Shortly after the opening of TriCity Potters’ group soda firing Alan and I flew to Edmonton to join the family for Halloween. It’s been many years since we were last in Edmonton so we looked forward to seeing its changes. Without being too specific I can tell you that Steve and Jen have bought a good house with a large yard in a nice part of the city, south of the North Saskatchewan river, the boys have started grades six and four at a nearby French Immersion school and Steve has an easy drive or bike ride to NAIT. He is becoming comfortable in his new position as Dean, School of Manufacturing and Automation, School of Transportation.
I don’t often write about family stuff but Steve’s new position in Alberta and the family’s move there is a big change in our lives. Maybe next year, in good weather, we’ll drive the twelve hours through the Rockies to see them but we chose to make the speedy flight before Winter sets in.
Steve picked us up from Edmonton airport at the end of his work day and drove us around town as the sun set.
I accompanied Jen to the boys’ school at noon the next day, Halloween. Their school is closed on Thursday afternoons so there was lots of time to prepare for Trick 0r Treating. Caleb was a very Mad Scientist with test tubes of beastly concoctions. The twins were hobbits Merry and Pippin, sporting hairy feet and fine weatherproof capes their Dad had made for them
On Friday Jen drove us to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Steve gave us a tour of the huge campus and his office. We were treated to a gourmet buffet lunch at Ernest’s, catered by culinary arts students. The Art Gallery of Alberta and the Royal Alberta Museum are both closed on Monday and Tuesday so we headed downtown after lunch while Jen left to pick up the boys from school. It was cold and windy so we explored the Museum and saw the astonishing Art Gallery building but will plan on going inside on our next visit.
Much to the boys’ excitement there was snow on the ground on Saturday morning. We all went to a favourite Hilltop Diner near the University for a good brunch. Then we headed to Strathcona area to check the excellent Saturday Farmers’ Market. I was happy to meet potters I’ve only known online until now.
Jen wanted to find the Edmonton Weavers Guild Sale nearby. The boys were fascinated with spinning and weaving so Jen has registered them for a workshop in December.
Sunday was a fine sunny day so we brunched at ‘Dogpatch’ where the boys enjoyed poutine, before driving to the North Saskatchewan river. We took the free funicular up to downtown and admired the MacDonald railway hotel, the cenotaph, convention centre and the view.
Later in the day Jen took us for a walk through their neighbourhood into Argyll Park.
On our last full day in Edmonton Jennifer drove us to the Muttart Conservatory. These are four glass pyramids showing temperate, arid, tropical and feature exhibits (frogs etc just now). What a fine legacy these are for Albertans in their long cold winters.
Here’s what we really came to Edmonton for. Thank you d-i-l Jennifer for many yummy meals, and all of you for making the grandparents feel welcome.
The next morning it snowed again and the boys wore their new winter boots to school. By the time our Uber arrived to take us to the airport the sun was shining and snow was gone. That’s Alberta!
Next blog, I’ll show you the soda pots…
Are the Hobbits holding your tankards, Gillian?
They are, Carlene! Good spotting!
What an amazing place and a lovely family!