Waiting in Canada [part 2] ...
SOLO ROAD TRIP: Sunday [2.5.2023] to Sunday [2.12.2023]
When I chose to drive to Canada in early February, I knew to expect cold weather and the possibility of snow. I even purchased tire chains, just in case. As if I still remembered how to put them on - it's been too long since I've needed the knowledge stored in my mind so I watched the instructional YouTube video as refresher.
The only time I felt slightly worried about driving in the snow was as I was leaving the public parking lot at Lake Louise. I would drive a few feet up the steep exit road and slide back to the bottom of the incline. The situation grew increasingly distressing as not just one but two vehicles drove up behind me and waited a safe distance away, watching as I struggled to make it up the hill. After several unsuccessful tries, hands clammy and face burning with embarrassment, I debated whether I should back up and allow the other cars to pass me. I tried again and maneuvered my car to the right where an embankment of unpacked snow allowed my tires find purchase and I finally made it out of the parking lot.
Lake Louise was almost completely frozen over and you couldn't even tell there was a lake with beautiful mountains in the distance. The landscape was nothing but ice and snow. There were people skating or walking along the frozen lake. It had its own kind of beauty but I have to admit, I prefer Lake Louise in the summer sans nyebe.
Lake Louise | Alberta, Canada
Frozen Lake Louise | Alberta, Canada
Lake Louise | Alberta, Canada
After a stressful hour of driving through slippery, snowy roads with shitty windshield wipers (note to self: next time I go on a road trip, make sure my windshield wipers are in top notch shape), the snow finally abated and I was finally driving on well-plowed highways toward Calgary.
I considered stopping at Calgary for dinner but my absolute dislike of big cities took over and I ended up driving right through without stopping. A couple of hours later, feeling hangry and needing to gas up, I stopped at Edo, a Japanese fast food restaurant in Red Deer, for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised (but not really) to find that every single person that worked there was Filipino. They were so cute as they called me "Ate" while they chatted with me a little. To be honest, I shouldn't be surprised anymore and should simply accept the fact that Filipinos are here, there, and everywhere.
After another half an hour on the road, I arrived at my cousin's house in Lacombe where I was greeted by one four legged friend, four precious nieces, my hospitable cousin & cousin-in-law, the most comfortable bed, and packages of ketchup chips and Tim Horton's coffee.
Don't get me wrong, it was great fun sleeping in my car for a few nights but having a warm shower then crawling into a wonderfully warm bed is definitely preferable after a few days of roughing it on the road.
The next day, my cousin and I took the doggo for a walk around their property then headed to Red Deer. We enjoyed a generous pierogi lunch at Hung Uke where we met the friendly owner and enjoyed his mom's delicious cooking. Then we walked around downtown Red Deer and the mall for yummy coffee and shopping.
Dog walking
Nyebe
My car is not used to this white stuff, hahaha!
Hung Uke | Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Owner of Hung Uke | Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
So yummy and filling!
Downtown Red Deer | Alberta, Canada
Blindman Brewing | Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
After hanging out with my cousin Myla for most of the day, we headed back to Lacombe where we enjoyed a delicious home cooked Filipino meal thanks to my Aunt. Everything was delicious and I remembered how my cousin and I discussed Filipino restaurants while we were in Red Deer. We agreed that we didn't really enjoy going out to eat for Filipino food because both our mothers are excellent cooks and anything we find outside of their kitchens just don't taste as good. By the end of the night, my belly and heart was full to the brim after spending time with my Canadian family.
Early the next day, I prepared to begin the second half of my journey but not before stopping by my alma mater Burman University (previously Canadian University College). I took pictures of my old haunts and walked around feeling nostalgic and grateful. It's amazing how the place still looks pretty much the same. Except for some fresh paint, upgraded interiors, and a couple of new structures, walking around campus felt incredibly familiar, especially with the campus blanketed with a thick layer of snow.
I was surprised to find my cousin JR when I walked into the newly built library. He works for the university and was in his professional work mode which was hilarious to me. I don't know about you, but I find it somewhat funny to see people I've known since childhood in their grown up incarnations. He took a break for a few minutes to show me around the new library. It's a beautiful, modern building with numerous large windows oriented toward picturesque views and to let in plenty of natural light. I would have spent a lot of time inside those walls if that library had existed during my time as a student there.
Burman University
Burman University
After saying goodbye to the place that held so many fond memories of my first husband [yeah, we're not going to expand on that], I began my long drive home to California.