It was a Monday afternoon in early August, I was in the middle of getting ready for Megan's birthday party the following day, when Benj sent me a msg. "Heading to Alberta tonight to deliver screens to the University of Lethbridge. You guys coming along?" Seriously, you didn't have to ask us twice. After letting everyone know that the party was postponed, I hauled out a suitcase, told the kids to put in what they need for 2 days, charge up their electronics and we were ready. I have to say, it sure is much easier doing something like this when the kids are older. A few years ago something like this would have been unthinkable.
The trailer wasn't ready for pick-up until 8pm, so we didn't hit the road until about 8:30pm. With a long night ahead of us, I thought for sure the kids would all sleep. Ya right! NOT! They were so wired that I don't think they slept for more then an hour or two here and there. I have to say though, it is weird driving at night, with hardly anyone else on the road, and not having a clue what is on either side of you on the highway.
I have to mention that this was, as Benj reminded us several times...not a holiday! So we got to calling it an adventure. I hadn't been to Alberta since I was in my teens, so I was happy to be able to make the trip out, even if it was a working trip.
We loved watching the sky slowly light up as we neared the end of the Rockies.
The different rock formations were amazing. So different from our Coastal Mountains.
Just as we headed into the foot hills the sun came up. This magical moment made the whole night of driving worth it.
Usually prairies makes me think of dry, hot and brown. But this year it was super green and as we heading out of Calgary down to Lethbridge it was foggy!
I loved seeing all the grain elevators along the way.
As we got closer to Lethbridge the sun finally came out! Seriously, isn't this just beautiful?
At the University we had to stay clear of the buildings as it was a work site, so while Benj unloaded the trailer, the girls and I went for a walk in the grass. We didn't last long though, as we were eaten alive by mosquitoes. Which was really to bad, because the different flowers in the grass was very pretty.
Lots of nodding donkeys along the way.
We ran a bit late on time, but I very much wanted to show my kids at least a bit of the sights at Heritage Park. We only had and hour and 15 minutes to go though what normally takes a day, but I was hoping that everyone would enjoy it enough to want to come back some day. Thankfully the lady at the admission booth let us in for half price! :) Needless to say, everyone loved it! I took them to some of the highlights of the park, and someday we hope to come back, when we can do it justice.
Gasoline Alley was a huge hit with all of us. I mean, what's not to like about all those gorgeous old card and trucks. I did end up going a little camera crazy!
The clouds looked like a thunderstorm brewing, but thankfully it blew over.
I really love this tub.
I always find the print shop fascinating.
I could have spend much more time in the livery.
It was nice to take the kids into the grain elevator and have someone explain to them how they actually work.
The dentist office looks rather frightening. The poor fella looks petrified!
Not all to sure if any of these elixirs and potions actually worked.
And of course a trip to the candy shop to sweeten things up.
Oh, I LOVE the word work in this house!
This trains travels around the whole park.
Then came the tricky part. Finding lodgings for 6 people at the spur of the moment. Thankfully, after a lot of calling around, we found a room at the Marriot Hotel in downtown Calgary, right across from the Calgary tower.
From 9 stories up it was neat to see the city.
On the other side of the street from our window were all old buildings, some with rooftop gardens.
But it's the night lights that make the city really look stunning.
Early the next morning we left Calgary, and headed home, just as the sun was coming up again.
Gorgeous!
It was so interesting to see all the things we had missed while driving through the night. I love the way they made these animal crossings.
And if you can't build a road around it, then you'll just have to build one through it.
Revelstoke.
The constant change in landscape made for a very interesting trip back. Needless to say, we all slept like logs that night! Definitely not a vacation, but a wonderful adventure none the less.
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