Alberta 2014

I spent the second part of my vacation visiting my cousin Stacey in Alberta. We hit up Build-A-Bear, shopped for shoes, and ate at the coolest little sushi place I'd seen in a while. (Not necessarily in that order) 

I also got to meet her niece, my cousin David's daughter Dylann. With her perpetually-surprised look, that child was a tonne of fun! We all had supper together, provided by my gracious aunt Carol, and it was a rare treat for me to sit around a table with family and enjoy a homecooked meal.

Stacey and I spent a full day touring the Rockies, starting at Lake Minnewanka.
It was a little strange to walk out on the lake, and find myself at a cabin, built on platforms that sat right on the ice. Wow, was it beautiful!

We then made our way to Banff for a dip in the hotsprings, and a walking tour for some photos of this incredibly picturesque town.

We donned some finery and had a little black dress party for two at the Banff Grizzly House. This place was to die for: the decor fantastic, and the food, out of this world. We had fondue: lobster and beef for me, buffalo, wild boar, and venison for Stacey. You could get rattlesnake, alligator, ostrich, and all kinds of other exotic meats, but we stuck with what we knew and it did not disappoint. For dessert? Fruit with melted Toblerone for dipping. 

Because that's how us high-end folks in little black dresses roll. :)

Just driving through the mountains on the way back to Calgary was an experience, and I took this out of a moving car window, with my phone no less!

On my last day, we travelled to Red Deer, where Stacey was officiating a mens roller derby bout that would see the Glenmore Reservoir Dogs face off against the Red Deer Dreadnaughts. I had actually added a day to my stay so I could attend, and couldn't wait to set my lenses on some derby guys in action.

Flustercluck might have been my favourtie derby name ever.

There was a bake sale fundraiser that included a definite reminder that I was back in Canada. Mmm... these cupcakes...

Also worth mentioning were the radical and somewhat questionable wardrobe choices that had me giggling in my seat:

 Yes, those are Superman socks, capes included.

Sparkly disco shorts? Sure, why not?

You have a problem with it? Go ahead, tell them. I dare you.I believe THIS is the complaints department!

Personally, I know I have no complaints at all!