Edmonton Friendship Force Journey

With Hosts and Officer Tran 

Following our time along the Ice Fields Parkway, we turned in our rental car at the Edmonton airport where our hosts , Grace and Richard Whitehouse picked us up for a stay at their beautiful condo overlooking the Sturgeon River in St. Albert, a beautiful city in the Edmonton metropolitan area. Officer Tran of the Royal Canadian Mounties attended the Edmonton Friendship Force Welcome Brunch at the St. Albert Botanic Garden just a short drive from the condo.  I asked Officer Tran if he knew Dudley Do-Right. He did not. Only a few in attendance knew Dudley!

Gorgeous Double Rainbow Over Sturgeon River ended our first day here!

Dinner and Breakfast at Our Host's Home - Grace is an exceptional cook!

At the St Albert Grain Elevator Park, we toured two historic grain elevators and also learned about the Metis, a people formed from the marriages of early French and Scottish fur traders with Ingenious Peoples. We learned that many Ukranians settled Alberta in the 1890's when the government offered free land grants. The railroad also encouraged immigration to the prairies from Ukraine and other European countries. 

St Albert Wheat Pool

At the Ukrainian Village, re-enactors take one back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries at the time many Ukrainians immigrated to Alberta.  We also had dinner at an Ukrainian café in a nearby town and visited a Ukrainian church museum.  The perogu was delicious!

Watch Joanne Wring Out Clothes

   Watch Wagon Come  Up Road

St Albert Farmer's Market is no ordinary market.  There are vendors with all kinds of products and food items.  It was an amazing place to spend the morning.

Edmonton Mall  is the largest in North America.  We enjoyed checking out the famous Hudson's Bay department store, the ice hockey rink, amusement park and a replica of Columbus' sailing vessel.  This mall has something for everyone.

Fort Edmonton Park is a big place with lots to see.  We loved the newly opened Indigenous People's Center, a ride on the old railroad, the fort and authentic recreated streets from the 1890's, 1905 and 1920's eras!

Fort Edmonton Park 

Train at Fort Edmonton Park

See a musket in action. 

Edmonton Library was truly amazing!  It is a hands on experience and offers much more than an "ordinary" library, e.g., sewing classes, printing in 3-D to name just a few. 

The Wall and 3D Printer

See the Dinosaurs move.