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5: Time. This was my first summer to be really close to my daughter, so we enjoyed many weekends together, some of them were spent in doors, some were out at the parent’s cabin, but many were spent sharing experiences!
4: The Red Deer Farmers Market. When I lived in Red Deer over a decade ago, the whole eat local movement wasn’t as big as it is now, and a few visits to the farmer’s market I realized why it’s a weekly destination fro many during the warmer months. You can go there, find breakfast and a latte, pick up fresh produce for lunch or dinner, listen to live music and check out local artisans. Great reason to get up early on Saturday mornings. Love that Humble Hummus.
3: Road tip to Glacier Park! I got to join my two brothers for a “brother’s only” trip into the great state of Montana. Some of my favourite places in North America are around Glacier Park – it’s Banff without the hype..and the tourists! My fave things are the Going-To-The-Road, Lake Macdonald, the rustic charms of Essex, the hipness of Whitefish and the friendliness of all Montanans.
2: The live music festivals in Red Deer/Lacombe. As a person that lived here back in the 90’s, we didn’t have much for live music or cool events to be downtown. Well, now we have tons! Alberta’s Own Festival in Lacombe, Central Music Festival, the Sylvan Lake Jazz Fest, and I've noticed Red Deer supports it’s local talent: Randi Boulton, Rebecca Raabis, Steve Arsenualt, the list goes on and on. And more venues than ever for them to perform in!
1: Children’s Wish Foundation Train. Okay, if you know me well, there is nothing better than a ride down the “high iron” – a train ride, and this summer I did the Children’s Wish Foundation train from Red Deer to Edmonton. I gladly coughed up $45 dollars for a one way trip from Red Deer to Edmonton. It was fantastic! I loved riding the rails and coasting along at 55 MPH on a now freight only route. Standing in the doorway vestibule, listening to the wheels hum along as we cruised through Blackfalds, Lacombe, Ponoka, Hobbema, Wetaskiwin and Leduc – turning heads by many who likely have never seen a passenger train before.
It’s now officially Autumn, the leaves are being chased by the wind- the nights getting longer and cooler. Summer 2011 was a goon’un! |
see them trekking North up the QE2
Mostly Cloudy 12 oC
