the wintry landscapes made me wonder what it would be like to live in wintry wonderfulness for a few months at a time. It made my heart long to live a little where I could be surrounded by snow.

Upon arrival at Anne's, she had a lovely sign waiting to welcome me! How fun!

We sat by the live fire and got cozy on the couch while watching a movie. How delightful with all the snow and cold outside to be bundled and safe inside!


The next day Anne had to work, so my friend Leslie picked me up and we hung out for the day with a couple of her different friends. We even played Yahtzee which is of course always a good time.


Then the unthinkable occured as I slipped my newly purchased Edmonton Oilers Jersey on. However, I tried not to allow my face to be in too many photos.


Anne and I went out for sushi and then headed to the game against the Sharks. It was fun cheering for both teams and pretending to be oilers fans while yelling out "Go sharks!" When people would turn around, they had no idea who had yelled it because we were wearing oilers shirts... tee hee hee

This is our sharks symbol...

And the man beside us was from Wales and had had a bit too much to drink perhaps. But was entertaining nonetheless. He wanted to be in our photo, so I figured, of course, why not?





I don't know who these oilers fans are but they kept taking the camera...


The next day there was football playing in the snow before watching the grey cup (more photos to come once I get those ones from Anne...) On Monday morning I flew home and went straight to visit some of my fave little people.



That's all for now folks. More to come on my second trip to Alberta and this weekend that is full of fun!! :) Enjoy the weekend!