Team Willms

We continued our westward trek around 8am. By 8:20 the whole car was in an uproar about needing more treats and not having anything to do and how much longer til we’re at Grandma and Grandpa’s?!?!?

Things did settle down and soon enough we were in Lake Louise. We had both been looking forward to showing off this beautiful and fondly remembered site to the kids. We hadn’t factored in Progress, I guess. Didn’t expect the three tiers of packed parking and super massive numbers of tourists. The kids were more impressed by the lakeside rocks (for hopping) than the scenery. Fatigue and hunger took a toll on Micah who lost it a little. After a greasy, unsatisfying lunch in the village, we were couldn’t have been happier to get back on the road. “Only a one hour nap and a movie and we’ll be at the hotel,” I told the kids. Little did I know.

Shortly after Field we came to a stop at the end of a long line of cars. We found out there had been an accident on the highway and that it would take two to five hours before it was reopened. It was an easy decision to turn back rather than wait in line on the highway, and we ended up at the Field tourist centre, which had a playground and a pond with a beach! As far as the kids were concerned, this was our destination. They had a great time playing, and then buying souvenirs. Time passed, and by supper when the traffic was still backed up 10kms, we inquired about a room in town. It wasn’t exactly economical, and we weren’t sure whether we should go for it or try to figure something else out. We decided that free wireless would tip the balance.

So here we are, bunked down in Field, satisfied after an amazing supper at the restaurant across the street, with three happy kids, and one long day of driving ahead of us tomorrow.

Day Four lesson learned: Must build car games/songs repertoire. Movies and “just enjoy the scenery” only go so far.

We spent Day Three in Calgary. It was awesome to have the day with S, and also awesome to not be on the road. We had an early morning walk around the neighborhood and found an extensive play structure which kept our gang entertained for quite some time. Then we took the C-Train down to Eau Claire.

Day Three lesson learned: after we realized that the buckle was missing from the middle seatbelt in the back seat, we should have gone ahead and put the other second row seat in. We felt dumb having to take two cars for six people when our van is supposed to seat seven.

We had two fun surprises right as we arrived at Eau Claire: parrots, and a splash park. While being serenaded by a busker, the big kids got to hold parrots. They held them on their arms, on their shoulders, and on the top of their heads! I got to hold one too. I’m not sure who was more excited, us or the owner, who took obvious delight in his birds and in sharing them with others.

The kids all had a great time wading and splashing around even though we had no swimsuits with us. We had delicious chicken sawarma for lunch, and came out to find heavy winds and stormy skies. Ack, we had walked a good distance from the train station and had no jackets. Luckily, we only encountered a few drops of rain. Phew! Disaster averted.

K rolled in just as we finished round two of hot tubbing. Wow do our kids love the water. Joshua was doing all kinds of daring moves in there, dunkeroos included.

Soon afterward S had to head to work for a night shift and invited us for a tour of the fire station! It was awesome. The kids (and we) ate it up. We so appreciated it.

We wrapped up a terrific day with a lengthy conversation with K, conducted entirely in Geek.

The waterslide in Regina was awesome! We had a great time at the pool, followed by a really enjoyable meal at the hotel restaurant. We wanted to check out the Canada Day festivities at a supposedly nearby location. However our fatigue got the best of us and we turned our stroller and feet around before we found it. Eva was ready to hit the hay, and while Micah was tired, he still had some swimming to do. So I got Eva and Joshua bathed and ready for bed while Andrew and Micah slid and swam. Micah loves the water with a passion and that day decided that he was going to do some serious swimming. At the start he was swimming a few feet on his own, and by the end his sheer determination and perseverance had him swim two widths of the pool! Way to go Micah!

Night One lesson learned: A second floor poolside room is only fun during daytime hours.

Day Two driving was quite good, though it was a long day.

Day Two lesson learned: the recommissioned high back boosters did not in fact make car sleeping more comfortable, as intended. Kids too tall.

We rolled in to Calgary around 6pm and were greeted by S’s smiling face, beautiful home, and a delicious meal.

We got to enjoy the hot tub and to roast marshmallows and to catch up around the fire pit. So good.

Friday’s Destination: Travelodge, featuring Regina’s longest waterslide!

We were only an hour behind planned departure time, and the only thing we appear to have forgotten is to wash the fruit. Mom and Dad provided a motorcade escort which was awesome. Sudzy supervised. They were planning to accompany us for about 90 minutes but the rain started coming down pretty good and dampened the fun a little too much. Naturally, the rain slowed and stopped shortly after they turned for home.

About an hour in, there was some serious concern from the back of the vehicle regarding how much longer it would be, but now the kids seem to have settled in to their activities and distractions and are ready for the long haul. For his part, Joshie has been eating nonstop!

Andrew and I both love the beauty of the Prairies, and we’re looking forward to the scenery as we make our way west.