Day 20, 21 and the Drive Home

On our last day alone with the boys, they were slow to get moving. A visit to the Red park, lunch and then just a lazy afternoon. Cullen and I made the drive to the airport to pickup Mike and Mel. Cullen had his shoes on and was ready to go an hour before the time came to leave, he was so excited to see them. Where Campbell more or less ignored them when they facetimed, Cullen was locked on to the screen and you could see he was close to tears and chatty at the same time.

When it was finally time to leave he asked, "are we going to see Mommy and Daddy at the airport?" In his excitement I think he forgot why we were going. One on one time with Cullen is more fun than I can explain. He's smart and funny, a natural athlete and very tough on himself.

We arrived about 30 minutes later, he was still not sure that they would be there. Mike texted me the section of passenger pickup they would be at. It's about a kilometre long with numbered columns and I saw 1-3 but must have missed 4 where they were standing. Cullen said "I see Mommy, I see Daddy, back up papa, back up" in his high pitched voice. There are 4 one way lanes full of cabs and people doing the same thing I was attempting, backing up was not an option. I pulled over to the curb hoping he was not imagining his long lost parents and that I would not have to try and make another pass. A few minutes later we were on on our way home with one very happy little boy.

On our last day in Calgary Sal and I went for breakfast at Cora's. Not a bad meal but no huevos rancheros which I had been craving. We went back to the house and did some packing. Mike suggested a trip to Costco so we drove over along with Cullen.

As it was last year, our last day in Calgary was the first day of the Stampede. We had to wait for the roads in downtown to open after the parade, we were hunting duck. Barbeque duck that is. Stampede parade is basically a day off for most of the offices downtown so once the roads open things get much easier traffic-wise. We were able to park right across the street from the hunting grounds at Wai's Barbeque. As I paid for parking Sal went in and ordered a pair of ducks. I walked into the most amazing aroma. I was instantly craving duck.

AJ and Jess came for supper one last time. Mike grilled steak, Sal had made a ton of potato and pasta salads, and the kids put on a dance show for the ages. Campbell was the star as he changed his moves to suit the music and went on tirelessly for more than 30 minutes.

We turned in early and were up and on the road at 6am Calgary time. Our first day on the road was uneventful. The miles went by quickly and at noon it was hard to believe I had been driving for 6 hours. Sal slept a good part of the way so I was alone with music and thoughts about the trip, the upcoming hockey season and getting back to reality. We saw 34 degrees in Saskatchewan but it cooled down to 29 in Brandon.

In Regina it took about an hour to get through the construction, our only slowdown of the return trip. They have been working on the bypass since the 90's and the cost is now estimated to be 1.8 billion. I really didn't find driving in on the strip and then cutting around the main part of the city on the existing ring road all that bad.

After showering and a nap we went to Montana's for supper and were asleep by 10:30. Up and on the road by 6 Calgary time again. Brandon to Winnipeg early on a Sunday morning means a deserted Trans Canada. The canola is in full bloom and fields were a brilliant yellow.

The last day's drive is always long especially when you hit Ontario and have to slow down as the separated highway ends. We hit major rain at Shabaqua but the sun was shining by the time we drove up out street.

All in all it was a great 3 weeks. Time with the kids and grandkids, mountains and wildlife can't be beat in my books.

Wai's BBQ House

Outside Wai's

the Campbell collection

the Cullen collection

   

From the Passenger Seat

Despite my best efforts to hint without pushing, Sal likes to take pictures vertically. Here is a selection of pictures from her perspective.

Swinging at the Red Park

Desert @ Cleaver

Cullen's grad

sorry AJ, no peeking

Bubble blowing

Grade 1 math

Icefields Parkway

Looking for that shot

Peyto Lake

Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkway

Gaucho Brazilian

Coast Hotel flowers 

Bighorns in Kananaskis

Post bath time

Approaching Moraine Lake

Day 19, All Quiet on the Western

The boys slept in so the day started slower than normal. Cullen didn't want to leave the house. Sal took Campbell, who was waiting on the sidewalk with his bike and helmet ready to go, to the Red park.

Minutes later Cullen changed his mind and we walked over. There were a bunch of kids the boys know from their daycare so they were busy. Campbell decided it was time to go while Cullen was still playing. I followed him out of the park on the longer route home, but home was not where he was going.

The green park is about 3 blocks away, around a gentle curve, invisible from the red park but he knew exactly where to go. I doubt he has ever made the walk/ride from red to green but I couldn't fool him when I tried to make the turn towards home. We didn't stay long. I think hunger overrode the desire to swing. He led the way home where he and Cullen shared a big hug on the sidewalk as if they hadn't seen each other in a week.

Campbell napped until almost 5:30 and Cullen played after a short rest. We fired up the sprinkler but Campbell said it was too cold and Cullen wanted to play swing ball, similar to tether ball with small rackets and a tennis ball. He is a very athletic kid and it is fun just to watch him track the ball and smash it.

A quiet evening, facetime with Mike and Mel and all went quiet. We watched a few episodes of Orange is the New Black and turned in.

Day 18, New Park Day

Our first night with the boys was all thumbs up, nobody was up during the night and they slept in to boot. We decided to make a short drive to a couple of the other nearby, but too far for Campbell to ride to, parks. The variety of kids playgrounds here in Calgary is nothing short of amazing. They all share the basic components, swings, slides, and various climbing equipment but they are all just a little different. The first one we went to is one I have passed on bike rides a number of times and the large fire truck always caught my eye.  It is themed around a small town with a bank, a Tom's Donuts, a bank, a grocery store and the feature piece, the fire truck. Built into the theme are the requisite swings, slides and climbing gear.

After the kids had explored every activity we moved on to what was supposed to be a fountain park but it was under construction and not ready. A series of U-turns and we were headed to another park I had noticed as we drove to the first. The boys loved the U-turns and of course Sal told them I liked going in circles.

In New Brighton the Brown park was one of the larger ones we have visited and also had more kids than we normally find. Cullen was certain he had been to this one before. Sal kept the fact that she had packed a picnic lunch a secret. If the boys know we are packing sandwiches they want to eat the second we arrive. They had watched her make lunch and didn't even want to leave the house because they were 'starving' despite the fact that they had just finished breakfast 30 minutes before. We forced them into the car and when they saw the new (to them) park with the fire truck they forgot about eating. They played for nearly 2 hours before they sat at a picnic table in the second park and wolfed down everything. They were the last to leave the park save one little girl who had arrived late. 

Cullen noticed a strange looking creature in the house next to the park. He went over and got a closer look. It was a cat but the strangest looking cat we've ever seen. I should have gotten a closer picture. Some googling later confirmed what the oddball's face lead me to believe, it was a persian. But the thing had tufts of fur from the elbow of each leg down, one at the end of it's tail and more around it's head. More searching revealed that this is actually intentional. The grooming is called a 'lion cut'. Yikes. Cullen did a great impression of the face for AJ and Jess at supper.

We returned to the house where Campbell napped and Cullen watched some tv. AJ and Jess came for pizza and the kids all played around the back yard. The evening was warm but the shade and a breeze in the back yard made it perfect. Earlier in the day it was a nice 20 with sort of hazy sunshine allowing the extra long stay in the park. 

Day 17, Alone

Our first day alone with Cullen and Campbell. The boys adapted to not having parents around without a hitch. We went to the green park, they took long naps, played around the house and in the yard, had baths and went to bed all without any fuss. Their short facetime with Mike and Mel went smoothly. It got warm but nowhere near 30. Looks like our drive home will be spent baking and dodging thunderstorms.

Playing around with my best shot of our grizzly resulted in the new header. He doesn't look so small in that pose does he?

Day 16, Here Comes the Heat

Saturday night after returning from the mountains, AJ and Jess were over for a supper consisting of various apps, fruit and salads. And cheesecake. The boys fight over the fruit topping but both love it when Sal comes to town and makes their favourite homemade dessert. A very relaxed evening with the whole gang.

On Sunday we went to Red's Diner for brunch with AJ and Jess. It was a great place for breakfast/brunch. On to Cross Iron Mills for some shopping. We had to walk almost the entire circuit of the huge, crowded mall to find a usb stick. But it was worth the search to be able to repair the Chromebook.  The temperature is starting to heat up, topping out at about 29 Sunday, but low 30's forecast for the week. 

AJ and Jess were back for supper of salads, hot dogs, burgers and smokies. It sure is great knowing that the boys and their families are so close. When they were young they disagreed more often than not but they have grown into great friends. Watching Campbell and Cullen, they seem to get along better than I remember the boys at that age. 

Mike and Mel are off to Vegas for 3 nights in the morning so we're on our own with the boys for a few days. AJ and Jess were invited any time they want, in case we need backup but I'm sure we'll be fine.

Christmas in July, Campbell found this and brought it out,
then expected Santa to stop by.

Day 13

Apologies first. The Chromebook needs to be recovered and I don't have the tools to accomplish that on hand so posts will be short as long as I'm poking them out on my phone.

We changed things up this morning and went to the Green park, different equipment and 2 minutes farther away. About 30 minutes in Cullen was in dire need of a bathroom. We were going to quickly go home and Sal and Campbell would catch up. Campbell decided to try and keep up and went too fast down the exit pathway and ended up sprawled on the grass. His hands got dirty. He cried for about 30 seconds and was fine. Good thing he made landing on the grass.

When the boys napped I went for a long ride through Fish Creek Park. They are repairing some of the upper sections of the Bow River Pathway and have it detoured through neighbouring streets. Signage was better than some major road work sees. I enjoyed riding through the spots that I have come to know very well after all the trips here.

The boys ate a good supper so we treated them to some ice cream. A huge deal for $5.

Sal wanted to find a pair of shoes, so much for no more shopping, and Google showed the Skechers outlet north of downtown so I fired up the gps map on the phone and we navigated our way over. She got a couple pair, the second at half price. We stopped at Five Guys for excellent cheese burgers and fries. We turned on early as tomorrow our vacation from our vacation begins.

Day 12,

With both kids coughing and sniffling we spent a quiet (a very relative term) day at the house. Campbell ventured out for a bit, but without big brother to play with, it was short lived. We spent a good part of the afternoon watching a young robin being fed by its mother on the railing of the deck. Ollie the cat was not very impressed by this as he crept to the window ready to pounce.

We did some shopping last night and were both able to get new shorts for $40. Other than groceries that will probably be the extent of our shopping.

Mike and Mel gave us a night in Canmore so we'll be going to Banff on Friday and spending the night close by. Fingers crossed for continued great weather, we've only seen rain a couple times since being here and it hasn't hampered any plans yet.

I feel like the pressure to get things done has lifted now that I can stay another week. Sal will drive home with me as AJ was able to get a credit for her flight. Hope she knows that it's my playlist we'e listening to on the way home.