Edmonton

Well folks, I have to tell you this campgrounds is a different experience.  Its big, I think almost 600 sites.  A good number of them, probably half and people who are living here while they work.  This is home.  Result is a huge number of great big, powerful pickup trucks.  Almost red-neck country.  Lots of toys like ATV’s, motorcycles, and so on.  The rest of the people come in off the highway with some of biggest, hardest to maneuver rigs I’ve ever seen.  Result is that by nightfall (11pm) the place looks like a totally undisciplined parking lot at a huge country fair.

We are in a space which we thought was a little short of our 24 ft rigs.  Next to us is a diesel powered monstrosity of a motorhome, 41 ft - and they tow a pickup truck.  Its sticking out into the road so everyone has to go around it.  It’s a neat place.  An experience.  Turns out its owned by a Prince Edward Islander, a Mol. Met people from all over, including Nova Scotia.

I’m amazed at how many travellers are heading for Alaska.  Bet that the Alaska Highway is steady traffic - Rvs and trucks.

It was Jack’s birthday on Tuesday so Pat and Gordon took us back across the city and out to dinner.  Had ribs at Tony Roma’s - not a bad choice for vegetarians to make for us.  Afterwards we went over to their place for a while, then back here.

Next day Carol and Russ, and Jack and I had breakfast at the restaurant here then caught a cab to West Edmonton Mall.  I was no more impressed than the last time we were there, so Jack and I spent the last 3 hours, after lunch, sitting in the food court people watching.  C&R enjoyed it though and it was good to spend a day with them in Edmonton.  Patty has a two-seater van with bucket seats so there is no room for C&R to come with us. They didn’t call their family until we got here, so they are away and they haven’t ventured out on their own.  Say they enjoy just relaxing in the park.  We feel a bit bad but........

Thursday Pat and Gorden picked us up and we went to a museum with a restaurant in it in Stoney Plains for lunch.  It was nice, and interesting as well.  Then we went to Alberta Beach for a look see.  A lot of driving, and jack got all off kilter with his eating.

Friday they picked us up again and this time we headed to Buck Lake for lunch.  A one hour drive, turned into a 2 ½ so once again Jack is way of schedule.  Beautiful country, but this place was almost a Rocky Mountain House where we go on Monday when we leave.  Anyway left there for Pigeon Lake, then on the way home grocery store.

Interesting.  We are finding it difficult to buy the gallon size jugs of water here.  When we do get them they are three times the cost of the same thing in PEI.  I am blown away with the cost of food and such here.  Before we head to Banff on Monday we are going to hit a Walmart and stock up.  Actually we find food expensive, and restaurant as well.  Wages might be good, but so are costs of staples.  Gas is $.92-5 a litre so cheaper than home.

Once again Jack didn’t get lunch until late. And of course we had another time change. Result is he is all off kilter, so not feeling well, irritable and generally a not-so-nice person as usual.  He is over tired as well.  Tonight we have a family bbq at his niece’s place.  They are now an hour late picking us up, so it doesn’t bode well for the evening.  

The weather has been up and down.  Sunny, cloud, rain and such.  Our ride arrived so we headed off to the family gathering.  The weather turned darker and rain hit just after we arrived but it was OK, they had put tarps us in the yard, hanging from trees and the deck, etc.  So we stayed dry, the fire kept burning in the pit and a good time was had by all even with the thunder storm that rolled through.  The party was at Dawn’s (Pat’s daughter) and all of the Edmonton branch of the family came.  We had a good natter, participated in a Batchee?? Ball tournament of sorts which got everyone involved in tossing little balls around and trying to hit them with big balls.  Fun.  Food was awesome.  

We got back to camp just before dark - that’s 11 pm in Edmonton these days.  Today we stocked up on groceries, did laundry and stuff then lazed about enjoying the great outdoors, people (and motorhome) watching and just plain relaxing.  Pat, Gordon, Glen and family arrived about 4 pm for a continuation of last nights gab fest.  After they left we packed up and will be hauling out after an early breakfast tomorrow.

Yay - Its bacon and egg day!!!!   Heading for Banff via Rocky Mountain House.

Jack seems to be back in good form after being off for a few days.  I’m thinking of forgiving him for being so darn cranky.  All is well.

Hope it’s the same for all of you.  More next time

Julie - Remember if you want to get in touch email us at julie@seacroftpei.com