Alberta summer with a green fringe

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

After a month of summer in Alberta, we know we made the right choice in coming here to escape the heat of La Paz.

The weather has been wonderful - the best summer we can remember in Edmonton for a long time.  The most impressive thing about it for us, having spent the better part of the last two years in a desert, is all of the green we have been seeing.  Unlike the current draught in the U.S., here there has been lots of rain in the spring, followed by lots of good old Alberta sunshine, making for lush foliage wherever we look.

We have also had the good fortune to have been given the opportunity to house-sit for some friends while they were on vacation for 2 weeks.  Their home, close to the river valley trail system, has made for a great base for daily hikes along the river and connected ravines.  We are whipping ourselves into shape again after spending so much idle time on the boat while we were in the marina in La Paz.

We found ourselves in walking distance from the Alberta Museum and Government house park.  We spent an enjoyable day there exploring the museum which we had not seen in many years.

On the weekends, we have been invited out to our friends home in the country, where we could properly enjoy the warm, sunny days around the pool.  If the weather would stay like this for the entire year, no-one would ever leave Alberta.  Unfortunately, by November this will all be but a memory until next spring comes around.  Fortunately for us, we should be back on the boat and heading further south by then.

This week in Edmonton is the annual Fringe festival.  We braved the crowds one afternoon to check out some of the street performer entertainment being offered.  Later today, Sue is going to one of the plays, starring the daughter of our good friends.  I, on the other hand, will be attending one of my annual wild "boys night out" events, with a couple of old drinking buddies - who knows, I may stay out till after 10 PM this time.

As to our plans for the next month, we have tentatively decided to take a road trip, probably leaving just after the Labour Day weekend to avoid the bulk of the holiday traffic.  Where that may lead us, nobody knows...

{GMST}53|35.3928|N|113|32.361|W|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada|Edmonton, AB{GEND}

Sue's ex-company's golf tournament.  Yes, we still get invited every year!