5C's Que Pasa

So an architect hires Colin to take a photo of his building design.

This is what the camera sees even with an $8000.00 camera.

So after Colin shoots that first photo, this is what he creates for the final image.

However this final image required two hours of expertise in photoshop.  Note that in addition to adjusting the building perspective, Colin had to create new pavement, the traffic road lines, remove construction signage and generally tidy the shot including drop in a new garbage can, add shadows and highlights, etc.  This is a very small example of what he does.  Some images can take up to one to two full days just for the single final image which results in an image 30 feet long.

Just another day in the life of Colin.

I really like staying at the Varscona Hotel in Edmonton.  For $140.00 before tax I get a great room ( as per my photos two posts ago ) with many amenities including shower cap, premium soaps and cremes, shampoo & conditioner, etc. and an opening window not to mention a very comfy chair.   It is all about location and being central plus my chiropractor is only a few blocks away.  Every morning they have a full buffet breakfast ( a value of $18.00 ) and then there is the wine and cheese 😆

After seeing my chiropractor Saturday morning and finding out that my treatment had held, I was good to go. He also gave me a wee touch up just to solidly everything .  It is a good idea to walk after a treatment and so I did but I didn’t have as much time Saturday as I had on Friday.  This photo is from my Friday stroll.  I noticed the streetcar crossing sign, walked across the tracks and figured it was not a current sign.

I was almost 3/4 of a block past the crossing when I heard an unusual sound.  Could it be?  By the time I turned and ran back the streetcar had passed.  I managed to catch this photo.

Where was it going? Where did it come from? Who uses this? Is it part of the transit system or a tourist thing?  I want to go on it next time.

After my shortened walk, compared to my 8000 steps on Friday, I barely had time to collect my luggage from the concierge and meet my long time friend Libby.  We graduated from nursing school way back in 1973.  Libby, as many of you know has MS, but nothing stops her.  She is of one the most independent people I know not to mention strong willed.  Libby insisted on driving from the North side of the river to the South side to pick me up in her specially equipped van.  Colin and I had picked up some things that Libby wanted moved to Edmonton from where she stays in the winter in Lake Havasu.  Much easier for us to bring back in the RV than for her to try and deal with it in her small carry on luggage each spring plus I always travel to Edmonton to see my chiropractor during the summer.  As a Westjet member I don’t have to pay for my first piece of checked luggage so it all worked out.

Once we parked in her garage we went across to an Italian restaurant nearby.  The place is so popular that I couldn’t get anyone to take our picture until we were ready to leave.  I ordered a penne fettuccine that was served hot and perfectly cooked and they used fresh mushrooms.  Because I was going out for dinner later I didn’t eat the entire order, although I really wanted to as it was so good.  Instead Libby got the leftovers and she will have a prepared meal in the fridge.  Once again thank you my special friend for lunch.

Libby lives on the 10th floor of a high rise over looking the North Saskatchewan River. Her view to the left. She sees so much from her huge windows, from activity on the river including dragon boats, fireworks, the colors of the changing seasons and much more.  There are several paths between her and the river, biking, walking, including the Trans Canada Trail which you can see in this photo.

I had never heard about this trail before.  Most interesting, be sure to Google it for more information.  This is an excerpt from an online article about the trail.

The view to the right from Libby’s windows. These photos were taken through the window. Yes she has a lovely balcony but there is an almost 12 inch step up onto the balcony itself which of course a wheelchair is unable to manage.

My time with Libby went much too fast.  Suddenly my phone was ringing to let me know that my friends Jannose and Colin were waiting downstairs.  They had come to pick me up so that we could enjoy a dinner together before they dropped me at the airport.  I really can’t remember when I first met them but it was likely forty years ago.  So Ena ( who I mentioned in my first Edmonton post ) is my oldest friend in Edmonton, from grade six.  Then came Libby whom I met in 1971 and then Jannose and Colin give or take 40 years ago.

A very bad photo by our server. We were at Earl’s enjoying a discounted happy hour dinner with a variety of appetizers.  When we first sat down there were clouds in the sky and then the sun came out and I could feel the heat of the sun.  Good thing I had my hat.

The food was fabulous. I  have to check if the Earls here in Kelowna has the same happy hour deal.  We dined, wined and chatted for over two hours.  Afterwards we headed to a new mall right next to the airport to walk around and to wear off all that food.  We also checked out the Sketchers walking shoes that Dee, a blog reader, had recommended.  Jannose will probably buy them but the arch support was not quite high enough for me.

Thanks to Jannose and Colin I got to the airport with enough time to relax before my flight.  Within ten minutes of them dropping me off, thank you again for the ride, I discovered that my flight has been cancelled 😯   You can read about that episode and what came after here.  Wow 😯  Nothing I could do but go with the flow.  Looking back I realized that between Friday night and Saturday night I got just about eight hours sleep.  It takes me a while to get used to a new bed and pillow and air flow or lack of in a new place.  Sadly the room that the airline provided was older, smelly and on the ground floor.  I did not feel safe in opening the window and the A/C kept me awake all night.  That is once the kids stopped running up and down the hall 👿

Got to the airport at 6AM as I had been told to do and unsuccessfully was unable to check in.  So after discovering that my 7:45AM flight was also cancelled, I finally went on to go through security.  I managed to catch the sunrise while in line.

It says that the estimated wait time is 15 – 20 minutes.

It was over 35 minutes and then there was my personal pat down due to my two hip replacements.

After my free breakfast  ( see last post ) I went to the Priority Pass lounge.  Remember the credit card that Colin got before we left for Europe, the one that has no 2.5% foreign exchange fees.  Well it also comes with a free membership to the Priority Pass system with lounges all over the world, close to 1000 if not more.  We get six free entrances within one year ( then it renews year after year ) and then pay a mere $27.00 after that should we need more lounge visits.  I was surprised to see these prices but it does say that everyone is welcome.

I was  also surprised to see how lovely this lounge was, quiet, good light, lots of privacy as well an amazing array of food.  Having just eaten I was not hungry but it was nice to sit in a quiet area for 90 minutes and relax.  Great value for this new credit card, no foreign exchange fees, $345.00 annual amount of use in premium lounges, all included plus a one time $250.00 amount added to our travel bonuses.   Not bad for a credit card fee of $159.00 annually.  Neither Ena nor Jannose & Colin who all have the same membership have tried out the Edmonton lounge.  It’s great, go for it.  Also close to the USA and international gates.

View from the lounge looking down.

Another prop job but it did get me home.

The last flight that I was booked on, finally left about 30 minutes late but made up some time in the air.  I was so very glad to get back to Kelowna. While unpacking I noticed  that my very secure and heavy duty TSA luggage lock was missing as well as my ID luggage tag.  Nothing inside my suitcase was missing.  However it will cost about $20.00 to replace those items.  Fortunately when I contacted Westjet this morning to ask about compensation for my inconveniences I was given a $100.00 credit to my travel account which I was able to bump up to $130.00.  All’s well that ends well.

We got up to 99F today and are still socked in with smoke.  No matter, I am happy to be in my own home.

Yes, plural!  I got the airport about 8:45PM Saturday night to catch my 11:00PM flight back home to Kelowna.  It had been cancelled due to a mechanical is what I was told.  They had sent me an email but I was busy all day and never even looked at my computer.

Just as I was getting the news at the Westjet desk my friend Libby was calling me on my cell to tell me that my flight was cancelled.  She had looked it up on the computer and found out just before I did.  The airline put me up  in a very low end Ramada Inn near the hotel for the night.  They gave me a $15.00 voucher to used at an airport kiosk ( before security ) for water and snacks.  They refused to accept the coupon.  So I bought water then took the shuttle to the hotel.

Got to the hotel, called Colin etc.  Worked out that I had to leave the hotel by 6AM to check in and get through security in time to be at the gate by 7:10AM when boarding started.  I did not sleep well due to a lot of noise in the hallway.  Last time I saw the clock was at 3:00AM and the alarm went off at 5:15AM.

Imagine my surprise when on check in I discovered that my flight was again cancelled due to mechanical issues.  Now departing at 10:00AM.  I was given a voucher for $15.00 for breakfast.  By now I was hungry as dinner had been around 6PM so I ordered a lovely three cheese omelet but was only able to eat half.

I put as much as I could into my checked luggage so that I had less to carry but that included my electronic computer, phone and camera cords.  Therefore this is just a brief update post.  The rest of my trip in Edmonton will be posted later with photos, etc.

Meanwhile I am tired and doing the best I can to cope with an eleven hour delay.  Fingers crossed that my flight leaves in two hours.

It is time to get my body back to normal after my three falls.  Through muscle testing I could tell they my body is totally out.  I went for a massage this last Tuesday to help loosen my muscles so that my Edmonton chiropractor would have something easier to work with.  I was surprised at how tight I was through my neck, back and chest, all likely related to my heavy falls.  I come here  to Edmonton once per year to see Dr McKenna as he gets me perfectly aligned and I generally stay that way for a year.  Colin came with me last year but I am on my own this time.  This is a link to the Australian doctor who taught Dr. McKenna while studying in London, England.  He is one of three Canadians who knows this particular very effective treatment.  More detail can be found here.

This is my 5th year coming to see Dr. McKenna. The first time we were in the RV.  Mostly because the shuttle from the airport stops here at the Varscona Hotel I now spend the night here.  Colin came with me last year and I really miss him right now.

So many perks, including the thick robes, the umbrella, bikes at no charge to roam around the area, wine and chesse every day from 5:30 to 6:30, a full buffet breakfast and so on.  Well worth the price that keeps dropping each year as I become a regular.

The water here in Edmonton has added fluoride which I will not drink so I went out to buy a large bottle of water and a bottle of wine.  I saw this is the store.  This is one of the wines that we drink in our home and the wine in the box that I recently purchased several cases of at a mere $32.00 per box.  Quite the difference in price.

I love the variety of signs I see each time I come here.  New arrivals, vegan shoes.  It seems that this is the next newest on dit.

What ever is duck waffle?  Especially at $21.00!

I was amazed at my chiropractic appointment today.  I had a rib out on the right side.  My L3 and L4 were out as well as my sacroiliac and my S1 and S2.  Dr.  McKenna said that I was rather complicated this time as I had three different areas out.  I love how he proves to you what your problem area is before he even treats you.  Basically he has you hold in place the area he wants to treat and proves to you via muscle testing that this is how that particular area will be corrected.  And it worked.  Just as the first area was treated,  I felt so much better overall.  When he was done I felt lighter and freer.

The most important thing that came to light was that my right side/ thigh to toe ( which I had observed just a few days ago  while walking in new shoes  in  which I was turning my foot out to the right ) was now normal after a very simple treatment.    I was given back my life.  Dr McKenna believes that something was out of wack with me even before the trip to Europe.  He said that I should no longer be tripping ( as long as I remained in balance ).   So of course my first thought was to come and get an adjustment next May before we leave on our next major trip to Europe.

After a treatment one should walk for a bit.

There were several such homes in the area I walked through.

I really liked this home complete with carriage house.

Built in 1912.

I next met Ena for lunch, a very special friend that I have had since grade six. This was the first time that we had seen each other in three years.  It seemed that we had just been together yesterday, our conversation just kept going as if we had never been apart.

I found it very sad to say goodbye this time.

Always something to see here on Whyte  Avenue.

I went for a long walk after Ena left.  I found this very old tree trunk most interesting.

I walked as far as the river valley but there was no way I was going down those stairs  as I knew that I would only have to climb back up.  Not today!!!

I found a break in the trees were I could get a shot of  part of the city skyline.

Once back at the hotel I downloaded the photos I took today and dealt with my many emails.

I moved downstairs to the daily wine and cheese offered by the hotel.  The same wonderful server I spoke with last year was there today.  She told me that my favorite, Pinot Grigio,  had been featured yesterday.  Today we were being offered a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay from an Ontario Vineyard.  Both of the vines were 14%…wow!  I don’t normally enjoy a Chardonnay but this one had very little oak that I could taste and it was very enjoyable.  Difficult to see my wine glass to the right of my computer as well as my cheese plate.  You can see the wines over my shoulder  to my left.

I had a lovely selection of cheeses to the point that I chose not to go out to dinner later.  So instead I worked on this post and had a nice soak in the tub before I called it a night.

Now that I am feeling better I am working on getting several to do’s off the list.  So much to do and so little time to do it in.  It seems like  I am whirling about like a mini tumbleweed.  We are leaving earlier this fall as we have extra travel plans on the agenda ( not yet organized ) before we head to our beloved Isla de la Piedra.

One of the priorities was to get the RV ready to travel and this included getting the carpets professionally cleaned.

We have done this every year since moving here in 2003 with no problem.  However this year we are in the newly rebuilt storage facility here in our RV park.  The park was flooded last May as was the storage area in June.  We were evacuated from our home and at one point we had to rescue our RV from the storage area.  Click here for that post.  So we were able to move back into the newly redone storage space just four weeks ago.  Not only a new base to drive on but a redesigned layout with much tighter spaces.  It took us a while to get into our spot.  We were fortunate that we could put our living room slide out and still be within the perimeter of our space.  However on the passenger side the bedroom slide went over about 14 inches.  There was a boat stored there and the boat could easily be moved in or out even with our slide put out.  We put the slides out late on the Wednesday and the carpet cleaner was there at 830AM on Thursday.  We were planning to put the slides back in midday Friday once the carpets were dry.  We were both out Friday morning and I came home to two phone calls and an email from the park.  We were not allowed to put our slides out, etc, it was a storage lot.  Period.  No matter that we have been getting our carpets and at times the upholstery cleaned there for 15 years.  New rules.  No idea how we will get the carpets cleaned next year.

Our newish mountain ash tree has hundred of berries this year to the point that the lower branches were almost touching the grass.  I did online research to no avail, called my yard guy and didn’t know either so Colin just went out and started sniping off the berries.  He did cut off quite a few as you can see on the ground but we have no idea if we did the right thing.  Now a few weeks later the berries are starting to droop from the upper branches.  What to do?

We kill our weeds the natural way with boiling water.

There is a tiny space between our driveway and the road that is a magnet for dirt and weeds.

So Colin ( yes Colin is the physical to do person, I do the mental/planning and detailed stuff ) cleaned out the area.

Then started applying a cold press asphalt to fill in the space.

I was the one who came up with the idea and did the research on finding the product which took about two weeks of back and forth phone calls.

Early morning visitor.  First time ever we have seen a raccoon here.

Once he spotted us he went down the neighbors rocks and across to our beach.  I just barely caught him at the base of our stairs.  He was moving fast.

Last week we had our annual meeting with our financial advisor and we continue to do very well.  No worries about running out of money to continue our travels.  Afterward he treated us to lunch at the Yacht Club.  View from our table.  No smoke last week.

I am on a quest to find the perfect walking shoe. After six hours it was obvious that this one was a no go. It took over two hours for the dent on my big toe ( due to the shoe’s toe strap ) to disappear.

Not quite sure what was going on here.  Papa in the yellow kayak was towing the black rubber raft with a child in it.  An older child in the blue kayak was towing the pink raft with nothing in it.  Oh well it was fun to watch.

Every time I see a kayak or canoe on the lake I wonder why we aren’t out there.  Soon I hope.  Physically I am finally ready but now we are living in smoke.