Bleriot Ferry Camping Trip

So after celebrating the roommate's birthday on the Friday, I groggily hopped in my car on the Saturday to drive 2 1/2 hours south to the city of Drumheller to meet up with my friends Paisley and Denise.

The weather was hot, sunny and gorgeous as we headed west outside of Drumheller to the Bleriot Ferry crossing over the Red Deer river. On the other side of the river was our destination: the Bleriot Ferry campground. I can't remember the last time I was on a ferry (probably when I was about 8 or so) but the novelty didn't wear off each time we crossed the river by ferry (Denise would've rather had a bridge built).

We scored the best campsite ever, nicely shaded, lots of space, right on the riverbanks with our own full complement of wildlife (rabbits, chipmunks and coyotes). Once we got set up our days were spent either sitting around the fire visiting or rolling around the countryside in Paisley's Jeep (way-to rock out on the cooler Denise!).

Camping on a long weekend still has to be one of my favourite past-times. What did you do for your weekend?

Happy birthday Natalie!

Friday we celebrated my roomie's birthday. Happy 32nd birthday Ms. Natalie ~ you definitely know how to light up a room and bring the party!

Edmonton Fantastic #3 - Festival City

Edmonton has the well earned title of "Festival City" in the summertime. From Freewill Shakespeare in the Park, the Honda Edmonton Indy, Taste of Edmonton and Capital Ex to HeritageFest, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the Edmonton Fringe Festival, residents of Edmonton are spoiled for choice of activities all summer long. In fact, sometimes there's TOO much choice (I'm just saying....)!

This weekend I took in Freewill Shakespeare in the Park with my friend Sarah who happens to be on the board of directors. I studied Shakespeare for a semester in uni and I've seen his plays brought to life in many different ways and venues but watching Much Ado About Nothing in Hawrelak Park yesterday was probably my favourite. (Many thanks Sarah for the ticket and for the gorgeous afternoon of Shakespeare).

After the performance in the park I drove to Fort Saskatchewan to my friends Melanie and Gerald's for a BBQ with their friends Chris and Peter. On my drive north to Ft. Saskatchewan bad weather was building and by the time I arrived at Mel and Gerald's I was trapped in my car for about 15 minutes while it poured and hailed on me.

Once the weather cleared we were able to enjoy some great company, fantastic weather and tasty eats on on the back patio. This week I'll be heading down to Taste of Edmonton, so look for photos from that too.

The best weekends are these

The best weekends are the ones that are loosely planned but always involve good friends. This weekend I had some great friends in Edmonton from Saskatoon to do a bit of shopping but also to do a whole lot of visiting.

These are the moments I enjoy the most, hanging out around a firepit at night. Thanks Blythe, Dale and little man for the visit!

Some pretty things

With all of the photos I've been taking for specific events I'm always left with a bunch that are pretty but don't quite fit anywhere. So here they are - in no particular order - but mostly dealing with the gorgeous Saskatchewan prairie near my family's home.

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

This is what it has been billed as for the past 98 years and I'm inclined to agree with them. After spending a Thursday chatting with up and coming PR students at Mount Royal University, I spent the rest of Friday, Saturday and Sunday enjoying the kick off to the 2010 Calgary Stampede.

This annual event has a rodeo, chuckwagon races, country music performers, agricultural shows, handicraft displays, a carnival/midway and no end of other sights, sounds, smells and deep fried foods to enjoy for the 10 days that it is on each July.

I couldn't resist spending some time rediscovering my cowgirl side as my last Stampede was 2007 as I was planning my trip to Australia. I brushed the dust off my cowboy boots and my straw hat and hit the town with my fantastic friends Courtney, Paisley, Denise, Jason and Sean.

2010 didn't disappoint as we hit the local hot spots by day and night, crashed a few pancake breakfasts, wandered the Stampede grounds, took in the spectacular kick-off parade and enjoyed the fireworks at night.

As promised I've been playing with my new camera and have some video of the parade to share as well as photos of all the fun.