Here it is the end of March and we're supposed to get a few inches of snow today. My calendar says it is spring already. I don't really believe we'll get snow so let's go up north to a place that has a better chance than we do here. This week's post takes us to my first non-U.S. city...Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The closest I've been to Canada is Niagara Falls. We stayed on the U.S. side but I could see Canada from there.
Edmonton is in the Alberta province in the western half of Canada. It is about 560 miles due north of Missoula, Montana, and about 3 hours north of Calgary. Calgary was the host city for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver which is about 12 hours southwest of Edmonton. This should be proof enough that Edmonton is far enough north to get more snow during the winter and early spring months than we do in the central United States. In fact, Google Maps doesn't show much north of Edmonton as far as roads and towns.
Edmonton's Valley Zoo is home to Lucy the painting elephant. The zoo has a tiered admission price plan based on your age. They also have a family pass that covers two adults and all children living in the same household. This pass will cost $29.25 during the summer months (May 9 - October 12). For the same price you can get a grandparent pass that covers two grandparents and up to 4 grandchildren.
Fort Edmonton Park is a living history museum. These are my favorite types of museums. A living history museum is one in which the employees dress up in period costumes and pretend to be from that time period. According to their web page, it looks like the museum plans special activities for people to enjoy. They have Mother's Day and Father's Day brunches and murder mystery weekends. The family/grandparent passes at the Fort are $40.50 CAD ($32 USD). In September, they have guided wagon tours that cost $28.00 CAD ($22 USD) for the family. To really immerse yourself in the time period, you can book a stay at Hotel Selkirk located within the Fort.
For you shopping aficionados, you can visit the West Edmonton Mall. They claim to be the "Greatest Indoor Show on Earth". I think I believe it after seeing everything they have to offer. They have a Putt 'n Glow miniature golf, an ice skating rink and an indoor waterpark! For the budget conscious, you can pick up a Super Savings Coupon Book for $7.95 CAD ($6.42 USD).
This leads me to this week's lodging pick. Fantasyland Hotel is located within the West Edmonton Mall. They have themed rooms that are spectacularly decorated. The Igloo themed room has a jacuzzi and bunkbeds. The jacuzzi in the Roman room is surrounded by marble columns. The jacuzzi in the Polynesian room is filled via a waterfall.
I can't forget about you sports fans. Edmonton is home to several sports teams. There is the Edmonton Oilers which is a National Hockey League team. They are home to the Canadian Football League Edmonton Eskimos. The Edmonton Rush is a National Lacrosse League team.
Now I'm ready to pack my bags and head north for my summer vacation!
Official Edmonton website
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Dunedin, Florida, United States
The winner of the poll this week is Dunedin, Florida! In case you were wondering how to pronounce this name it is "done eden" or like some country folks I know it is "done eatin'". You can go to Dictionary.com and click on the speaker icon to hear how it is pronounced.
Dunedin is on the Gulf Coast of Florida just west of Tampa and north of Clearwater. It is currently after 10 pm in Dunedin and it's 73 degrees with 59% humidity. Many people complain about the humidity in Florida. In August 2008, humidity got up to 97% almost every day according to the Wunderground.com daily almanac. Fortunately, there's always a beach nearby to take a dip in and cool off. Clearwater Beach is about 8 miles away and home to Sunsets at Pier 60. It has a street festival feeling. The last time I went there was a performer who juggled fire and his grand finale was fire breathing. He was a good performer and had a little comedy routine to go with his show. There are also plenty of boats along the Gulf Coast. Some of them will promise you dolphin sightings, some will take you out fishing and others will help you pretend to be a pirate for a couple hours. Pinellas Trail runs along the western edge of Dunedin. The trail is 34 miles long. Jogging, inline skating and bicycling are all allowed on the trail.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 36,000 residents in 2006. This makes it the same size as Cape Girardeau, Missouri, home of Southeast Missouri State University.
There is a Best Western and Holiday Inn Express in Dunedin proper. There are many more lodging choices in the neighboring towns of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa. The towns around Tampa Bay all flow together and can be difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins.
My pick of the week for lodging is Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater Beach. It's right on the beach and within walking distance to restaurants, souvenir shops and the boats. My vote for restaurants is Crabby Bill's. I have eaten there and the food was wonderful.
I learned a lesson this week. It will work out best for me if I close the city selection poll on Friday evening and publish the post Sunday evening. This will give me the weekend to do research, write it and proofread it.
Dunedin is on the Gulf Coast of Florida just west of Tampa and north of Clearwater. It is currently after 10 pm in Dunedin and it's 73 degrees with 59% humidity. Many people complain about the humidity in Florida. In August 2008, humidity got up to 97% almost every day according to the Wunderground.com daily almanac. Fortunately, there's always a beach nearby to take a dip in and cool off. Clearwater Beach is about 8 miles away and home to Sunsets at Pier 60. It has a street festival feeling. The last time I went there was a performer who juggled fire and his grand finale was fire breathing. He was a good performer and had a little comedy routine to go with his show. There are also plenty of boats along the Gulf Coast. Some of them will promise you dolphin sightings, some will take you out fishing and others will help you pretend to be a pirate for a couple hours. Pinellas Trail runs along the western edge of Dunedin. The trail is 34 miles long. Jogging, inline skating and bicycling are all allowed on the trail.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 36,000 residents in 2006. This makes it the same size as Cape Girardeau, Missouri, home of Southeast Missouri State University.
There is a Best Western and Holiday Inn Express in Dunedin proper. There are many more lodging choices in the neighboring towns of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa. The towns around Tampa Bay all flow together and can be difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins.
My pick of the week for lodging is Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater Beach. It's right on the beach and within walking distance to restaurants, souvenir shops and the boats. My vote for restaurants is Crabby Bill's. I have eaten there and the food was wonderful.
I learned a lesson this week. It will work out best for me if I close the city selection poll on Friday evening and publish the post Sunday evening. This will give me the weekend to do research, write it and proofread it.
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