Rocky 3 - Jasper here we come.

May Long Weekend - chance to catch up with the eagerly anticipated visit to Jasper.
Those in the know had suggested we would really enjoy this part of the world -  our first glimpse did not disappoint.

The top of the mountains matched my knuckles - especially with Jodie as a back seat driver!

Talk about Grizzly motorists

Once we arrived in Jasper we checked out the Jasper Tramway to get an overview of the area. The view from  the cable car and top of Whistlers Mountain was amazing. We were surrounded by an Alpine environment with views to the other peaks and valley below.

I'm glad we didn't have to walk.

Guess where this is going Dad?

Another cheesy photo!

Spraggs atop Whistlers Mountain  (2277 meters).

We finished off the day with a beverage or two and a wonderful walk around Pyramid Lake.

Product placement - I am  hoping for endorsement by Molsons.

 

Sunset over Pyramid Lake - with beauty spot!

Ladies of the Lake.

A Canadian cultural icon - the Cabin by the Lake.

Canadians have many icons; the Maple Leaf, the Mountie, Hockey, the Moose, the Rockies, the Beaver but one cultural icon which will live long in our memory is the "Cabin by the Lake". I cannot find an official number of lakes in Canada but there are reputedly 100 000 lakes in Manitoba alone. (Over 9% of Canada is covered by fresh water.). There may even be more lakes than Tim Horton outlets - although that has not been officially confirmed. 
Not every lake has accommodation on its shores, but many of the lakes we have encountered have dozens of cabins (or chalets, houses, trailers, shacks, huts, two storey mansions).
Hanneke and Jodie were fortunate enough to visit a cabin by a lake courtesy of our wonderfully friendly neighbours, Eugene and Elaine.

Chitek Lake is about 21/2 hours North East of Lloydminster.
The ladies successfully navigated their way to this delightful spot for an overnight adventure on the lake front.

Typical cabin by the lake activity - looking for pirates.

It was obvious, after just two short days  why so many Canadians love this form of relaxing and recreational escape.

And with so many lakes, types of accommodation and activities to chose from we could be visiting a cabin by the lake every day for the rest of our lives and still not leave Saskatchewan. 

Elaine and Jodie waiting for Excalibur.

The ladies patiently waiting for table service.

Tight rope walking squirrel has some incentive for success.

A week to be blown away.

When the wind blows........it blows. All week we have put up with more easterlies than Eva Longoria's hairdryer. But is hasn't been an entirely ill wind, it did blow our daughter, Jodie, over from the UK for her first visit to Canada.

Jodie has found a friend in Canada already.

And another awesome friend.

world's largest Elk paper weight.

"Dad, this is how you burn the snags"

Naturally we had to visit West Edmonton Mall and see the world's largest indoor amusement park, including the world's largest indoor tower ride. 

Look out above!

Look out below!

On Saturday Lois, a former Canadian exchangee, kindly organised a visit to a Hutterite colony in Warburg. We stopped off at Stony Plain to view the many murals around the town and visit the historic and very interesting Multicultural Heritage Centre.

Lunch at Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre - home made soup, bread and pumpkin pie - yum oh!

Our kind Hutterite tour guides.

 We were blown away by the friendliness, generosity, devotion and work ethic of these devout Christians.
A huge thank you also to Lois, David, Carolyn and Francis for their wonderful hospitality.





Naturally any visit to Edmonton would not be complete without a visit to the special "Elk Island National Park" to watch the bison play soccer, another delicious home made lunch and a wildlife walk.

Canadian soccer team in training.

No Bears picnic.

Sasquatch must be here somewhere!

And finally Hanneke was blown away by the thoughtfulness of the Bishop Lloyd staff who generously sent her a get well basket full of goodies.

How am I going to eat all this with one arm?

Moms the word on a glorious day.

Sunday 8 May - naturally we should treat Mums as special everyday but in case we forget Mother's Day is there to remind us.

What a glorious day - sun shining, only two layers of clothing and a visit to Vermilion Provincial Park which was the scene of our snow shoe adventure. How things change....

Vermilion Station - Spring

Vermilion Station - Winter

And we look forward to seeing how the scene changes in summer and Fall.

Without the hindrance of snow shoes we were able to really appreciate the provincial park. Every park we have visited has had excellent facilities, Vermilion Provincial Park is no exception: Sporting fields; camping; hiking paths; horse-, cross country skiing-, and bike trails; picnic tables; benches to enjoy the view of the beautiful river and ox-bow lake.  In addition huts where you can warm up (wood supplied) or keep out of the rain/sun.  All this on a wonderful day and we virtually had the nearly 760 hectares to ourselves.

Whilst we were wandering around we had a deja vu moment - I thought I saw a Kangaroo!!

Ear, Ear, what's this?

Big ears, brown coat, ready pose.

Dinner

Mind you the size should have given it away. It was in fact a Snow Shoe Hare.

If I can just remember where I put my nuts.

 Saturday afternoon/evening we enjoyed a very special visit to Judy and David's farm. The cattle property, just outside Lloyminster gave us an excellent opportunity to see a working farm, in addition to benefiting from David's extensive knowledge of the oil industry, Judy's wonderful hospitality and a tour around the maze of rural backblocks that only locals can share. We had a wonderful time and a real taste of Canadian friendliness and hospitality.

A 57 with attitude!

Lloydminster's rolling hills

Hanneke's elbow was also seen to last week - all good, just a few more weeks in the sling - then the physio starts.
During the visit to the Doctor we managed to sight the world's largest Buffalo Statue, an amazing piece of artwork in Camrose and a lifesize wooden pump jack.

I am not clearing up after this big fella's been.

A bear, dog, person and tree - all from scrap metal - amazing.

In praise of the good oil.

Rocky 2 - Pincher Creek and Home

Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1.

World's largest Pinchers??

Most of the rural Canadian towns we have visited take great pride in their community. Some decorate street signs with a significant feature of the area, some have murals depicting local or historic scenes and some have an icon or mascot that represents their town. Pincher Creek, a neat, well serviced town has all three.

One of the Pincher Creek murals

Which way to the rodeo?

Pincher Creek - in the shadow of the Rockies.

As we found out, spring is a transition time for the weather. Consequently the area is preparing for the summer visitors: fishing, hiking, quad biking, sight seeing and saying good bye to the winter activities: downhill and cross country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling. Despite the weather we were able to view some of the beautiful lakes, creeks and mountains with a green and white hue.

Castle Mountain - ready for hibernation

The drive home, although long, was studded with the wonderful Canadian-flag-red barns on many of the farms/ranches. The Mountain scenery gave way to the endless horizon of the prairies and finally the undulating curves of central Alberta. Some of the fields (paddocks)  were being ploughed, many were just enjoying the freedom from the five month blanket of snow. The roads were straight, wide enough and very quiet.
We have seen some big things on our travels, and although we haven't seen one yet, Canadians must have the largest  bladders in the world. We struggled to find any public wash rooms (that were open) on the roads or in towns along the way. And as Canadians know, there are not too many trees on the Prairies. We did check out some gas stations but they have to make a living and you have to purchase something to use the facilities  - so with tax, a tip and visa card service fee one ends up spending more than a penny.

As previously mentioned, we did enjoy driving through the towns and checking out the local 'mascots' :

Vauxhall -  Potato capital of the West (and home to the baseball academy - the Jets)

I think the tree could be in trouble!

Lethbridge High Level Bridge -  longest-highest steel, trestle bridge in the world.

And finally we arrived home to see something we had not seen since we arrived in Canada -
Collin and Becky's garden.

PS - To all Canadians- Happy Voting.