Heading Home (Humboldt) for the Weekend

Not long ago my buddy Darren enquired if I had plans for the July 20th weekend and if we were available to help celebrate his parents Tony and Sandy Stroeder's 40th anniversary.

As Chrissy and I didn't have plans we set in motion a trip back to my hometown to help celebrate one of my favorite/best hockey and baseball coaches of my youth. It was a no brainer decision for us...Drive 6 hours each way along blooming canola field to visit family, some old friends and eat way too much. That's just a good time.

We headed out Friday after work arriving in Saskatoon at mom's a little late in the evening, but not too late for a quick drink on the patio at Specklebellys.  The next morning we breezed through the 2nd Avenue Sidewalk sale (no purchases but the following picture) before meeting Stephanie and family at the Saigon Rose for lunch.

From there we headed out to Humboldt for the big anniversary party. We actually ended up being the first to arrive -Which was great as we got a guided tour of the impressive Stroeder backyard garden.

Eventually, other well wishers showed up including my buddy Jeff (Son #1) who I probably haven't seen in about 7 or 8 years. Much like myself, he had a few grey hairs and a couple of extra pounds but he definitely earned them through raising 3 kids.

Eventually, Darren (Son #2) and his entourage from Oragami Accounting showed up. Their arrival was almost comical; as a group they are a motley bunch of all ages, physical sizes and ethnicity. Shortly after Darren and his crew arrived we headed out for a touch football game at the site of my old HCI Mohawks glory days at Glen Hall Park.

It was a humbling experience being back on the old field a dozen plus years later and a lot slower. Thankfully I was playing a bunch of accountants and computer programmers (zing!).

After spraying my sweaty self down at the local campground Chrissy and I took a quick run out to Humboldt Lake (Stony Lake) to check out my brother Lawrence's cabin. Much to Lawrence and Betty's surprise we got a quick visit and tour of the cabin. It's amazing to see the difference in the building within a short time. Lawrence did an awesome job - pictures to come in a future post.

We got back to the Stroeder's in time to raid the giant food spread and get in some more visiting.

Jeff, who is now a Vice Principle had some fantastic tales of elementary school children. If you happen to see him ask for the 'Juicebox' story.

We capped the night off with some pictures before rushing back to Saskatoon.

The Stroeder Family

Tony and Sandy on their 40th

Jeff and Family

Jeff and myself

Sunday for lunch we joined Stephanie and her family for a bbq lunch at her house. Even with renovations ongoing they were fantastic hosts. We didn't visit for too long though as the Yellowhead was calling.

On the way out to Saskatoon from Edmonton we marvelled at the full color of the Canola crops and on our return we stopped to take a few pictures.

I am sure there is more canola planted this year then any other year ever. We pontificated that prices were high and sure enough, it is pretty high.

Nearing Edmonton we stopped at one of our usual pit-stops; the gas station along the highway in Innisfree.

I initially sat on an ant hill, and once I de-anted myself I was accosted by a grasshopper. Obviously a plague of biblical proportions was upon me.

We stretched our legs with a little wedding waltz practice and then continued on home from my homeland pilgrimage.

It was good to see the old hometown and my Saskatchewan family and friends. Thank you to the Stroeder's for the invite. Congratulations again on 40 years.

Saskatoon Visit

On the Labor Day weekend of this year I headed back to Saskatchewan to do some old fashioned labor and help my brother Lawrence shingle the roof at his cabin. I headed out straight from work at noon on Friday and made it to Saskatoon just in time to pick up my nephew Liam and head out to the Huskies Football game.

It was the season opener and also Military night and the place was packed and jacked for the season to begin. They even had a couple of jets come fly over. It was awesome - literally no one seems to care about collegiate football in Alberta and in Saskatoon they have freaking jets!

Sunset at Griffiths Stadium.

The Huskies won easily, embarrassing the visiting University of Alberta Golden Bears 32-0.

We hung out after the game to see the celebratory fireworks. It was great being back in Saskatchewan to watch a football game. The good folks in the province really understand and appreciate the game.

I got to Lawrence's at Humboldt Lake (aka Stony Lake) mid morning on Saturday and we promptly got to work.  The non-sided structure is the new addition that Lawrence built to attach to our old Humboldt Mini-Golf Office / Greenwater Cabin A.

We stripped the shingles off one side of the old cabin revealing the bare plywood - which was in surprisingly good shape.

You can see the plywood stamped from its original purchase and build of the cabin - 1983. I have some memories of the original construction at the time, but I don't know if I fully 'trust' them. I remember it being pretty hot and Geoff and Dad seemingly pounding nails for what seemed forever.

The view from the roof as Lawrence fixes the staple gun.

We didn't get as much of the work done as we intended as the weather played havoc on us with rain and wind. Thankfully we were able to get some work done and put down a protectant before the rain soaked into the attic.

A little physical work was actually a good divergent activity from my usual life in the office. It also didn't hurt that I got to hang out with Mom a little bit, visit quickly with Auntie Olga and Richard and have a couple of my favorite snacks prepared for me - taco salad, fruit salad.

Bonus - I claimed some trippy pillows for my place that Mom made.

Grey Cup

This year Edmonton hosted the 98th Grey Cup. To celebrate the big game the downtown of Edmonton was transformed and for once was really fun. The 'Festival' around the game officially kicked off on a Wednesday and I took every chance I could to celebrate the Riders being in the big game.

The downtown kickoff party

 Rider superfan "The Flame" and fireworks erupting out of city hall.

When the politicians got up to the podium to speak I decided to take a walk. Directly behind and completely unbeknown to the masses assembled the Grey Cup was just sitting there waiting to make it's entrance.

 The Grey Cup organizing crew did a fantastic job of creating a football themed festival complete with multiple displays and interactive football activities. I of course loved the Rider displays.

 Christina actually has pretty good form (for a girl). Her delivery is so quick the camera can barely pick it up.

One of the biggest attractions was the Capital Power zipline. I never went myself, mostly just because I'm too impatient to wait in line. My co-worker Jeff is enjoying the ride in the right picture.

I really liked this sign-post centered in our downtown. I, in all seriousness think they should have kept it as a permanent sign.

When tickets went on sale for the Grey Cup months ago I weighed whether not it was worth buying tickets. I really wanted to go but was seriously strapped for cash at the time, and then they sold out. When the Riders actually made the big game ticket prices from websites went through the roof. I pretty much wrote off being able to go to the game. Then when I was walking around checking out the sites on Saturday Daniel phoned and said he had a couple of extra tickets. I jumped at the opportunity and went into a self-imposed exile to make sure I was in good shape for the game.

Gameday prep. To ensure that I would stay warm for the outdoor game I got suited up in my Rider gear and increased my fried chicken intake at KFC.

The magical ticket from Daniel. He got it free from work. Needless to say Daniel's boss is cool.

 We had pretty stellar seats. Nine rows back around the 10 yard line wear the teams were introduced.

 The mighty Rider offense.

 Old man Calvillo is unstoppable.

 Looking to inspire the fans and the Riders this idiot de-robed and tried to get a cheer going.

 As you can see the dude above had more bravery than brains as it was freezing outside. Daniel, Christina and I were getting pretty chilled in our seats. Somehow cold beer didn't warm us up. Weird.

Even though the Riders lost the game 21-18 to the Alouettes it was a great week of celebration and football. Thanks again to Daniel for the tickets to the game - I owe you a kidney or something...

More pictures Click Here.