Janelle's Alberta Travel Blog

Time 2021-10-31 06:08:07

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Janelle's Alberta Travel Blog

Your guide to interesting Alberta tourism destinations and activities.

Sunday, December 12, 2010 Enjoy a Candlelit Walk at LuminariaDuring Luminaria thousands of candles line the paths of the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, part of the Devonian Botanic Garden southwest of Edmonton. This weekend my boyfriend and I braved the chilly weather for a candle light walk through the snowy gardens.


The candles illuminated the graceful, artistic curves of the paths and the candle light reflected off the snow making it seem to glow. Fire pits along the way helped us to stay warm as we strolled on the many paths.
Although there were many people enjoying the event, the garden still seemed peaceful and serene, due in part I think to the darkness, soft candlelight and blanket of snow.
It was a walk to remember.Posted byJanelle Bat9:25 PM1 comment: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:Edmonton,gardens,nature Sunday, November 21, 2010 Christmas Festivals to Spark Your Christmas SpiritTis the season to enjoy all the fun things that are part of an Alberta Christmas like twinkly Christmas lights, sleigh rides and visits with Santa.

Over the next couple of weekends, a number of communities near Edmonton are hosting Christmas festivals that are sure to get you and your little ones in the Christmas mood.

Morinville Lite Up the Nite Christmas Festival (Nov 26-28, 2010)
Breakfast with Santa, family crafts and activities, parade, craft fair, skate with Santa, Lite up the Nite in St. Jean Baptiste Park and fireworks.

Josephburg Christmas in the Heartland (Nov 27, 2010)
Christmas market, sleigh rides, hundreds of nativity scenes on display, skating, visit with Santa, ice carving and lighting up a 60 ft. Christmas tree.

Devon Christmas in the Park (Nov 27, 2010)
Candle luminary, Christmas lights parade, hay rides, Santa and his reindeer, maple syrup taffy and more.

Redwater Kris Kringle Festival (Dec 4, 2010)
Skate with Santa, sleigh rides, hot chocolate, carolers and a live nativity scene.

Bon Accord Winter Wonderland (Dec 4, 2010)
Pancake breakfast, visit with Santa, crafts, Christmas skate, live entertainment and fireworks show.Posted byJanelle Bat4:05 PMNo comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:children,Edmonton,families,festivals Sunday, November 7, 2010 Supper at the Footloose CabooseIf youre seeking a unique and unusual dining experience, you have to visit the Footloose Caboose. Its your chance to dine in a rail car without having to take a train trip.

Meals are actually served in the Mount Lefroy dining car built in 1909 by Canadian Pacific Railways. The cabooses on the property are used as rooms by overnight guests.

The dining car is spacious and simply furnished and the owners are down to earth people who want to make sure your visit is enjoyable. They offer ample portions of a range of main dish selections including beef, pork, chicken and fish. A variety of appetizers and deserts rounds out the menu.

In addition to the cabooses and historic dining car, a Grand Trunk Pacific Type E train station once located in Duffield stands on the property. The station has been restored and serves as the owners home.

A trip to the Footloose Caboose is an interesting break from the ho-hum. Its been more than a year since I heard about the restaurant and Im so glad I finally had the chance to visit. The Footloose Caboose is approximately half an hour from the eastern city limits of Edmonton just off Highway 14 near Tofield.
Posted byJanelle Bat8:33 PMNo comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:central Alberta,dining,Edmonton Sunday, October 31, 2010 Alberta's Ghost TownsWhat would Halloween be without a post about frightening things to do in Alberta? Im taking a different spin on the scary season however and writing about Alberta ghost towns.

The Ghost Towns of Alberta website gives a comprehensive overview of many abandoned or slowly-dying towns.

The ghastly thing about many abandoned towns is that they were once thriving centres. A great many are old coal-mining towns such as Anthracite, Bankhead, Nacmine and Cadomin. Others like Bezanson City were abandoned because the railway never made it to the community or because of drought like Travers or Grantham.

Ghost towns appeal to me because I imagine what life was like when these towns were bustling and busy places. The bigger draw is the chance to photograph the remaining buildings without pesky people getting in the way.

Some ghost towns have restored or maintained many buildings and open their doors to the public. In Rowley, tourists can visit the Railway Museum, Prairie School Museum, Sams Saloon, Bank, and Pool Hall and in Wayne, visitors can still have a drink in the hotels Last Chance Saloon.

So this year, overcome your fears and explore Albertas ghost towns.Posted byJanelle Bat9:59 PMNo comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:architecture,central Alberta,northern Alberta,photography,southern Alberta Monday, October 25, 2010 Off-field action at Edmonton Eskimos GamesAt this weekends Edmonton Eskimos game, I was joined by someone whod never been to a live football game before. As I was describing what kind of atmosphere to expect at the stadium, I was struck by the number of activities that occur at an Eskimos game. Even if the football game isnt your thing, there is sure to be something for you to watch.

The crazy antics of the Eskimos mascots Punter and Nanook are always entertaining, especially when they are body slamming stuffed animals that represent the other teams mascots into the turf. Theres nothing like seeing a stuffed gopher or horse get jumped on. Take that!

Speaking of jumps, youll be surprised at the gymnastic and acrobatic skill of the Eskimos Cheer Team, considered to be one of the best squads in North America. Its not unusual to see one of the guys balance one of the girls on one hand or a couple of guys throw a girl so high in the air she can do multiple flips and twists on the way down. I cant help but watch in amazement.

The mascots and the Cheer Team encourage the crowd to get involved in special cheers and everyone sings the Eskimos fight song between the third and fourth quarters. Theres also wacky competitions hosted by sponsors, the cheesy sounds of the Pep Band and the mini footballs that get launched into the crowd when the Eskimos score.

Add all of these off-field activities to the action of the football game and you have a winning combination.Posted byJanelle Bat9:53 PMNo comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:children,Edmonton,families,sports Monday, October 11, 2010 I'm thankful for...

Since today is Thanksgiving, I started thinking about the Alberta tourism attractions, destinations and events Im thankful for. Heres my list:

Art Gallery of Alberta for exposing me to art I wouldnt have otherwise sought outsmall town museums for keeping history alive through the hard work and dedication of volunteersAlbertas many choirs for revealing the passion and joy of choral musicour provinces national parks for preserving some of Albertas wondrous wildernessCalgary Zoo for reminding me that youre never to old to enjoy the zooChinook Arch Meadery for giving me another reason to like honeymusic festivals like the Edmonton Folk Fest and Labatts Blues Festival for luring me outdoors to enjoy Alberta summers to the sound of great tuneshiking trails throughout the province that show the beauty and diversity of our landscapesSlave Lake Sand Castle Competition for reminding me that Alberta does have beachesbiplane rides at the Reynolds Alberta Museum for giving me something to look forward to

What are you thankful for?

Posted byJanelle Bat9:32 PMNo comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:art,art gallery,culture,festivals,history,museums,music,nature,wine Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Smashing PumpkinsNo, not the band. Actual smashing pumpkins.
Thats part of the attraction at the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival.

The festivals finale entails dropping pumpkins from a very tall crane. At this years festival, three pumpkins were dropped. Two smaller pumpkins were dropped first (and by smaller I mean bigger than the wheel on a Hummer). Then a gigantic pumpkin was dropped onto a car. I must admit, the destructive side of my personality was cheering. Oh who am I kidding, you dont even have to like destruction to enjoy the complete demolition of a car by a giant, falling pumpkin. Its something you likely wont see anywhere else in Alberta.

These photos are not of the car being destroyed but show the before and after photos of one of the pumpkin drops.

Before




After


In addition to the smashing finale, an important component of the festival is the competition for the largest pumpkin. This year, the winner weighed in at 987 pounds. Yes, thats correct. It was enormous.

The festival offers plenty of activities for kids such as a midway and crafts as well as activities for adults like the beer gardens, farmers market and classic car show and shine.

The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival is a fun day trip out in the country, butif you go, beware of falling vegetables.Posted byJanelle Bat9:08 PMNo comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestLabels:children,festivals,gardens,northern Alberta Older PostsHomeSubscribe to:Posts (Atom)About MeJanelle BHow many people can say they based their life on a restaurant menu? I can.A quote I read on a menu changed my outlook on life. The wise words said Always be able to look back and say At least I did not lead a humdrum life.' I am taking that advice to heart.I am committed to living a life that is full of rich experiences. A life that is far from humdrum. A life that vibrates with excitment. Thats why Im continually on the look out for fun activities to do, interesting things to learn, and new places to see. Im passionate about exploring all Alberta has to offer and sharing my adventures with you.If you'd like to contact me, comment on one of my posts and include your email address. I'll get back to you.View my complete profileBlog Archive 2010(41) December(1)Enjoy a Candlelit Walk at Luminaria November(2) October(4) September(4) August(5) July(4) June(4) May(5) April(4) March(3) February(3) January(2)Search Blog by Topicarchitecture(2)art(5)art gallery(2)astronomy(1)Calgary(12)cemeteries(1)central Alberta(14)children(7)churches(2)culture(3)dining(6)Edmonton(18)families(9)farmers markets(2)festivals(10)Fort McMurray(2)gardens(4)grain elevators(1)Grand Prairie(3)history(9)Lethbridge(3)Medicine Hat(1)museums(4)music(3)nature(7)northern Alberta(8)photography(5)Red Deer(3)roadside attractions(2)Rockies(2)shopping(2)southern Alberta(7)sports(7)theatre(1)windmills(1)wine(2)Lamont County Church Tour
Ringing the bellsLamont County Church Tour
Bells at Sunland Holy Trinity Orthodox ChurchLamont County Church Tour
Painted dome interiorLamont County Church Tour
Unexpected opulence at a country churchArt Gallery of Alberta
Geometry 101Art Gallery of Alberta
A study in layersArt Gallery of Alberta
JuxtapositionRothney Astrophysical Observatory
An out of this world experience!Edmonton Corn Maze
Up to our Ears in fun!Alberta Travel ResourcesTravel AlbertaWhere EdmontonSubscribe To Janelle's Travel Alberta BlogPosts Atom PostsAll Comments Atom All Comments

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