Because Eventually I Have To Die, Maybe
Trips Sightseeing and More
And I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time
Jun 10th
Alright, so it’s Tuesday. Riveting, I know. Well it is for me, because it marks two more days until my surprise birthday trip (have I even mentioned that?) and like…10 days?… (this is me being too lazy to count) until my month long Eastern extravaganza. The surprise birthday vacation is Adam taking me to an unspecified (and as far as I know completely unplanned at this point) location to celebrate me turning 22. I have no idea where we are going, not a clue. We kind of went over a list of places that would be acceptable and unacceptable (Edmonton being at the top of the “unacceptable” list and Hollywood being at the top of the acceptable list), but that’s as much as I know. Well I do know we’re not flying to anywhere except within Canada since Adam does not have his passport. My guess is Vancouver since he keeps bringing it up. We leave Thursday night or Friday morning and come back Monday, I know that much too! Ah well, it’ll just be nice to go somewhere with Adam. We had a ton of fun on our Montanarama trip!
And only 10 day to go until the much hyped trip to the Eastern part of this continent. As has been discussed I will be crossing a ton of things off of my list and having a massive amount of fun. Notable: I’ll be in Montreal during Jean Baptiste Day. I’ll have to learn what that is before I go, but I’m assuming it’s some awesome white French dude who did something super French and now they use him as an excuse to drink (to fit in, I will be sure to use this excuse as well).
There’s tons to do before I go, such as go pretend I’m an 1890′s textile striker with my mom and getting all the hair ripped out of my legs and lady parts so I don’t have to think about what a hippie I look like while I am on vacation.
Oh! I get to pick up my passport tomorrow, which will allow me to actually use the other website Mr. Adam got me internationalhobo.ca. That’s my new career aspiration. Anyways, I was supposed to get it today, I paid the 10 bucks to have it available to pick up at the office and all. But I’ll be downtown tomorrow anyways, so I’ll go then. And then I can show off my HIDEOUS passport photo. /too excited.
A Much Belated Homage to Banff
Jun 2nd
Alright, this is just ridiculously overdue. Two weeks and then some! My own laziness is what is to blame! I should have blogged about this so long ago, I’m just sad that it took me so long. There’s really no excuse, I haven’t been up to much lately, just sitting around not doing much of anything. Reading a lot to make up for the sad lack of reading that took place in April.
Anyways. The trip was excellent. I went with J, my friend who lives in Guelph whom I visited not too long ago. He was supposed to be coming in for work, but his work moved his schedule around a little, but he decided to come out anyways, and since he missed the mountains invited me to tag along. He was lucky enough to score a hotel in Banff (on a long weekend no less), so our trip to Banff (only a few hours outside of Calgary) wouldn’t have to be excessively short.
The drive still took a while and there was a considerable lineup to get into the National Park (plus a hefty fee, of course). But we were full of Annie’s breakfast and had some snacks we picked up from Superstore (a plug just for you J!). Our first stop along the way was some dinky lake just outside of the Park gates. I’m not sure what it is called, put there’s always lots of cars there, we we decided to pull over as well and take a gander. I love how it’s this gorgeous lake against the mountains, and that’s where they decided to stick a huge ugly factory. Wonderful! We took some pictures, realized the lake was fairly lame and it was all foreigners there who had no idea that the lake certainly was not representative of the actual splendor of the Rocky Mountains! 
After the dinky lake, we decided we’d haul ass up to Lake Louise. I truly, honestly, and
fully did not expect the lake to still be frozen. That was stupid, because why wouldn’t a mountain lake still be frozen in early May? It was sort of disappointing, really, it lacked all of it’s character colour and was just a cold white icy blob up against some mountains. We only were there for a bit, which was sad because of the amount of time it took to drive there and back, but the glare from all of the white iciness and all of the tourists were just a bit much to handle. Plus, all there is to do there is look at the lake and walk around, but you can’t do either of those when everything is still under snow and ice. Ah well.
We eventually made it back to Banff, where our hotel was. Though J had given me an ominous warning that we were to be staying at the Banff Voyager Inn that put me off a bit, I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel. It was basic, but it had something I have never experienced before: a balcony! Not only did it provide a nice cool place to sit (and drink hehe), it also allowed for some nice mountain views in the evening and the morning. There was lots of traffic going into the hotels around us, lots of tour groups unloaded and reloading at almost all hours of the day and night. Luckily I brought my ear plugs with me to drown out the noise of the tour groups and drunks during the night! That evening we had some dinner at Earl’s and did a bit of shopping in the downtown strip, but decided to retire to the room for a few drinks and 80s tunes.
The next morning we got up fairly late and checked out of the room with only a few minutes to spare. We stopped by some restaurant J wanted for breakfast, but the line was ridiculous and I wasn’t feeling up to eating much anyways. We ended up back in the downtown area at Tony Roma’s, where I had never been before. I only had the potato skins, but they were damn good! I was feeling a bit off that morning, but things started to look up when we saw a horse drawn carriage “for hire”. We went for it, how could we not? It was a slow tour of Banff, the downtown area, along the river, and back through some houses. Over all it was so amazing, I’ve never traveled that way before, even for a short stint. It was so much fun!
We did a bit more shopping and touring, of course getting some fudge, which is something you must do while you are in Banff.
We left Banff and the National Park soon after, taking a quick detour to Bragg Creek, which like everything else was full of tourists and sort of boring. We headed back to Calgary, finishing our trip with some dinner. Overall it was a blast and I have to thank the J and Cal team for another awesome time! I crossed a few things off of my summer mini-list, too. As always, check out my photobucket account for all my pictures from the trip.
Eastern Trip and Other News
May 28th
Alright, so my blog has been down for a bit, at least on the posting and maintenance end of things, so there have been no updates. Super lame. My “webmaster” is currently looking for a new host, as I am generally unhappy with how often I cannot access my blog. So due to the giant wait and me having too much to say: here’s a giant mishmash of updates for your reading pleasure.
I have yet to blog and post pictures about my trip to Banff. I will do that tomorrow.
I went and applied for my passport yesterday, which was less traumatic than I thought it would be. My passport pictures were sent, but with a warning they will probably get rejected because my forehead was “too white”. Seeing that I am a white person…I am generally confused by this statement. Trust me, customs and immigration officials will see my giant white forehead and recognize me from my passport picture instantly. I paid the extra 10 bucks for a 10 day pick up which pleases me greatly. I don’t really trust Canada Post with important things. I know getting my passport was on my list, but it suddenly became vital when Irma informed me that I needed my passport to check into hostels in New York. June 10th is my pick up day, and I leave on June 20th to Ontario/East. I hope it all goes smoothly and I am holding my passport in no time.
So this tip out East has not been without planning. In less than a month I will be leaving (eep!). Here is my basic itinerary.
June 20th
Start 5 days in Montreal
Leave for Montreal with Christopher in the wee hours of the morn.
After a stop over in Toronto, arrive in Montreal in the late afternoon
Hostel is booked, private room, shared bath
On the agenda for the 5 days we are there is Mont Royal, eating poutine, #243, wandering around in the Botanical Gardens, #448, seeing Notre Dam Basilica, #478, and seeing the St. Lawrence River.
June 25th
Start a few weeks in Guelph/Toronto
June 25th leave for Toronto, arriving in the early morning
Staying with friends in Guelph
Itinerary includes drinking at Turtle Jacks, Canada Day at Niagara Falls, going up the CN Tower, #102, going to see a movie at the drive-in theatre, #39, seeing the Toronto Pride Parade, #360, going to the museum of Television, St. James Anglican Cathedral, seeing the Art Gallery of Ontario, eating at a Medieval themed Restaurant, #503, seeing the Much Music building, and tons and tons of other things.
July 10th
Embark on three day New York City trip with Irma
Overnight Greyhound bus to New York
Hostel booked, private room, shared bath
Taking Amtrak back to Oakville, where Irma resides.
During our three full day, three night stint we plan to eat traditional New York food, including hot dogs, #334 and pizza, #124, stand in Times Square, #352, see the Statue of Liberty, #389, see the Central library, visit Cooper Station, go to the top of the Empire State building, go to several museums including the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Art Museum, and walk through Central Park, #499.
July 14th or 15th
Taking train to Kingston or meeting mom at Pearson and driving to Kingston
Spending several days with grandparents.
Wolf Island, lake front, wandering around historic Kingston, grandma’s baking, catching up, hanging around, Fort Henry.
As you can see, I will be crossing a bunch of things off of my list this trip. 16 at the very, absolute least! I have put full details of things that are planned to be crossed off or that are in the works on my
Summer Mini-List
Apr 29th
Alright, so I have some grand plans this summer, and there is even some talk of going to Atlantic City to see Foreigner! Woo! This is, of course, not enough for me (queue Adam inquiring “is anything ever enough for you?”). I have decided to make a summer mini-list, since I am in the habit of letting my summers slip away from me and going “oh I wish I had _____________” at the end of it. So here is my awesome list for summer activities. Check out my past mini-list for Southern Alberta (which is sadly uncompleted but ah well).
1. Go to Banff
2. Spend a weekend in the mountains
3. Go to Bragg Creek
4. Take a road trip out to B.C.
5. Go to Waterton Park (and get out of the car – ps I heart you Adam)
6. Go to Cochrane and get ice cream!
7. Visit Adam’s parents at Ghost Lake twice or more
8. Raft/float-y boat on the Bow
9. Walk in Carburn Park
10. Have a picnic
11. Eat special brownies with Gwen (omg hah – and bring my mom pffft)
12. Try deep fried cheesecake at Montana’s
13. Go to Edmonton
14. Drive along the Cowboy Trail
It’s about time! Ontario Trip!
Apr 24th
Long, long overdue, but I am finally in the position to blog about my whirlwind trip to Ontario. Exams are over, and let me tell you, I could use another whirlwind trip right about now, but that will have to wait until my month long excursion out East in June and July.
So anyways, details of my trip. I should say, right off the bat, I crossed a few things of my list on this trip! I flew somewhere on my own(#317), I went back to Niagara Falls(#166), and I actually, incredibly, I didn’t think I could do it but did and enjoyed it at that sat in the window seat of an airplane(#270).
Adam was nice enough to drive me to Calgary so I could catch my flight, which left at 12:35am on Saturday April 5th. I took some Gravol and tried to sleep, but I woke up feeling sick. I don’t think Gravol and I get along to well, but ah well. The flight was quick and painless and I didn’t freak out. The best part was the flight was only half full, so the middle seat was empty (I was sitting in the aisle). I arrived at Pearson at sometime around 6am, and was ready to go. J (of J and Cal) was there to pick me up, on time which I LOVE in a person I must say, and we headed right to get coffee. I was then given the grand tour of the Loblaw offices, home of Superstore and the super adorable Galen Weston Jr., which was actually quit interesting. The place is totally done out, with cafeteria and gym and tennis courts. It’s crazy. I was also given a “sample” dog toy to give to my old man cat to replace the one he vomited on one too many times.
We drove around the GTA for a bit, heading in the general direction of Guelph, where Cal and J live. I was taken on the scenic route through Aberfoyle, which is the CUTEST town EVER! I would marry that town if I were a single eligible town. We drove around Guelph for a bit, and then decided it was time for breakfast, which of course meant all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Griddle (we do not have these, nor all you can eat breakfast of any type, in Calgary). It was soooo good and I go
t to eat waffles! Best breakfast food ever! We then arrived at their GIANT FREAKING MONSTER OF A HOUSE, and I got to see their kiddos, who are just the cutest things on the face of the planet (other than Aberfoyle). Cal’s friend Adam was staying at their house too for a visit, so I was introduced to him. Then I was shown to my room, which was amazing, Simple, yet so comfortable, with chocolate brown comforter, crisp white sheets and the softest mattress ever. I was given a tour of the house, with the help of their daughter Sydnie, which took like 4 hours because the house is so big.
I decided to grab some sleep when Cal went out for a bit, since I was exhausted from
my flight. I woke up around 12 and got ready for the day and we headed off to Toronto and other adventures! I was given a nice tour of Guelph, and I must say the place has amazing architecture. The stunning Our Lady Immaculate Church (inset) dominates the skyline, and for good reason. The church is beautiful, and I think is one of my favourite parts of the trip. The amount of fabulous architecture just puts Western Canada to shame. Our Lady Immaculate, while the most outwardly stunning, was not the only gorgeous church in the city, or simple building for that matter. Guelph seems to relish in the preservation of old buildings, it seems every other house is a restored century-old work of art.
We did some shopping at the giant, crazy big Eaton Centre (pictured, inset) that was just filled to the brims with people and then some sightseeing. We grabbed some yummy light lunch, which we ate in a park near city hall in downtown Toronto. The downtown of that city is just fabulous. Even on a Saturday afternoon it was bustling and busy and just PACKED with things to look at. The people are nice and the blending of old and new buildings is phenomenal. I adored it down there. We couldn’t stay long, though, since we needed to head to Niagara Falls!!!
The drive there was a bit long, but I got my first glimpses of Lake Ontario in two years as we were stuck in a traffic jam. We followed the water most of the way down, going over several large bridges, and passing through Hamilton and St. Catharines along the way. We arrive at Niagara Falls as the sun was setting which made for a gorgeous, breath taking view of the falls. I was there so many years ago, I forgot the power of the falls. Just amazing. The mist was insane, I ended up soaking wet, which was awesome considering it was hovering around -1 in Niagara Falls that day. Still incredible, even if it gets me soaking wet! And the Canadian side totally kicks American ass. I said to J that all future wars should just be settled on the basis of who has the most kick-ass waterfall. We walked (or hiked?) up the hill to grab some dinner, and ended up at TGIF (something most of Canada does not have). The food was okay, nothing to get excited about. We wandered through the giant casino to warm up and keep dry, and then made our way back to the falls, watching the be lit up by giant multi-coloured lights (soo tacky!). We drove back to Guelph, still damp, and it was very very late. We ended up sitting around having a few drinks and eating some pizza.
Sunday I woke up and hung out with the kiddos for a bit. Cal was hosting a party over the weekend, and headed into Toronto early to get ready, but I was allowed to relax. Most of the morning was spent in the basement playing with the kids who have turned the giant basement into their play area. Soon, it was time to head on in to Toronto to help prepare for her soiree and such things. I ended up doing door for most of the night, which was fine by me because I didn’t know many people there, but I did get in some dancing and talked to several nice people over the course of the evening. The drive back at 1am was not fun, knowing the next day I had a flight to catch. But of course I didn’t go to bed right away, because there was cold pizza and conversation to be had. 
Monday morning I was up fairly early, ready to go make good with my water whom I failed to visit. We drove around the GTA some more, landing in Oakville (where my dearest Irma lives, but I did not see sadly). I spent some time with Lake Ontario, but it was effin’ freezing, and I had a plane to catch at Pearson. How people can not want to live near giant bodies of water, I don’t know, it’s so wonderful and beautiful (even when the first kilometer is muddy brown!)
I got to the airport with some time to spare, but not much. I had a window seat and was sort of nervous. 
The flight was also looking to be packed, which it was. Luckily, a skinny little girl sat beside me, so it was a wonderful flight. I got a little picture crazy being in the window seat, but oh well. The flight was quite good and I managed not to freak out like I thought I would. We hit some just wicked turbulence over Lake Huron (I think?) and it felt like driving down a dirt road, just terrible. It was sort of fun though, despite my fear of flying. I spent the rest of the flight watching South Park and hoping Adam remembered to come to Calgary to pick me up from the airport
You can check out all of my pictures from the trip (almost 200!!!) in the new folder on my photobucket account!
Crossed off – Remington Carriage Museum (and some other adventures)
Apr 3rd
So my lovah-lovah Adam planned a nice and semi-surprise trip for me on Sunday. It combined both my giant list and some of the mini-list for southern Alberta that I made a while back.
We made our way down to the Remington Carriage Museum, which is located in Cardston, quite near to the US/Canada border. The drive was quite nice, though it was a particularly shitty day out. We arrived at the museum around noon, and found there to be a quite expensive admission fee
($18 for us both – NO CARRIAGE RIDE INCLUDED!!) The museum itself is pretty boring, which is actually why I put it on my list. I wanted to completely mock it. But Adam was so totally into it, reading every sign and getting into it. It’s a bunch of old carriages! Jesus. It was fun though, and some of the carriages were nice to look at.
I totally feel gypped about the carriage ride though. After the museum, we ate some lunch in the car (so ghetto, but so fun), and then headed westward towards Waterton Lakes National Park. Let me tell you, the road between Cardston and Waterton Park is effin’ creepy. It just seems like a place tourists go to die. We did not end up stopping in Waterton since it was snowing and we couldn’t even tell if it was open or not.
There were nice views, despite the clouds, and we even saw some deer and a female elk hanging out. They were really close to the road, so we slowed down for both safety and gawking purposes. We also saw bunny tracks with was SUPER cute, as Adam is a huge fan of bunnies and rabbits and such things. After that we drove through Twin Butte, but the sign wasn’t big enough to warrant stopping to get a picture. So we drove right on through. I’m surprised by the amount of Butte places in Alberta and Montana. Seems every other town is named “Picture Butte” “Twin Butte” “Butte” or some other variation of a description ass.
There was one sign that did require a turn around. Spread Eagle Road. Priceless and then some. I of course, got out of the car in the foot of snow that was drifted around this farm’s driveway to get a picture. I was super excited about it, let me tell you what.
We then made our way to Pincher Creek, to get a picture with their giant pinchers, which I just find too hilarious for words. Seriously. Giant pinchers. They also had a “Hoe Hardware” which I hope to god sells sex toys.
Then we headed home, and onto thesurprise event which I will blog about later on.
I leave for Ontario tomorrow night, so there will be a lot to talk about. I crossed another thing off my list (not a surprise, it is listed under Completed if you need to know, but I will be making a blog entry about it. I also have my march book reviews coming up. Too much going on!!
Check out my photobucket for all of the pictures from the day.
When Mom Comes to Play
Mar 15th
So a while back I made a mini-list about things I wanted to do in Southern Alberta before I move back to Calgary this April. My super awesome mom came to visit me this weekend, and helped me cross quite a few things off of the list! We of course got photo evidence of the whole shebang!
She got here Friday at around 10 and helped me finish my dishes like the doting 
mother she is, and then we went for lunch at the Red Dog Diner (we she enjoyed as much as I do!). Then we did some unexciting things like getting groceries. In the afternoon we went to the Galt Museum and Archives, which was so much fun! We had the whole place to ourselves, so we gallivanted around and did as we pleased. This included, making an awesome newspaper article in which I stated I would most remember “not learning Blackfoot”, as all of the Blackfoot sound recordings weren’t working. There were also awesome medieval dress up clothes that you could wear (meant for kids) but that didn’t stop me! We also played some stupid medieval game neither of us understood and I battled with a knight. After the excitement at the Galt museum, we went to find where these stupid giant tower things are by the river, but you can’t get to them. We found the road there, but it’s some business access road. I still don’t get it, why they have this ancient water tower and lookout deck but you can’t get to them. Odd!
The rest of the evening was pretty low key, we went to dinner at Montana’s with Adam and then went home bloated and watched Amnesia which wasn’t that entertaining for a show with Dennis Miller in it.
Saturday we got up early, had a delicious breakfast and headed out to do my recycling. We decided on a whim to go to Taber, as I had some things on my mini-list there. Taber is hilarious, it’s just such a little town/city with NOTHING going on at all. We saw the giant corn stalks and giant woman, and stopped at the library to ensure we’d found the giant woman and so I could use their gorgeously clean bathrooms. There were also Hutterites on the computers which my mom found funny. We saw about 100 churches and the best museum ever (which was closed) called “the Irrigation Impact Museum”. IMPACT Museum haha. I think everything except the Walmart and library was closed in that place.
Coming back from Taber we stopped at a place called Chin, thinking they had a sign we could get a picture by because it’s an awesome name for a place. They didn’t seem to have one,but they did have a giant garbage heap, I mean this thing was GIANT! It was also creepy, because it was on someone’s property and they have about 25-30 cars just crammed full of stuff, with trailers and stuff. It almost looked like a place tourists went to die… eep. And they also had a bunch of old PMQs as houses, which we found strange.
Once we got back to Lethbridge we stopped for lunch at Sam’s Donair and Hamburger for the best burger’s EVER. I want another one right now in fact. We got bloated and full, and then headed for Fort Whoop-Up. Well, we had a stop over at the wind gauge in Lethbridge on Scenic Drive. I don’t get it, but whatever. Historic point of interest or something.
Fort Whoop-Up was pretty fun, but a bit creepy. It’s only like 5 bucks a person too! 
You can sneak in really easily though, and most of then rooms only are accessible from one door, so you end up trapped in these smelly little rooms. There are some neat setups of western-esque rooms, with a bar, and lots of axes laying around randomly. Since no one else is there, it was sort of creepy. It was fun nonetheless. I tried roping fake cattle, got another picture with a buffalo, and saw how short people used to be. We bought candy and souvenirs, including $2 rabbit pelts (yes rabbits died so Fort Whoop-Up could make $2 a pop) for the cats at home to see if they would like them. I got a bear purse and a little white buffalo statue. After the Fort, we wandered down to the river and got some pictures, but it was too creepy for us there too, too many bushes and no one around.
Click here to see all of the pictures from the weekend
Crossed Off! #298
Mar 9th
One more thing crossed off of my ever growing list. Today, Adam and I went to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump near Fort MacLeod, which satisfies #298 on my list. It was pretty interesting and Adam and I learned a lot about the art of sending buffalo careening to their death. It was really very windy, you can see Adam and almost I blowing off of the giant cliff in the pictures.
I think, to be very honest, the best part was the astounding view from the top of the cliffs. It was just amazing, you get see for at least 50 kilometres. It would have been better without the road, farms and other man-made crap ruining what should be mile after mile of unspoiled prairie.
The interpretive centre was very well done with lots of things to take pictures of. Oddly, lots of buffalos!! In stuffed form and in bone form!
I think Adam’s favourite part was the puzzle he managed to put together, which I took a picture of to display his puzzle prowess.
You can see my full array of pictures at my photobucket account.
More exciting news from the Western Front
Feb 29th
I was planning another trip to the Ontario/Quebec in late June, and I discovered my friend Chris was going out the same way around the same time. So I moved my schedule around a little, and booked my flights this morning! So June 20-25 I’ll be in Montreal and 25-29th I’ll be spending at Toronto Pride Week!! I’ll be there for the giant parade and everything. Super exciting. I don’t have a plane ticket home, I’ll probably bum around Ontario, making mental love to my water. Go see my grandparents and uncle. These sorts of things.
And of course, get a bunch of things crossed off of my list!
Life in Lethbridge/Calgary
Feb 16th
Alright, so I have been living in Lethbridge since September and not done much in the way of exploring here. I have found some rockin’ food establishments and a good place to drink, but I don’t think I have experienced the full potential of Lethbridge.
So I am making a quick list of things I want to do before I move away in April
1. Go to the Red Dog Diner
2. Go down to the river
3. Spend a day hiking along the coulees
4. Go to the Japanese Garden
5. Walk around Henderson Lake
6. Go to Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump
7. Go to Fort Whoop Up
8. Take a trip to Waterton Park
9. Visit the Galt Museum
10. Visit Picture Butte because of the name
11. Go to Taber and see the Giant Woman and Giant Corn Stalks
12. Go to Pincher Creek and see the Giant Pinchers
13. See the giant wind gauge in Lethbridge
So there’s my Mini-List