Elk Island

 

Our second day on the road was another long day, but a little better only 8 hours in the car. It rained most of the drive off and on, at times heavily. But for the most part was uneventful. This stop is Elk Island National Park which is just east of Edmonton. We pulled in via the north entrance which was unmanned so I jumped out and grabbed a guide quick and handed it to Becky, she preceded to tell us about the park in her miserable version of French. I didn't read the sign and had grabbed the French version. It provided some good entertainment as we did our best to interpret the differences between the plains and the wood buffalo.We got an English version when we registered to camp… and we were way off… it was a smaller beard. We pulled into our campsite which was like street parking style and had to setup in the rain. 

I made some chili and almost burned down the camper again trying to make some cinnamon rolls. The oven is broke again at the oven gas line, so pilot light is good but it leaks when turning the oven on. Since I had chili on the stove top its burner started the leaking propane and the whole oven top went up in a giant flame. Marcus was impressed with how calmly I dealt with it as it was pretty scary. It had happened before a couple years ago (where I did freak out), there really is no greater teacher than experience. I’m pretty bummed as I love, LOVE the camper oven. Muffins, cinnamon rolls, and don’t forget pizza. So much pizza has been made in that oven. But no longer, not this trip. I don’t know how I’ll be able to get it fixed. I didn’t bring the flange kit I used to fix it last time and it actually looks pretty good not sure why it won’t seal. 

This stop we took a down day from driving for Lucas’ birthday. We let him pick what we did. I was thinking, hiking, swimming, and catch a movie. He picked go have lunch, book store, mini golf, and a movie. At least I got one right. And we couldn’t swim anyway the beach was closed down due to a blue-green algae bloom. So we spent the day at the Edmonton mall. What a mad house that thing was. Got everything in, it was a fun day but exhausting we were completely malled out and just wanted to be back home in the camper. That night we burned up the rest of the wood and got to bed we were dead horse style tired. Another long drive day ahead tomorrow. 

Here’s a few pictures from this stop. Didn’t see any buffalo except way out in a field.

Marc reading his book. Every one but me is tearing through books.

Rained most of the day. Got soaked setting up in the rain. Then hung out in the camper until it finally stopped in the evening and then sat out having a fire. I’m the last one in as usual and I’m getting ready for bed. Becky yells stop banging around it’s 11:00. “What?!?” I had completely lost track of time felt like maybe 9:30 as it was still mostly light out. Guess we’re getting up north.

So the oven debacle left two pans of rolls open with no way to cook them. So our attempt at make shift individual ovens over the fire. Took forever but came out good enough. Bottom crisp, top raw, middle just right. Something for everyone. 

Astotin Lake

Luke and Marc are thrilled to take a selfie with me.

Lady and a lake

Same lake in the morning, different island

Since we weren’t hiking Marc and I got a run in. Not together mind you he’s way too fast even at his slowest setting. Camp ground was well developed so didn’t take the bear spray along I didn’t want to look silly. Running along there was a big gate through a high fenced in area that seemed to run along most of the developed area, felt like Jurassic Park (which we saw the new one later in the day). Was wishing I had taken bear spray as the gate got your mind thinking about what they are keeping out. It was a narrower trail and heavy forest further away from the lake, about a mile in I caught the musky scent of a large animal. Never saw anything but had my hackles up for sure. I didn’t care so much about looking silly at that point.

Into the belly of the beast. The Edmonton West Mall. It was a Monday morning and the place was hopping. A lot like the mega mall but being older some of the hallways were narrow making it feel a little more like a regular mall.

Lucas chose Boston Pizza for lunch.

Walking along and there’s a seal show going on below. Went further and there was a girls hockey game going on. It was super loud by the ice rink. 

Next stop mini-golf. We got turned down by the first coarse we went to too many players try again later. So we walked across the mall to the other one. Glow in the dark mini golf who knew. It was fun, the other course didn't look this good.

Group picture with the wizard. Luke’s half fake tooth is always fun with a black light.

Above our campsite. Seagulls were circling. Must have known it was supper time.