Banff and Stanley Glacier

The one thing that is definitely missing from the Edmonton skyline is the sight of mountains in the distance. It is the one thing that I've given up and that I miss moving from Calgary to Edmonton.

An adventure to Banff has been on my list all summer and I finally connected with my friends Dave and Amy to come out and visit them. The weather looked like it was going to be  lovely so we made plans for a Saturday afternoon hike after lunch with friends Bonnie and Curtis.

 Still waters in Banff as we go for a walk

We headed down Highway 93 on the way to Radium Hot Springs; Stanley Glacier is located in Kootenay National Park. Years ago I had camped near this trail - a forest fire had ripped through the area in the early 2000s. It still looks stark with grey. dead trees standing at attention.

The hike started off innocently enough - a graveled trail switching back higher and higher amongst the small shrubs, moss and flowers that are transitioning from summer to fall colours. We went from graveled trail to soft marsh-like trail as we a crossed rapidly running creek. The air grew colder as we passed further into the mountains and the trail grew rockier and the climb much steeper.

 Amy and Dave

 Fall colours on the hike

 Into the wild

 I'm betting this creek was glacier fed

Finally we were rewarded with the best view in the house - Stanley Glacier in the distance. We would've kept hiking the trail, wanting to get ever close to the elusive blue ice and snow but we had to admit we were beat and hungry and ready to head home.

What we came to see - Stanley Glacier (to your right)

 Enough time to sit, grab our breath, share an energy bar and head back down

It is always a peaceful experience when I go to the mountains and I thank Dave and Amy again for showing me a new corner of their backyard playground.

Labour Day long weekend camping with the girls

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder and the opportunities to head out on a camping trip are dwindling down to but a few.

Labour Day long weekend can run one of two ways - it can be beastly hot or frigidly cold. Hoping for the former instead of the latter Paisley, Denise and I set out for one of our annual girls weekend camping trips. This year we chose the pretty location of Rochon Sands provincial park, nestled on the banks of Buffalo Lake, half-way between Edmonton and Calgary, just east of Red Deer.

It wasn't the coldest Labour Day long weekend camping trip I've had (there was snow in 2009), but this trip certainly wasn't pleasant. There was wind (see flat tents), there was rain, there were angry wasps and also food poisoning. But we had nice neighbours and amazing scenery. Add in fantastic company and it was a win in my books. Thanks again Paisley and Denise, let's do it again next year!

 

That's right Pais was rockin' the mom van this weekend!

 

The wind knocked poor Pais & Denise's tent over

 

The blue moon / harvest moon was so pretty at night

 

And the sunrises were equally impressive

Five years later - Mount Royal University PR reunion

Sometimes it feels like we just graduated yesterday. In reality this summer marks five years since we crossed the stage at Mount Royal University (then College) with newly minted public relations degrees. Five years, many miles, job changes, life changes and all - we met in Calgary to celebrate.

Thank you so much to my classmate and good friend Andrea for helping organize a fantastic Saturday. While the Team Jim and Team Janice slow-pitch tournament never saw the light of day it was so fantastic to plan this event with you.

Thank you Lindsey, Elana, Kelsey, Sarah, Jason and Amanda for traveling many miles to get together. To the rest of the class who couldn't make it, your presence was truly missed. I hope we can all get together sometime in the near future.

To another five years and even more personal and professional success!

Amanda and Mat

Andrea, Jason and Amanda

Elana and Sarah

Kelsey and Lindsey

The two Andreas

Lindsey and Joshua

Mat, me and Will

Village of the Fringed

Fall is in the air in Edmonton. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting chillier and back to school signs are everywhere.

This city leaves the best for last when it comes to festivals (in my honest opinion). Last Thursday the Fringe Festival kicked off in Edmonton and we've been celebrating near record-breaking temperatures (+34 with the humidity today) along with greasy sweet food, buskers, street operas, plays and all things weird and on the fringe.

I spent the weekend Fringe'ing away with my good friend Leisa - she graduated high school with my sister and we used to hang out together when I lived in Calgary. We had two very full days of plays, street performers, streetcar rides, elephant ears, mini-donuts and all other things to delight the eyes, ears and taste buds.

One of the main characters in this play was my server the other night. A must see!

I'll be Fringe'ing all week as well (I scored tickets to some great plays - thanks @MarlowMoo) and already Leisa and I are scheming how we can either volunteer for the Fringe next year or plan a week of holidays so we can see all the plays we want to.

Buskers beat boxing and rapping

The ladies in yellow in the background have "Free Hugs" shirts on!

BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) - this was the Holy Trinity Church

Somehow Leisa ended up participating in this show

Our ride downtown was on this streetcar

Our ride back was on this beauty - a 1912 Edmonton original

I never tire of this view

This is probably my favourite time of year. One last kick at summer enjoyment before fall, school work and winter start to close in.

Fourth annual Meatfest

Another gorgeous weekend in Alberta and another new camping destination for me. It was the fourth annual Meatfest gathering with my friends Mike and Angie and their family, and my friends Jody and Elaine and their family. We met at Marie Lake this year which is just a stone's throw away from Cold Lake, our usual Meatfest home.

This year was extra fun because we had baby Beck along for the fun. Even teething this little guy is the most good-natured baby I've ever seen. He was such a good boy and it was neat to see him exploring his surroundings.

Beck likes to drive the boat

Bubble time

We tried fishing and while there were lots of bites for some, not one of us ended up catching a fish big enough to keep. What a bummer! No matter - we still had fun swimming, going for walks, sitting around the campfire and playing games with the kids.

I always enjoy these camping get-aways to catch up with friends I don't get to see often. I am really looking forward to the fifth Meatfest installment next year - Hawaiian luau here we come! Thanks again Jody, Elaine, Mike and Angie for a fabulous weekend.

 Squirrel!!

 Sunrise through the trees, truly gorgeous

S'mores a new way - in a waffle cone!