IS THIS MONTH'S JOURNEY
April, 2008
After a short time at our home in Ontario, reacquainting ourselves with the neighbours and getting a little yard work done, we packed a mess of warm clothing for western Canada, the Yukon and Alaska. We had a little preventative maintenance done on the motor home and, despite the fact that gasoline prices had hit an all time high; it was time to hit the open road once again.
Crossing the Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River that separates Windsor, Ontario from Detroit, Michigan, you get a bird’s eye view of the glass skyscrapers that makes up downtown Detroit. This city was made world famous by Henry Ford as “The Motor City” and more recently by the music icons like the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and of course The Supremes as “Motown”. The river itself is famous for what lies beneath this bridge of steel and concrete and far below the fast current of the water itself. 
That is, one of the world’s largest concentrations of sea salt. These salt deposits were left behind after the ancient oceans receded and evaporated more than 400 million years earlier and are still being mined today. In addition to the salt deposits under the river, 1,200 feet underneath the industrial heart of Detroit lies a gigantic abandoned salt city, which was still in operation until 1983. The mine, formerly operated by the International Salt Mine Company, spreads out over more than 1,400 acres and has 50 miles of roadways.
Doesn't your indoor cat also deserve a KITTY KAT KABANA?
While skirting the south shore of Lake Michigan, and being within a stone’s throw of Chicago, we had to make a brief stop into this windy city. I’m not sure whether it was to visit the city itself, made so famous by Elliot Ness in the 1959 TV series “The Untouchables” or maybe to see if we might catch a glimpse of the ghost of Elliot’s nemeses Al Capone? We had chosen an inconspicuous restaurant; known to have been a favourite of Capone’s, to grab a bite. As we entered the restaurant, I noticed that every inch of the walls were covered with photographs and memorabilia of Capone and his cronies. As we sat there eating our Italian sandwiches, I sensed the ghostly presence of the notorious gangster himself. Sitting in a back booth, dressed in a black pin stripe, a canary yellow silk shirt, matching silk tie and handkerchief, a cream coloured wide-brimmed hat, a Racoon coat draped over the back of the booth, and of course, the image wouldn’t be Capone unless one finger was donning a boulder size diamond, while holding a big black cigar. There, sitting with his underlings, their machine guns barely out of view, while Al’s 38 sits in plain sight beside his whisky glass, cocked, ready for the expected as he plans his archrival’s demise.
Over the next few days we whizzed by Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota (which we will see in more detail when we have time later in this trip). Through the province of Saskatchewan, where the remains of last year’s
harvest is still evident with only a suggestion of spring green showing through straw coloured fields. Then, a quick drive through Regina, the Capital city and Northwest to Saskatoon. Greg had spent
five years of his life back in the 60’s teaching at the University of Saskatoon and wanted to revisit his past and see how it had changed. Then he took me on a University and City tour.
There are seven river crossings in the City of Saskatoon all built four lanes wide, back when there was only horse and buggy. Obviously, someone knew that the horseless carriage would be big someday. Because of its many river crossings, Saskatoon is called the "City of Bridges" (it is also occasionally referred to as "The Paris of the Prairies", for the same reason).
From Saskatoon, the highway parallels the North Saskatchewan River to North Battleford. There, we met a group of senior citizens (160 in total) that were on a river trip by canoe from Rocky Mountain House north of Calgary, Alberta
en route to Ontario. On the several thousand miles of waterways they will travel from Alberta to Ontario, they will have to portage only 150 miles. They called themselves the Voyagers.
Then, on to Edmonton, Alberta and the West Edmonton Mall. This mall is the fourth largest shopping mall in the world with over 800 stores, 23,000 employees and parking for 20,000 vehicles. Being this close to such an achievement of modern engineering, we had to take the time to check it out.
For the adventurous, there is the Galaxy Land. There thrills and spills await them in this indoor amusement park. I watched kids and adults alike as they rode the mindbender rollercoaster, where gravity pinned them to their seat, as they screamed through a triple loop. After such an exhilarating ride, they cooled off in the
world‘s largest indoor wave pool, where the weather is balmy every day of the year. Whether, its -30C or +30C outside, inside the temperature is a tropical +30C. You can splash, slide, climb in the wet, wild and wonderful Caribbean Cove. There are plenty of water activities, like miles of waterslides, bungee jumping for those who dare, hot tubs, and a play area for toddlers.
Under the glittering glass dome of the Ice Palace, we watched a group of future Olympians practice their artistry and polish their skills, as they prepare for an upcoming figure skating event. Great music and the sparkling lights around the rink add to the magic of the Ice Palace.
Ahead, the atmosphere felt sultry. The subdued lighting made it feel night-like, and for a moment, I thought we were back in New Orleans. No, this is Bourbon Street in the Edmonton Mall, where the aroma of Creole food permeates the air and the Cajun beat is contagious and where it’s Mardi Gras all year long.
Now, imagine yourself on a European adventure as you take in the sites along this unique and beautiful Europa Boulevard. Shop for high-end fashion designed by some of the top designers or stop in for coffee at the café on the corner or just sit on a patio and watch the people go by, as they do in Rome.
Then, if you not too tired, experience a taste of the Asian culture in the traditional Chinese market place, where a Koi pond is the center’s focal point surrounded by elements rich in symbolism to the Chinese, such as rocks, calligraphy, ornamental paving and the colours red and gold.
Just so, you aren’t cut off totally from the rest of the world, as you visit the mall; there are two Internet Café’s. The one we stopped in for an Espresso is conveniently located on the second floor above the bustle of famous Whyte Avenue.
In addition to the few exhibits I’ve mentioned and the hundreds I haven’t, there’s an inter-denominational Chapel, 3 radio stations, a petting zoo and a large-scale replica of the Santa Maria, one of the ships sailed by Christopher Columbus. It sits in a mini ocean, with four submarines ready to take people on a tour of the reefs below her hull. There is so much to do and see at the West Edmonton Mall that you need to spend several days just to take all of it in. Maybe another time, as for now, The Yukon waits.
Stay tuned as we next take you on the road to Northern BC and the Yukon
Crossing the Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River that separates Windsor, Ontario from Detroit, Michigan, you get a bird’s eye view of the glass skyscrapers that makes up downtown Detroit. This city was made world famous by Henry Ford as “The Motor City” and more recently by the music icons like the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and of course The Supremes as “Motown”. The river itself is famous for what lies beneath this bridge of steel and concrete and far below the fast current of the water itself. That is, one of the world’s largest concentrations of sea salt. These salt deposits were left behind after the ancient oceans receded and evaporated more than 400 million years earlier and are still being mined today. In addition to the salt deposits under the river, 1,200 feet underneath the industrial heart of Detroit lies a gigantic abandoned salt city, which was still in operation until 1983. The mine, formerly operated by the International Salt Mine Company, spreads out over more than 1,400 acres and has 50 miles of roadways.
Doesn't your indoor cat also deserve a KITTY KAT KABANA?
While skirting the south shore of Lake Michigan, and being within a stone’s throw of Chicago, we had to make a brief stop into this windy city. I’m not sure whether it was to visit the city itself, made so famous by Elliot Ness in the 1959 TV series “The Untouchables” or maybe to see if we might catch a glimpse of the ghost of Elliot’s nemeses Al Capone? We had chosen an inconspicuous restaurant; known to have been a favourite of Capone’s, to grab a bite. As we entered the restaurant, I noticed that every inch of the walls were covered with photographs and memorabilia of Capone and his cronies. As we sat there eating our Italian sandwiches, I sensed the ghostly presence of the notorious gangster himself. Sitting in a back booth, dressed in a black pin stripe, a canary yellow silk shirt, matching silk tie and handkerchief, a cream coloured wide-brimmed hat, a Racoon coat draped over the back of the booth, and of course, the image wouldn’t be Capone unless one finger was donning a boulder size diamond, while holding a big black cigar. There, sitting with his underlings, their machine guns barely out of view, while Al’s 38 sits in plain sight beside his whisky glass, cocked, ready for the expected as he plans his archrival’s demise.
Over the next few days we whizzed by Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota (which we will see in more detail when we have time later in this trip). Through the province of Saskatchewan, where the remains of last year’s
harvest is still evident with only a suggestion of spring green showing through straw coloured fields. Then, a quick drive through Regina, the Capital city and Northwest to Saskatoon. Greg had spent
five years of his life back in the 60’s teaching at the University of Saskatoon and wanted to revisit his past and see how it had changed. Then he took me on a University and City tour.There are seven river crossings in the City of Saskatoon all built four lanes wide, back when there was only horse and buggy. Obviously, someone knew that the horseless carriage would be big someday. Because of its many river crossings, Saskatoon is called the "City of Bridges" (it is also occasionally referred to as "The Paris of the Prairies", for the same reason).
From Saskatoon, the highway parallels the North Saskatchewan River to North Battleford. There, we met a group of senior citizens (160 in total) that were on a river trip by canoe from Rocky Mountain House north of Calgary, Alberta
en route to Ontario. On the several thousand miles of waterways they will travel from Alberta to Ontario, they will have to portage only 150 miles. They called themselves the Voyagers.
Then, on to Edmonton, Alberta and the West Edmonton Mall. This mall is the fourth largest shopping mall in the world with over 800 stores, 23,000 employees and parking for 20,000 vehicles. Being this close to such an achievement of modern engineering, we had to take the time to check it out.
For the adventurous, there is the Galaxy Land. There thrills and spills await them in this indoor amusement park. I watched kids and adults alike as they rode the mindbender rollercoaster, where gravity pinned them to their seat, as they screamed through a triple loop. After such an exhilarating ride, they cooled off in the
world‘s largest indoor wave pool, where the weather is balmy every day of the year. Whether, its -30C or +30C outside, inside the temperature is a tropical +30C. You can splash, slide, climb in the wet, wild and wonderful Caribbean Cove. There are plenty of water activities, like miles of waterslides, bungee jumping for those who dare, hot tubs, and a play area for toddlers.Under the glittering glass dome of the Ice Palace, we watched a group of future Olympians practice their artistry and polish their skills, as they prepare for an upcoming figure skating event. Great music and the sparkling lights around the rink add to the magic of the Ice Palace.
Ahead, the atmosphere felt sultry. The subdued lighting made it feel night-like, and for a moment, I thought we were back in New Orleans. No, this is Bourbon Street in the Edmonton Mall, where the aroma of Creole food permeates the air and the Cajun beat is contagious and where it’s Mardi Gras all year long.Now, imagine yourself on a European adventure as you take in the sites along this unique and beautiful Europa Boulevard. Shop for high-end fashion designed by some of the top designers or stop in for coffee at the café on the corner or just sit on a patio and watch the people go by, as they do in Rome.
Then, if you not too tired, experience a taste of the Asian culture in the traditional Chinese market place, where a Koi pond is the center’s focal point surrounded by elements rich in symbolism to the Chinese, such as rocks, calligraphy, ornamental paving and the colours red and gold.Just so, you aren’t cut off totally from the rest of the world, as you visit the mall; there are two Internet Café’s. The one we stopped in for an Espresso is conveniently located on the second floor above the bustle of famous Whyte Avenue.
In addition to the few exhibits I’ve mentioned and the hundreds I haven’t, there’s an inter-denominational Chapel, 3 radio stations, a petting zoo and a large-scale replica of the Santa Maria, one of the ships sailed by Christopher Columbus. It sits in a mini ocean, with four submarines ready to take people on a tour of the reefs below her hull. There is so much to do and see at the West Edmonton Mall that you need to spend several days just to take all of it in. Maybe another time, as for now, The Yukon waits.K&G somewhere on the road.
