Edmonton Part2: A Big Weekend

I was spending the weekend alone in town and was looking forward to my more common types of exploring. Always on the lookout for a chance to get into nature I had found a great trail that sounded like it would be perfect. The North Saskatchewan River flows through the River Valley just outside of Edmonton and a running/cycling path stretches about 4 kilometers along its banks and provided the perfect location to walk and take some pictures of a river that was continuing to lead me around the cities of the Canadian west. The drive to The River Valley Nature Park was beautiful and by the time I hopped out of the car and stepped onto the path I was anticipating a great morning. Every half kilometer or so placards were placed describing the novelties of that particular part of the riverside. Some were interesting, drawing my attention to trees or rocks I may have missed but part of me regretted the intrusion of someone else's thoughts of what I should be looking at.

It ended up being a pretty good walk but by 11am I was starving and ready to move on. After a quick breakfast stop I turned the GPS on and let it lead me to Rexall Place, home of the Oilers and one particular point of interest that I couldn't imagine leaving Edmonton without visiting. I found the statue of Wayne Gretzky at the front of the building but tucked off to the side, not the place of prominence I had expected and was someone disappointed by that. Nevertheless I spent a few minutes there and snapped a couple of pictures before moving on.


For my Toronto friends.. I know the Wayner highsticked Dougie and screwed us out of our best chance of a cup in my lifetime. He's still a Canadian icon.. that pass to Lemieux in '87.. magic.

A quick shower and a change of clothes and I was in the back of a cab headed downtown Edmonton. I had intended to rely on the drivers suggestions as where I would find some fun but had little to suggest. I asked about a pub/patio area but he said there really wasn't one. I asked about shopping annexes and he suggested the downtown mall, no street shopping he said. He did finally mention a 'Taste of Edmonton' fair was just starting and there might be some people there so I agreed enthusiastically. He dropped me off and pointed me in the direction, of course the direction ended up being the totally wrong one. 

The wrong way though, for those who know me, often turns out to be the better way and this was no exception.

I had walked a block or two without seeing my life at all when I turned a corner and stumbled into a farmers market. I wandered up and down the aisles and sat enjoying the sun on a curb with a veggie dog. I was just wondering which way to go next when I heard guitars and drums start to warm up. As I followed the noise I heard a PA system turn on and a voice announcing the band and the music started. It was loud and energetic but with a real surf/ rockabilly edge. I came around the corner and was at the side of the small stage whereupon a great band 'The Raygun Cowboys' was belting out loud fast rocakabilly tunes. The audience was an odd group of families with young children dancing up front, a handful of local fans of the band who seemed to be not quite ready to rock out just after twelve noon and a group of Americans who had wandered over from a nearby Edmonton Indy car event.

The band was giving it their all and totally blew me away and when I bumped into the drummer in a nearby pub later that afternoon I made sure I told him how cool it was to randomly wander into such a great live street performance.

Wandering around Edmonton I had spotted a path running along the north side of the river and I was up early Sunday morning ready to explore that part of the city that also included the Government House and the Royal Alberta Museum. I had no intention of spending time inside these places on such a glorious day but I did enjoy wandering around the grounds as I drank my morning Starbucks.

I followed the path for about a kilometer until I came across a staircase that climbed probably 300 meters up the river valley and would offer a great view of the North Saskatchewan River. 15 minutes later I was at the top and after taking a moment to admire the view I followed a street that ran along the top of the valley. Massive houses lined the way and I saw two chauffeured cars on the road waiting with engines running for probably important folks about to do important things. I continued down the street hoping that it would eventually lead back to where I parked but it kept leading me away so when I came across a path that led down a ravine towards the path that had led me to the staircase I decided to take a chance and see if it provided a shortcut.

I clambered down the path grabbing roots and small branches to keep from sliding out of control. I wasn't wearing the right shoes for this at all (a continuing theme in my travels..) and without any water I suddenly realized what a stupid thing I was doing. Stubborn as always I pushed on, or rather, down the ravine not sure if the path I was following was actually not a path at all. Steeper it got until I came crashing out at the bottom at the side of a small stream. The water was cool and I stood in my bare feet for few minutes and pondered my position. I couldn't see a path of any sort on the other side of the ravine and with a sigh realized I would to have to climb back up the way I came and back to the 'established' path. It took almost an hour to work my way back up the slope and another hour to get back to my car where I thirstily emptied the two bottles of water in the car.

Back to the hotel to clean up and then I found a patio not far from the hotel and settled in for a late of afternoon pint and meal. Later that night another colleague would be joining me in town so I was happy to spent the last few hours sitting quietly by myself with a book.