West Edmonton Mall

Edmonton, Alberta is home to the largest shopping mall in North America. It's called the West Edmonton Mall and it was the first place I wanted to go when I arrived in Edmonton prior to my first trip to the remote camps. My friend that I was staying with happily obliged.

Inside the mall, there is an ice rink.

 

 

There is a wave pool.

 

 

There is a pirate ship, including seals in the surrounding moat and pool area (the mall is also accredited as a zoo)

 

 

and there is a full-sized theme park.

 

 

 The roller coasters looked absolutely terrifying but made for some great photos!

 

 

 

 

 Of course, there are also stores and services: over 800 of them to be exact. We managed to make it through without spending much other than time, but although it was my first trip there, I could guarantee it wasn't going to be the last.

Some Other Beginning's End

"Closing time. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." ~ Semisonic, 'Closing Time'

In January of 2015, I was preparing for yet another new beginning. My new job would take me to remote camps in the north of the province for up to three weeks at a time starting at the end of the month. I was excited to take on this whole new way of life: that was, after all, what I had come here for. But in the weeks leading up to my first day, I knew that I had already become adjusted to living under the mountains. I made the ten minute walk every day to my favourite perch, usually lugging my camera in case this was the day I could somehow get a different angle. Most often, I visited at sunset, sometimes rushing out of the house as I realized it was almost dusk in order to capture the majesty, the spectacular beauty, the.... well.... this...